Topic: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

The Pianoteq 5 demo really impressed me and I'm nearing the point of purchase, but I'm a little worried about the quoted excerpt from the FAQ:

https://pianoteq.com/faq wrote:

I bought a new computer. How do I deactivate the licence on the old one?
You can deactivate the old computer in the user area. After logging in, click on the "Manage activations" link. Only deactivate computers you no longer use. Once you deactivate a certain computer, you will no longer be able to activate it again, even if you reformat or change operating system.

I definitely plan to use Pianoteq on at least two systems: one with only Windows, and one older Macbook Pro laptop with both OSX and an audio-centric Linux distro to be soon chosen (and I'll want to use Pianoteq on both OSes on that system for comparison purposes).

I end up with two questions, or maybe one question and one concern.
1) Will my described setup use two or three of my allocated installs?  Again, one activation on a Windows PC, and activations on two OSes of a singular second system.  Can/do I use the same activation keyfile for both OSX and, say, Ubuntu Studio on a single system?
2) How worried should I be about permanent deactivations?  On the face of it, I don't like the idea of having to make a permanent decision about never using Pianoteq on a particular system again (and this concern is amplified if a dual-OS setup uses two licenses already).  Does Modartt make any exceptions here?  If I make a mistake and want to reactivate on an old computer, is there any leniency from customer support in this regard?  Have you ever had any issues when running up against the 3-install limit and/or permanent deactivations?

I welcome any and all thoughts on this general subject!

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

You get three activations with Pianoteq. So you can have it installed on 3 computers at the same time. And you can use it on all three computers at the same time.

2) Shouldn't worry at all. If you're replacing a computer with a completely new one, the impetus is that you won't use the old one for the same purpose again. In that case deactivating that hardware frees you an activation slot.

Hard work and guts!

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

Hypothetical situation - you purchase a 2nd hand computer, and it turns out the previous owner had deactivated a Pianoteq licence on it. What then?

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

Then it's off to Modartt support - they have the info on all of their users in the database, and they can rectify this if necessary. But I'd say it's not a likely situation to happen, that scenario you laid out

Hard work and guts!

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

Thanks for the reply. Actually, not so unlikely at all. I know of a few musicians who have purchased last-gen Mac Pros, for instance, and always from other musicians.

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

I realize that once you deactivate a serial number you can no longer reactivate that machine with the same serial number.  What isn't totally clear to me is if you deactivate one Pianoteq serial number, can you reactivate with a new serial number?

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

The same serial number is good for three hardware activations at the same time. In fact, if you deactivate some hardware (freeing an activation slot), you can use the same serial again.

Hard work and guts!

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

Here is the specific situation I wonder about. Let's say I put one of my three authorizations on my son's computer, then later I decide I need It and deauthorized it from his computer to use on one of my own, could I then buy and authorize the stage version (which is all he needs) or does the deauthorization preclude you from ever installing this again, even with a new serial number?

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

New purchase = new set of 3 activations.

Hard work and guts!

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

I still have no idea of the answer to my question.  I understand that if a specific computer is deactivated from a given serial number, you can never reactivate with that serial number again.  What I still don't know is if the deactivated computer can be reactivated with a new serial number.  Any know the answer to this?

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

That's essentially what I said. You will be able to do that.

Hard work and guts!

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

LKingston wrote:

Any know the answer to this?

Have you tried emailing the Pianoteq support? I guess you needn't worry, but I have gotten good and informative responses from support in a matter of 1-2 days (usually less than 24h). They read in the forum too, but probably the direct approach is better.

Last edited by kalessin (06-09-2014 10:49)
Pianoteq 6 Standard (Steinway D&B, Grotrian, Petrof, Steingraeber, Bechstein, Blüthner, K2, YC5, U4, Kremsegg 1&2, Karsten, Electric, Hohner)

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

Thanks for the discussion, guys.  Permanent deactivations still make me a little uneasy, but I think my worry has been mostly calmed.

Does anyone have experience with the other question in the original post?  Specifically, does having a dual-OS system with a Pianoteq install on each OS count as one or two (of the three total) license activations?

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

I triple boot my computer (2 Linux, 1 Windows).  I am using the same activation on all three operating systems.  As I understand things, the activation is per computer, not per operating system on the computer.  That is, I am using one of my three activations on the 3 operating systems.

Last edited by mwinthrop (08-09-2014 23:15)

Re: Permanent deactivation worries, and license usage question

Good to hear, thanks mwinthrop!