Hoster Registration Problem with 3303

[rbealo]

Just downloaded the latest Hoster. I uninstalled the last version (3301) as directed and now I can't install 3303. I get the attached screen blurb. Hoster has been on this computer since I originally purchased it from MTU a couple of years ago. I have had no previous problems with upgrades. The only major change to the computer is the recent swap out of the hard drive for a higher capacity model. I moved everything from the old drive to the new drive with Maxblast 4.0. Everything, including Hoster and Micro Studio has worked well till now. This is my first glitch.

I sent an email to MTU tech support, but have not had a reply. I checked the Hoster Forum and found that this is a common problem, usually "fixed" by the Forum manager and not tech support. I note here that you have thousands of people registered with the Hoster Support Forum. That means that at least half and probably 80 or 90% of those use Hoster regularly in their shows, and I bet that a good number of those do not have a backup system in case the show set goes down. I have Hoster for personal use and a backup to take to occasional parties I attend with friends. For me it is not an urgent request for help like I found in the Forum, but it is an irritant. I build my own computers and upgrade regularly because I use them everyday for recording and graphics and I can afford to have at least last years latest on my desk. I pay my fees to upgrade every time you come out with a new version (in support of your fine products) with the expectation that you will support me when I have problems. In reality, the product 4 or 5 generations back still has everything I need to enjoy Karaoke at home. Looking over the Forum, I see a need for timely tech support for your users. I read one blurb that said the Manual was so complete that I we just read it, we could solve most of our own problems. I think you are right, but it doesn't say anything about transfering to a new computer when we trash the old one, or about problems caused by upgradeing our computers. If there were, and with a special tech support email address, we could let you know in advance of the changes we were about to make and you could adjust our registration accordingly. You could have a history log of the program along with sys info available and see when we uninstalled the program (for computer swaps), or changed out major components which affected the registration numbers. Please, Help, I would really like to get back on line.

Robert E Bealo

[Beavis]

try restoring your computer to an earlier date.

[ddouglass]

After you restore as Beavis said, try upgrading without removing 3.301. This latest upgrade does not require removing older version to upgrade.

[admin]

I'm sorry you had a problem, and I'm watching for you answer to know if you are running or not.

Below is a tretise I choose to write this morning. It is NOT, I repeat NOT guided at any person here, especially rbealo. I simply want to state what we deal with every day now.

MIcrosoft now has tightened their security far tighter than before. If you change much in your hardware, you must re-register Windows XP. However, if you just read the first message they give you, they say you must buy a NEW COPY of Windows.

If you click the link in their dialog, you get to enter your country, and get to call an India Support Center. They will ask you questions to discern if you upgraded your hardware, or you are a thief. Of course, they will give you a new Installation Key to type in. It is ALL DONE VERBALLY, so don't call late at night when your ears aren't working.

Realize that security is a fact of life today. Anyone who is time critical must have a backup today. Too not do this is foolish.

The only reason that anyone is able to contact MTU today in any means, after all our programs were stolen and on free crack sites in 1999, is because we DO have security. If we didn't, I assure you we would NOT be here today!

We have been working for over a year on a new TRANSFER method to allow users to do what we do to install on new or significantly upgraded hardware, but with web side scripts doing the checking and theft prevention we now do manually. This will require Hoster to "ET Call Home = ETCH" every 3 months. If not, that copy will cease to run. It can be done on-line, using a USB Memory Stick, or a Floppy Disc. We will make it as painless as possible, but it will require connectino within 3 months, or when you want to run it again if idle for an exetnded period.

"Cheap - Fast - Good... pick any two." It is a law of the Universe.

These Forums are CHEAP & GOOD.

We will soon offer a $20 support option at our store to provide FAST & GOOD for those whose income depends on faster support.

Unless you are a software company, selling via the Internet, you cannot in your wildest NIGHTMARES imagine what MTU has to deal with weekly, and sometimes daily. In my 38 years in business, and treating folks respectfully, I have never been so insulted in my life by some of our current "customers". We are doing our very best to keep a stiff upper lip about it, but some days we get rattled and just close up so we don't get any more insults.

Have you noticed that our competitors no longer provide support? Have you noticed they do NOT have a phone number? No... well, we have. Yet we still have a phone number, emails, and our Forum... by far the most active in the Industry by any vendor.

We are continuing to treat our customers with respect as we always have. That is our choice, and those who are insulting us do NOT stand for the majority. However, if you had to face what we do every day, you would understand why we have to build some walls to protect our sanity today!

[rbealo]

Thanks Beavis and Dale, I already did that, but for whatever reason, the install program does not give me the update/upgrade option past upgrades have and will only let me delete the previous version prior to installing 3303.

Moderator, Thanks for the Tretise. I still need help. What I missed in my first posting was that the blurb stated that I already had Hoster installed on two computers and would not let me proceed. That is not the case.

[rbealo]

Admin Moderator,

I checked out all the similar threads and have not come up with a fix. Tech Support still hasn't gotten back to me. Surely with 4600 posting to your credit, you know what my problem is and how to fix it. I assume you work directly for MTU and can fix this. I have been building and using computers since Sinclair put out its 64K units. I have usually have gone through the knowledge bases, FAQ pages and Help searches long before I call tech support for anything. I can go back and forth with the Forum for another 10 days without getting the answer I need. I changed out my main hard drive and MTU registration "apparently" no longer recognises my computer as one of the two I am allowed under our agreement. I cannot change that, but you can help me get it fixed. Will you please do that now. I am just a little guy here that dabbles in computers and Karaoke. I am not a pirate and I am not spreading MTU programs around town without regard to our agreement.

Robert Bealo

[PastMember]

Originally Posted by rbealo

I checked out all the similar threads and have not come up with a fix.

From what you are describing, there's is no fix on your end. You'll just have to wait until they get around to it.

[George]

RBEALO,

Try posting your problem in the CRITICAL REGISTRATION FORUMS, and see if that will attract some attention from BRYAN in SUPPORT.

Your registration needs to be reset as the system is seeing the new hard drive as a new computer.

I've flagged this thread to all moderators as needing help. Hope that helps also

[rbealo]

Thank you all, especially George. Just got a reset email from Bryan at MTU and expecting to be up and running in minutes. Don't know why I did not see the Critical registrations forum when I first started this.


Thanks again for all your suggestions.

Robert Bealo

[admin]

Originally Posted by rbealo

Just got a reset email from Bryan at MTU and expecting to be up and running in minutes.

Just checking, are you now running?

[rbealo]

Looks great from here. Thanks, Bob