Object Dock will not install...in fact none of my apps will...says activations keys are wrong! (Resolved!)

from WinCustomize Forums

Ok...pc crashed and needed to reinstall some apps...started with ObjectDock..."serial# wrong!?" I haven't even tried others so I don't get frustrated. So anyone know what the problem is? These are all paid for apps with serial#'s downloaded from Stardock and "should" be valid! Is this going to continue into the future?

123,523 views 57 replies
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Try activating with your StarDock email and password. I have never activated any Stardock apps with a serial number. 

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Ashes of the Singularity II
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting AzDude, reply 1

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having issues.

Try this link here  https://forums.stardock.com/484254/getting-your-products-and-keys

 

 


AzDude
Stardock Community Assistant

 

This is soooo generic. No offense Mike. Stardock should try harder to come up with a better response.

This may satisfy newbees.  Us old timers expect more.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The monkey has it. I almost always use my user name/password. It has proven more reliable (easier) than the serial.

 

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Ok...first off...I have all those serial/activation#'s that I downloaded and kept years ago.  At first it said "activate.exe" couldn't communicate with the server....telling me it might be my firewall. So I turned off the firewall and tried again...said the same thing. So...what's the deal? I never had this problem before and all other software needing serial#'s work just fine.

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Anyone?

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,

Sorry to hear you are having issues. I have forwarded your problem to Stardock Support team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. They on their weekend, you will need to wait for them to come back on Monday.We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Thank you.

Basj

Stardock Community Assistant.

 

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Thank you. Basj :thumbsup:  

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 3

This is soooo generic.

Yet soooo effective at getting them the correct information.

Quoting RedneckDude, reply 4

I almost always use my user name/password. It has proven more reliable (easier) than the serial.

While perhaps 'easier', as one does not need to remember a PK, it would be no more (less if there are multiple keys for the same product) than using email / key.

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 5

Ok...first off...I have all those serial/activation#'s that I downloaded and kept years ago.

Uninstall any product you have and make sure you install with what you get here:

https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products

Or here:

https://www.stardock.com/support/productkeyretrieval

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 5

At first it said "activate.exe" couldn't communicate with the server....telling me it might be my firewall.

When using the above to get the correct product and key, and if you still get such an error, post a screenshot of it, please.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 9

When using the above to get the correct product and key, and if you still get such an error, post a screenshot of it, please.

 

Like I said...I have all the product keys. I had them since downloading them years ago ( I have a folder devoted to all my paid for Stardock products and the keys/serial#'s) And I downloaded the identical ones from your "productkeyretrieval  " link.

Objectdock installs...but when I try to activate it I get and prompt saying that "activate.exe" could not communicate with the server."

Then goes on to say my firewall might be blocking it...so I turned it off and tried again....same thing happened.

"Would you like to activate by email?" Tried that and got no response.

And this is a clean install after reinstalling windows.

Next hoop.

Reply #11 from Stardock Forums Top

Your version of Objectdock is fantastically old (2010).  While it should activate, I have less tools available to me to assist.  If you consider upgrading (I can give you a coupon), and still had issues (not as likely), that may resolve the issue.

Let me know, please.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 11

Your version of Objectdock is fantastically old (2010). While it should activate, I have less tools available to me to assist. If you consider upgrading (I can give you a coupon), and still had issues (not as likely), that may resolve the issue.

Let me know, please.

I'd really prefer to use my fantastically old version. I have the upgraded version as well but the first one works a lot better. I'd appreciate it if you could figure out how I can get this one to activate. I have Acronis True Image installed now so if I have to reinstall again I won't (and shouldn't) have to be concerned about it. I shouldn't have to come here and bother anyone about this. I have other apps older than this and they just install with no problem...I insert the key and they work. I would understand if it didn't work with my version of windows but it works great.

I reinstalled this before without these problems and I don't understand why I'm having this problem now. I understand you not wanting to support it any longer as far as upgrading it...but I really shouldn't have this problem installing it.

Reply #13 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Any solutions yet? 8|  

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Uninstall what you have for ObjectDock, install what I have put on your account, and use the key that comes with it:

https://www.stardock.com/support/productkeyretrieval

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #15 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So...is this you telling me I can't use the version I want and paid for and prefer that works? And like I said I already have the newer version, I've had it for years but never used it because the older version works so much better. Thank some god my CursorXp installed because I don't have the Plus version of that. So why this problem with OD!?

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 15

So...is this you telling me I can't use the version I want and paid for and prefer that works?

But that (very) old version does not work for you, Web - that was the reason for your post, yes?

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 15

because the older version works so much better.

I would want to know how the current version is failing you, WebGizmos.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

Reply #17 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 16

Quoting WebGizmos,
reply 15
So...is this you telling me I can't use the version I want and paid for and prefer that works?

But that (very) old version does not work for you, Web - that was the reason for your post, yes?

No...that old version works perfectly. SDRohan...The reason for my post was I just had to reinstall windows and in the process of reinstalling OD it would not activate.

 

Quoting sdRohan, reply 16

Quoting WebGizmos,
reply 15
because the older version works so much better.

I would want to know how the current version is failing you, WebGizmos.

I don't use the current version. I much prefer the way I can access all the backgrounds and settings in the older version that I have been using for years. I don't care for some of the features in the newer version.

It installs...it just hits your wall when trying to activate it...how can I activate it!? And I guess I should ask what other apps will I have problems with!?

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 17

OD it would not activate.

That constitutes 'not working' Web, as we see it.

That app, the original one you had, was from 2004 - if that's the one you are using, that is almost 15 years old.

The other you had is from 2010 - almost 9 years ago. 

When I looked for any attempts for you activating with any version of OD when you posted, there was nothing in the logs - that means it was never making it to us - it was dying at the source.

That said, I do now see you were able to activate the current version I gave you:

8/21/2018 4:45:56 AM

That said, I am not unsympathetic - I will see about testing on the older versions - but I cannot promise anything.  I would encourage you to continue to use the current version - letting us know if you are confused about any function or process to have you as satisfied with it as you were the old.

----------------
Sean Drohan
Stardock Customer Service Manager

 

Reply #19 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 18

When I looked for any attempts for you activating with any version of OD when you posted, there was nothing in the logs - that means it was never making it to us - it was dying at the source.

Ok....first off....it does work. It's an excellent app when it's allowed to activate...this is why I use it.

Yes...it says "activate.exe could not communicate with the server." So why is that...it said it "might" be my firewall, so I turned it off and tried again...but said the same thing. So what would be blocking it from getting to your server!? It installs just fine...I should have worded that better in the original post. So...what would be blocking it?

Reply #20 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting sdRohan, reply 18

When I looked for any attempts for you activating with any version of OD when you posted, there was nothing in the logs - that means it was never making it to us - it was dying at the source.

That said, I do now see you were able to activate the current version I gave you:
 

WebGizmos,I think the version of OD that you are trying to activate may has old activation route which the reason there is nothing in logs and is dead at source.

 
Reply #21 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting WebGizmos, reply 19

So...what would be blocking it?

Shot in the dark- you might try temporarily disabling antivirus, any other anti-malware, as well as firewall.  Purely guessing.

Reply #22 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DaveRI, reply 21

Shot in the dark- you might try temporarily disabling antivirus

That one I haven't tried....disabled the firewall though. Not sure if "Microsoft Security Essentials" would block it though.

Reply #23 from WinCustomize Forums Top

The other things is it asks if I want to "activate it by email"....and then gives me this information...(and mentions "Stardock Central")

 

Application start: 2018-8-17 3.59.14

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - failed

Mode 1, short info

Offline mode: activation info posted

 

Application start: 2018-8-17 4.12.26

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - failed

Mode 1, short info

Offline mode: activation info posted

 

Application start: 2018-8-18 4.5.42

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - failed

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

 

Application start: 2018-8-18 4.12.34

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - failed

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

 

Application start: 2018-8-18 7.7.50

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - failed

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

 

Application start: 2018-8-18 7.9.52

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - failed

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

 

Application start: 2018-8-20 14.23.36

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - failed

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

 

Application start: 2018-8-22 17.53.28

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - failed

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

 

Application start: 2018-8-24 0.36.22

Downloading test internet data...

Download: success

Test internet data - failed

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting [email protected].

 

Reply #24 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting Gaspershooters, reply 20

WebGizmos,I think the version of OD that you are trying to activate may has old activation route which the reason there is nothing in logs and is dead at source.

I think that is a good summary of why it is failing.   Activation methodology with Stardock has evolved and this very old version has not.

If it offers activation by using your email address(not by sending an email) and stardock.com password try doing that.

Reply #25 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting BigDogBigFeet, reply 24

If it offers activation by using your email address(not by sending an email) and stardock.com password try doing that.

Did that...still waiting for a response.