Formatted Laptop and Can't Reinstall Hoster

[pcgumshoe]

I have a show tonight (MONDAY) and over the weekend I formatted my HP laptop on account of when I installed XP SP2 I lost internet connectivity and had to revert which messed things up even worse.

When I attempt to reinstall Hoster, from version 2.0 to 2.213 v.3, I get an error saying that I am allowed to install it on two systems only. I only have two systems in my house and the laptop is the systme I was using last Monday.

What Has Changed:
When I bought the laptop originally from Best Buy, it was a floor model, so when I got it home, I reformatted it and installed a different version of Windows XP Pro on it (in other words I didn't use the restore disk) I also wanted to get rid of any unnecessary programs.

When I reformatted the first time this weekend, I used the restore disk and brought it back to the original HP configuration and used the HP site to auto-update all drivers and functionality. I also updated to Windows XP SP2 and everything worked like it should. Then I tried to install Hoster, no go... because of it see's two systems already installed on.

I then reformatted a second time and attempted to return the system to the Windows XP Pro Key that was on the system before (thinking that would make your system see the computer is the same when compared to the hardware components) again no go.

I need the system tonight and I emailed over the weekend. What should I do? I will email again.

It would be helpful to know WHAT we should do to maintain system integrety so that in the future when I (or we) format our systems we can know what to keep the same so your system recongizes it is the same computer... or perhaps have a "TRANSFER LICENSE" button. I own a more expensive piece of software called Sibellius and I have the same two computer license issue. There I can transfer the license between computers by releasing it from one.

[mousemaster]

Sorry to learn of your predicament I unfortunately have no advice to offer but like you I am keen to know how to overcome this problem, as I am in need of changing the hard drive in my lap top, which of course will then appear to be a different computer to MTU..

Good Luck



Mal

[Beavis]

there is a problem in your machine id# changing.


MTU knows of this problem. supposably it (machine ID#) changes and MTU had no idea about this. i think they are working on it now.


correct me if im wrong bryan.

[gduns - with the Lord]

as I am in need of changing the hard drive in my lap top, which of course will then appear to be a different computer to MTU..

.......If when you change the hard drivr on the computer, you have the old hard drive cloned to the new hard drive. you will accomplish two things. first you wont have to reload windows, and all the software. second, you will have a spare drive set up already for an emergency. (it takes about 5 minutes to plug in a laptop hard drive vs......... a bunch of time reloading.



Norton ghost will do the hard drive clone but on a laptop you will need to use adapters, and a desktop type computer. Most places will do the cloning for a reasonable fee.

[Beavis]

here is the thread

http://forum.mtu.com/showthread.php?...hlight=machine

[gduns - with the Lord]

I presume you are refering to the admin post that states that reinstalling windows may change the serial number, and it will make hoster think it is a different machine..

this is true. when you reinstall windows and you have to re-register microsoft gives you a different serial number. I have done this many times with customers.

when you do the Hard drive clone, you are retaining your old windows identity
and you wont have to re-register anything.

[Beavis]

i agree with gduns!

[mousemaster]

Cheers for the prompt response, I was aware of the option to clone but unfortunately I do not have the necessary software and adaptors, but I guess someone out there could do it for me.


Cheers
Mal

[MTUSUPPORT]

Emailed customer.