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-   -   Need to enter serial number after restarting PC (https://www.feldoncentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21852)

Splashy 12-30-2013 09:02 AM

Need to enter serial number after restarting PC
 
I'm running MA 3.2 on Windows 8.1.
I have a problem, every time I restart my PC, I have to enter the serial number again (it asks for the serial number after every time I restart my PC).
Is there any fix for this? It's kind of annoying to have to enter the code again after every restart.
Your help would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

Jim Sachs 12-31-2013 12:27 AM

If it's a valid Key, the system should remember it. Can you think of any reason that your system would not be able to save something in the Registry, such as no Supervisor abilities?

Splashy 12-31-2013 06:56 AM

The key is valid, I purchased it a while ago.
My Windows account has administrator abilities.
Maybe I should run MA3 as an administrator after a restart?
Thanks for your help.

marcusgi 01-11-2014 07:44 PM

same problem
 
I have this same problem. I have uninstalled it and reinstalled it by clicking on the the executable and selecting run as administrator. I have windows 8 64 bit and this never happened on windows 7. Is there any setting I need to change? Is it possible that Norton has something blocking the registry?

marcusgi 01-17-2014 08:45 AM

possible fix
 
I think I finally figured out what is causing me to have to put in registration information after I reboot. Norton products. I permanently disabled Antivirus and Firewall, entered the code and rebooted with Norton off, then restarted once more, turned them back on. Seems to work since. Logic is that Norton is not letting MA write to the registry.

philosopher 01-17-2014 09:05 AM

Key Lost after Update
 
Jim,

I've been seeing a very similar problem. But mine doesn't occur on every restart. I've identified that I need to re-enter my key on Windows 8.1 after most Windows Updates. Also, whatever fish-list I am currently using gets reset to the default non-key entered list.

For now I've been backing up my preferred list of fish by creating a second set.

I don't know what process during the update is wiping out the key and I haven't tried investigating the registry after this happens.

If you would like me to check any particular registry entries before, during, and/or after the problem occurs just let me know what to check or what other testing would be helpful.

Sincerely,
Justin

Jim Sachs 01-17-2014 09:35 AM

Thanks, guys. I'm not sure what I can do about that, but I'll look into it.

feldon34 01-23-2014 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcusgi (Post 151443)
I think I finally figured out what is causing me to have to put in registration information after I reboot. Norton products. I permanently disabled Antivirus and Firewall, entered the code and rebooted with Norton off, then restarted once more, turned them back on. Seems to work since. Logic is that Norton is not letting MA write to the registry.

Norton makes the worst antivirus/firewall/etc. software imaginable. Sorry you had difficulty.

philosopher 01-31-2014 01:11 PM

Also Using Norton
 
I am also using Norton.

The weird thing for me is that this doesn't happen on every re-boot. Just every so often and seems to be when I install windows updates.

But I'll try turning off Norton, entering my key, and then waiting for the next set of updates and we'll see.

It could certainly be the same thing!

Thanks for the heads-up on Norton.

marcusgi 03-03-2014 03:30 PM

Still not fixed
 
Well, it turns out Norton is not the problem. It is still making me reregister after several reboots, could be that windows update as you said. I suppose it could be a policy setting. What I have been doing in the mean time is hibernating the PC instead of shutting it down completely.

TimnShaz1 03-10-2014 04:38 PM

Re-entering serial number
 
I am having this issue as well. I'm running Windows 8.1 on a new Toshiba P75-A. I don't think Norton's is the issue here. Knowing how much I hate it, it was one of the first things to go when I was purging all the junk that comes on a new computer. Can't remember if I've done a hard start since the last time it's happened but it has done it multiple times. If you find a solution it would be appreciated. I'll check back regularly.

marcusgi 03-16-2014 04:50 PM

Windows Update is the culprit
 
Well, I was fine for a week or so until Windows Update came from Microsoft. philosopher, I think you hit the nail on top the head when you said its the windows update. At least I have my favorite fish saved, so all I have to do is put in the serial number each time Microsoft wants to do an update, worth having my fish back. Thanks!

Socrates 04-08-2014 05:57 PM

I just came in here to report the same thing in 8.1 pro. I haven't narrowed down WHEN exactly it asks me to enter a new key, but it asks pretty often. It's no fun resetting the fish list constantly.

No Norton. I won't touch their stuff. IT sometimes happens when the computer hasn't been either put to sleep, hibernated, or rebooted. It just seems to randomly happen.

Oh other nots on my pc that may or may not be relevant. It's a laptop with discreet nvidia graphics mixed with the built Intel. I run the aquarium both on the single laptop monitor sometimes, and other times on the laptop monitor + a landscape monitor + a portrait monitor. When I pull up the "S" key information it claims it's running this on the Intel HD graphics rather than the nvidia.

Everything else is great, the only issue I have is the key code problem. .

Jim Sachs 04-10-2014 12:42 AM

I still don't have a clue on this one.

henemly 04-11-2014 09:52 AM

Could you find the reg key branch in the registry (in xp it's under
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\SereneScreen\MarineAqu arium3])
export it when it's working, then import the saved xxxx.reg everytime
before running the SS.

Socrates 04-11-2014 04:23 PM

Hey Jim,

Must be a windows 8 thing, Jim, just not sure why it does it. I don't know if this will help or not. I'm glad to do whatever tests you need or dump whatever registry info might be helpful to a PM.

Just a little while ago it asked me for my key again. so I did a search on the windows 8.1 registry for serenescreen, it came up with these:
__________________________________________________ _______________
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wo w6432Node\SereneScreen\MarineAquarium3 (This one has an entry in REGCODE, but it looks like .testfish c c c etc)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MA CHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SereneScreen\MarineAqua rium3 (this one has the same testfish code in regcode)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SereneScreen\MarineAqua rium3 (also has testfish code)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SereneScreen Marine Aquarium 3_is1 (no regcode key, just uninstaller info)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SereneScre en\MarineAquarium3 (THIS ONE HAS 00 IN THE REGCODE)

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-...\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Wow6432Node\SereneScreen\MarineAquarium3 (This one has the testfish code in REGCODE)

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-...\Software\SereneScreen\MarineAquarium3 (also has testfish in regcode)

__________________________________________________ __________________
***Then I put in the key and then re did my search.***

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wo w6432Node\SereneScreen\MarineAquarium3 (now has the correct encrypted regcode)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MA CHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SereneScreen\MarineAqua rium3 (now has the correct encrypted regcode)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SereneScreen\MarineAqua rium3 (has the corr3ect key in REGCODE)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\ Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\SereneScreen Marine Aquarium 3_is1 (No regcode key, just uninstall)

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\SereneScre en\MarineAquarium3 (still just has 00 in REGCODE)

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-...\Software\Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE \Wow6432Node\SereneScreen\MarineAquarium3 (has the correct encrypted key in REGCODe)

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-...\Software\SereneScreen\MarineAquarium3 (has the correct code in REGCODE)

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-..._Classes\VirtualStore\MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432N ode\SereneScreen\MarineAquarium3 (Has the correct regcode, but did not appear in my search when it was unregistered)
__________________________________________________ ________________

The user serials are shortened up. That last key didn't show up in a quick search of the registry the first time, but that my be my fault. The next time it fails, I will check to see if that key is gone or if I just missed it this time.

Would it help at all to paste the regcode from one of the ones that has it to the one that has just "00".

If I wanted to backup one of these keys to restore it faster next time, which one do I need? OR does that give away the farm on the activiation process? If it does, no problem, I always have my key handy to copy and paste.

Jim Sachs 04-12-2014 12:39 AM

Prolific handles the Key Code stuff. There's a lot going on there. The raw Key will not show up in a search, because the entry is munged before being stored. It's also stored in a second location in case the first one gets messed up.

marcusgi 04-13-2014 08:22 PM

Love the comment "does that give away the farm on the activation process"... That might be the problem, in order to fix it they would have to tell you how to break their encryption... The only time I have to re-enter the code is when windows updates, like once a week and takes seconds. Just an annoyance when I have paid for the registration.

Time Crystal Pilot 04-14-2014 03:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Sachs (Post 151919)
[...] It's also stored in a second location in case the first one gets messed up.

And that other location is listed in Socrates's posting above as well. Let's not hope the registry path is hard-coded, because in that case it cannot but fail with virtual 32-bit registry entries on 64-bit Windows 8, especially if the program checks the backup entry periodically. (I don't know if MA3 does that. MA2 used to.)

EricW 04-24-2014 02:15 PM

Same problem
 
I am also having the same annoying problem with having to re-enter the code. Have not been able to pin down what triggers this.

Running Windows 8.1, 64-bit.

philosopher 05-01-2014 07:50 AM

System Restore
 
Everyone, I think this might have something to do with Window's System Restore feature. I had originally noticed that I had to re-enter my key-code whenever Window's Patch Tuesday's occurred and I installed updates. But yesterday my key-code was lost again and I hadn't installed any updates.

I did, however, install some new software (SQL Server 2014) and that install, as many do, first triggered a System Restore Point. Updates typically also trigger a System Restore Point.

To test I manually created a System Restore Point but afterwards my key-code was still there. So I'm still searching for what exactly triggers the loss of the key-code.

So, for now, the System Restore Point is at the top of my suspect list, but what about it might be part of the cause is still an unknown.

Jim Sachs 05-05-2014 12:49 AM

Thanks for all the effort.

Socrates 05-15-2014 11:16 AM

It's not so much having to re-enter the keycoade. That's annoying enough. It's having to re-create the fish list...

Might try exporting all those kys into a single .reg file and see if a one click import will be enough to save some time.

Jim Sachs 05-15-2014 02:35 PM

Edgar at Prolific is pretty sure this is a result of not installing MA3 as an Administrator. Without that, the Key Code can get overwritten with each system update or restore.

philosopher 05-16-2014 07:01 AM

Install as Administrator
 
Jim,

Thanks!

This certainly sounds like it could be the culprit. I have no idea if I ran my original installation as administrator or not.

Just a few days ago I installed a round of updates and lost the key-code again. So unfortunately I missed the window to test this.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled running the install .exe as administrator. I made certain by running a command prompt as admin and then running the .exe from that command prompt.

I'll wait for the next round or two of updates and report back here whether or not my key-code resets again.

This will probably take a couple of months to be certain.

philosopher 06-11-2014 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philosopher (Post 152054)
I'll wait for the next round or two of updates and report back here whether or not my key-code resets again.

This will probably take a couple of months to be certain.


Jim,

The first patch Tuesday since I re-installed has come and gone there were many updates installed and, so far so good, my key-code held!

I'll report again next month.

audio.bill 06-11-2014 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philosopher (Post 152200)
Jim,

The first patch Tuesday since I re-installed has come and gone there were many updates installed and, so far so good, my key-code held!

I'll report again next month.

Same situation here. I did a fresh install of MA v3.3 as administrator about a week ago, and for the first time after applying a set of Microsoft updates I am not being prompted to re-enter my product key. :TU:

Jim Sachs 06-12-2014 10:23 PM

Thanks, guys - glad to hear it.

audio.bill 06-16-2014 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Sachs (Post 152211)
Thanks, guys - glad to hear it.

This morning I was prompted to enter my key code again. While in the past I could easily cut and paste the key code, now it won't allow that so I have to manually type in the key to re-enter it. I can't figure out why this is the ONLY software I have that has this issue, and it's quite frustrating being a paid customer. I also run Windows 8.1 if that matters. :sad:

Jim Sachs 06-16-2014 08:07 PM

There is nothing in my code which would effect the Windows cut-and-paste functions. There must be something deeper going on.

audio.bill 06-16-2014 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Sachs (Post 152229)
There is nothing in my code which would effect the Windows cut-and-paste functions. There must be something deeper going on.

Jim, I understand that the problem may not be in your code, but rather in the registry entry code that you previously contacted Prolific about. No other software that I have requires key codes to be periodically re-entered so there has to be a problem with the registry entry code that you apparently have provided by Prolific. I would respectfully suggest that you contact them again with an explanation of this latest behavior to see what they can come up with, since the problem is not what they previously suggested about the software having to be installed as the system administrator. Thanks for your ongoing support in an effort to resolve this issue, it is appreciated. You have a great product that I enjoy owning, but this one issue is a point of frustration for your users.

audio.bill 06-23-2014 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Sachs (Post 152229)
There is nothing in my code which would effect the Windows cut-and-paste functions. There must be something deeper going on.

Jim, you were absolutely correct with your statement above. I found and resolved the problem I was having of not being able to cut and paste my product key code. I use Webroot security software and its identity protection had MA in its list of protected applications. After setting it to 'Allow' I am now able to paste my key code again. Still can't figure out why I keep having to re-enter the code, but at least I can easily paste it now when necessary.

Jim Sachs 06-23-2014 04:00 PM

Thanks for getting back to us with that info.

Socrates 06-24-2014 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Sachs (Post 152053)
Edgar at Prolific is pretty sure this is a result of not installing MA3 as an Administrator. Without that, the Key Code can get overwritten with each system update or restore.

This makes sense. I will try it.

audio.bill 06-24-2014 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socrates (Post 152249)
This makes sense. I will try it.

It's probably worth trying on your system, but I have already uninstalled and re-installed MA3.3 as administrator and still have the same problem of having to re-enter the key code. Another user I know has done the same with the same outcome, and we're both running Windows 8.1. Please let us know your results.

EricW 07-11-2014 07:41 AM

Recurrence
 
Perhaps this will help isolate the cause:
Over the past few weeks, after reading this thread, re-installing MA3 as administrator (on Win8.1, 64-bit) (by right-clicking the MA3.exe file, selecting 'Run as administrator' - is that the accepted procedure?), disabling 'System restore' for all drives, the annoying problem with having to re-enter the code did not occur for some weeks, even after monthly Microsoft updates.

This morning I powered up the PC, started MA3 and got the re-enter the code message again; the only relevant cause I can think of is that yesterday I did some experiments with the MA3 sound/music settings (added a sound track, turned the bubble sound on/off, then turned off the music; now just running sound independently from a player in the background). Therefore, this error happened after the first system reboot after making those changes.

audio.bill 07-24-2014 12:06 PM

EricW, thanks for providing your input! I installed MA3 the same way that you described and still have to re-enter the key code periodically. I wouldn't want to disable System Restore as you did though, since I've had to use it in the past to recover from certain troublesome situations.

EricW 07-24-2014 04:38 PM

AudioBill: I have no problem with disabling System Restore because I - religiously - back up my entire system physical drive (all partitions) to an external hard drive. That has "saved me" on numerous enough occasions.

Hope an answer to this problem will be forthcoming soon; it has not happened here since I posted that last message.

EricW 07-26-2014 06:27 AM

I give up... yesterday MA3 was working fine; this morning was prompted to enter the code again, without any changes specific to MA3 having been made in the last few days, nor any other (manually instigated) software updates. The only software that auto-updates on this machine is Norton Internet Security 2014. (I have Windows Update and also Java disabled from auto-updating - so that I can make an OS backup before the updates.) The restore points are still disabled on all drives. Win8.1 64-bit.

audio.bill 07-26-2014 06:42 AM

Eric, I'm just as frustrated about this as you! There doesn't seem to be any specific behavior on my part that causes this problem, and MA is the only software on my PC that requires me to continually re-enter the product key code. Very aggravating for software that I have purchased; I could understand if it was a free giveaway.


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