Death to the Registration Tool

A dimm failed on my Mac - suddenly ALL of Komplete 2 wants reauthorizing.
So I replace the dimm, putting my Mac back to it's original "hardware config".
But no, apparently it is still a different config.

AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!

So now I have to reauthorize everything again.
If the website allows me to.....

Deactivated profiles that cannot be reactivated or erased???
What kind of paranoid gibberish is this?

NI - this is the worst software authorization scheme ever. The hours I've spent with your poxy registration tool.

Why can't I input one key for all of Komplete 2?

The sotware is great (when I am allowed to use it) but this nonsense is driving me mad!!!

Why can't you use a usb key or an iLok?
Or give me a permanent licence for the product I paid for?

Perhaps you haven't noticed but your registration tool was cracked years ago - there are numerous keygens - so all it does is get the way of us poor saps who paid

Please devise a PROFESSIONAL SOLUTION!!!!!!

 

Totally agree with you.

 

They have to review the way they calculate the registration key !
I own 7 products, each time there is a change I have to re-authorize alll of them

This is a pain.

best

Cyril

 

I was on the phone to Tech Support yesterday - they have had many requests for a usb key as copy protection instead of the online nonsense.
Apparently they are considering it - which at least means it is technically possible.

Personally I would be happy to pay for an iLok or whatever so I just could get on making music.

If you agree that a "dongle" is the way to go then please tell NI.
Maybe if enough users request it then we'll get what we want....


btw are you running Tiger on your G5? Any problems?

 

I'd just like to say that I've never had a problem with the Reg tool. I've switched systems twice since authorizing my NI products, and have been up and running again in minutes. Maybe a new version of the reg tool can be used to simplify some of the problems outlined above, but I'd really rather the C/P didn't go over to hardware; I have a thing against background processes making sure I'm a legit user 24 hours a day. Also, my Steinberg dongle does not need a neighbor.

 

Lucky you!

If it was only necessary to reauthorize when updating a system that would be one thing. But it isn't.
Plus, Komplete 2, which is a "package" requires me to perform 5 registrations.

As a matter of interest, what is your system?
Do you have Komplete or just a couple of NI progs?

What do you mean by "background processes making sure I'm a legit user 24 hours a day" ?

Also "my Steinberg dongle does not need a neighbor". Any particular reason?

I hope NI offer the option to use a hardware dongle for those that want it and the everyone else can use the Reg Tool.
I'd even pay extra!

 

here is what i have to do to get my komplete registered:

i originally bought kontakt, then i upgraded it through NI online to kontakt 1.5. in order for my komplete to work, i must first:
1. download kontakt 1.5 update or find my disc that has it on there and install it. no biggie.

2. i then have to install komplete. while installing komplete i have never, ever had a complete install get all the way through. For some reason I always get a funny little "access denied" error around item 39 while installing.

N.I is aware of this error and told me it is a very rare, rare thing that happens on only a few systems. They give me the normal fixes to the "access denied" error, I try them and boom: they do not worked-no matter how much i talk to tech support.

3. N.I then says it needs to call/email tech support in Berlin( or wherever their home base is) and get a work around for me since this error is not fixable. they tell me they will get back to me within 3 days.

4. usually 4-5 days later i receive a work around of my error that makes me do strange coding and crap like that to my mac to get the product i paid for to work right. whatever . . . .

5. besides all of this, i have to go to NI's site and change all of my authorizations from my old set up to my new; change registrations, insert the b4 cd, etc.
This is another annoying thing. Ni's website can mess up the registration process as well while using safari. I have tried to get to the NI key for komplete many times through safari, as well as internet explorer
and when i get to the page that is suppose to give me the key, the connection will time out, etc. all sorts of different things going on.

6. I then go to the komplete care add-ons. I have to install all of those and re-register them all through the use of the authorization key. absynth3, kontakt2, battery2 all have to be re-installed and re-registered.

and thats how it works if the process goes smoothly with just the one "access denied" error. out of all the installs and registrations i've done, i have had 1 that worked liked normal, and that one install/registraion took me over 3 hours. the worst case took me 7 days.

7 days of registering and having to program my computer to accept komplete, a program i paid for legally.

now i'm sure there are people going "well your computer must be messed up, old, bad ram, etc." These are the 2 computers i used:
mac dual G4 867GHz, 768 RAM, OS X.3.5
mac G5 1.8 GHZ, 1 GB RAM, OSx.3.5-9

Everytime i installed they were on a completely fresh os. a clean computer with nothing else. in the matter of the G5, they were installed on a completely new factory shipped computer.

and remember, i was on the line with NI support during most of the difficulties, and this was AFTER every option they could think of was tried.

my point? The only reason i am with them now is that their products are too great. I would love to find some other soft synths and samplers that stack up to reaktor and kontakt, but i havent, so i am forced to stay with NI.

all i ask if for them to seriously re-think their whole output.
Spend the extra on manuals that are informative and educational without the german to english typos everywhere, find a new system of registration; ilok, usb, fricking identity chip in brain, whatever.
this is soo important.

if we just had those few things it would make our audio much more productive.

And for the love of god, get rid of the god damned "access denied" error everyone gets while installing komplete! read the forums! its all over the place.

ahhh. now my rant is over. time to go play with Intakt. lol

 

Actually, yes I agree that Komplete may as well just have one big auth tool. I'm surprised that it doesn't.
I have a home-built system (Win XP), and I own four seperate NI products. I have had to reauthorize when certain upgrades are made, but it's always worked for me within a few minutes- I mean, I just get the code in the mail and blam, there I am. I'm not saying other people don't have trouble, but I never have.
I do so hate dongles though. USB is the greatest interface in peripheral history (until FireWire gets it's act together, anyway), and I'm not surrendering any more of my ports to a little piece of junk that only makes sure I'm not a pirate. And pirates get around them so easily anyway, so why do I, the paying customer, lose a USB slot to something that serves no purpose in the end?
Plus, the dongle itself saps a tiny tiny tiny bit of processing power all the time. It's not a big deal, but it ticks me off. I like to keep my system processes at a minimum, and when I hit CTRL ALT DEL I want to see only the most basic of operations, not some Synchrosoft crap. It's like a dent on my car; the car still works fine, but every time I see that little dent I get all frustrated and wish it would go away. Just a personal thing.
I agree that if they gave you the choice of auth tool or dongle, that would be best, but it'll never happen.

 

Hmmmm.
I find my experiences with, and hence dislike of, the reg tool are more loke those of chagos. There are simply too many steps to authorize a whole package and too much policing of system id's.
Sure, limit us to two installs, that's fine, even generous. But keeping a database of profiles so that you can't reinstall if you deactivated a profile without phoning NI - that's ridiculous.
As you say, Doppleherz - it is so easily beaten by the pirates. There are many keygens out there that work perfectly - with no nannying website!

Personally, I don't see a problem with losing a usb port - hubs are cheap. And most dongles are just interrogated by the app once in a while - there is no background task doing this. Or at lease not on the Mac, anyhow.

I find the idea of a third party maintaining a database of my computer configurations and useage to establish that I am not a pirate far more invasive than any background task on my computer!

I still say that hardware protection should be an option for whoever wants it. I'm not suggesting it be mandatory for all users. Just give me the option to buy an iLok so I can get on and use the software I paid for.

 

iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok, iLok.

Please.

Seriously, iLok is a very valid, permanent copy protection measure these days. It is so much easier than all of the different types of registrations out there. It's not just NI, there's Waves disk authorization (if you use it), Ik Multimedia online disk auth, and many, many more. All are different, and all are a pain in the a**!

Personally, I keep all the auths I can on my iLok. There is a certain amount of "peace of mind", knowing that if my system drive has a major failure, I only have to install all my software and plugs on a new drive, plug in the iLok and go. Otherwise, you could be looking at days of work getting possibly dozens of disk authorizations for all your software and plugins that require it.

No thanks. iLok please. The only NI related product I own is EWQLSO Gold, and really I avoid buying most plugs, etc. that only offer online, disk based authorization.

The main software sampler I use is MachFive, mainly because it is on an iLok for copy protection.

iLok may not be the first choice for some users, but it should be a choice none the less.

Just my two cents.

 

Thanks for your two cents, obviously I totally agree with you!!
I'm going to phone tech support again....

 

One workaround might be to pay for the software [so am not advocating piracy], and with due diligence try to use the NI route for re-re-re-authorising, but download the crack as an insurance policy anyway. This means you can be up and running even when:
- NI site is down/overloaded [eg during group buy events]
- your internet connection is down or your computer is not on the net
- there is a thunderstorm and you don't want to connect to the net
- NI get taken over, disappear or give up supporting your software

Not convinced about the dongle - you can be without use of your software for weeks if your dongle goes wrong/gets corrupted or the dog swallows it.

 

Hi LOW,

just to clarify..

I think you were just making sure you reply was not misunderstood but I just want to be clear that I have paid for the software!

FYI the "crack" is just a keygen - NI's anti-piracy scheme is easily thwarted and only inconveniences legit users.

Interesting idea though - it would make testing a setup really easy. A proper NI authorize could be done when testing is done. Got a feeling it may contravene the licensing agreement somewhat....

I agree with your many reasons for not getting on line.
Thought I was the only one who worried about thunderstorms!

I agree losing a dongle through carelessness or Canine Ingestion Syndrome would be a pain - I just think there should be the option to buy a dongle if you want one.

 

... have I missed something? Komplete 2 is installed and registered by using a SINGLE keyfile, which is very easy. Deactivating an old keyfile in favour for a new one due to hardware changes is also very easy - I've done it several times as I had been too sloppy and mixed up different keyfiles. Once you have properly saved the keyfile for your hardware setup, there's no need for going online again. As well as for the newer updates like Kontakt 2, Reaktor 5 Battery 2 or Absynth 3, if you have saved their challenge codes properly. Agree on that - it would be four more registrations a time per hardware setup if you have chaged it. But it's not that much trouble! If you feel so uncomfortable with the registration system, which is the easiest I know, just use one of these keygens. Not that I needed to do so, but I noticed that the Komplete 2 keyfile is an xml-file, such a thing can be edited, if it bothers you so much...
I myself never want to use a dongle again - what if it brakes, if you're losing it, does it take too much performance of your computer - too much trouble that way...

 

yes

No it isn't.
Reaktor/Battery/Absynth/Kontakt are part of Komplete but require there own authorizations so spare me you CAPITAL LETTERS.

And what's with the

and

and

and

don't be so patronizing!

Have an opinion by all means but there is no need to be so sarcastic. We're not morons, we just don't like the NI way of authorizing, alright?!

I just want the option to have a dongle. I've never lost or broken one and they have no impact on performance at all.
I find them the most convenient way of working and I am happy to pay extra for the option.

 

... seems I haven't missed anything, but being in rage may sometimes make one overlook certain things - so, sorry for being patronising again, but if you've read more carefully you would have noticed, that I agreed with you on registering the updates of Absynth 3, Battery 2, Kontakt 2 and Reaktor 3. They need, of course, an extra registration as they have been released after Komplete 2. It's right, it's a shame, that NI just drops them in as extra discs, because they seem to have some of the original DVDs of Komplete 2 left which were manufactured before the release of the updates. Agreed, screwing the customers...
As you have claimed that it would be better to use cracks rather than going through the registration process, you might have noticed my hint to make your usage with Komplete 2 easier (...but again, cool down, look above...).
There may be people who agree with you, but I'm also pretty sure, that there are a lot of people, who are quite satisfied with this protection method.
One last thing about being patronising - seeing you rant like this about NI's registration methods in about three or four threads seems a bit like a young boy being furious about his broken toy - so sorry for not having reacted in an appropriate way to this behaviour. And I'm pretty sure NI will also appreciate such public behaviour. But anyway, your post are fun to read - so go on and take it easy, son...

 

Thank you for your valuable contribution.
Some of us post in forums to try and solve problems or air our grievances, others of us like to use the anonymity to be smug and rude to strangers.

 

... sure, as you can tell that from my posts - there wasn't so much left for you to answer - enough said here.

 

I'm OK with the current registration. It's never caused me insurmountable problems.

I wouldn't mind if NI moved to a dongle protection scheme, but I'd be 100% against them adopting iLok. iLok only protects the intellectual property creator, and not the user. Lose your iLok, and you've lost EVERYTHING. It doesn't matter if you've got all the NI product disks and boxes safely on your studio shelf. The iLok is everything. You need to insure it for the full value of everything that's on it, because if it's lost, everything is gone. Check carefully to make sure that your insurance company actually insures such devices. Many don't, and there have been horror stories of people losing their Digidesign iLoks and losing thousands upon thousands of dollars of software. It's just GONE. Is this what you want?

I hate the iLok system. When I pay a bundle for high end sample libraries and virtual synth software, I want to be able to call the company I bought it from when I have a problem with the product's copy protection. After all, I'm a legal user, and I shelled out a lot of cash. When I have problems with copy protection, I don't want to be put at the mercy of a third party company like iLok that can afford to be aloof. Do you wish to communicate with iLok about a broken dongle? They CHARGE you to read email you send them. On top of that, iLok has a racket where they charge you $30 per year per dongle to insure that you can get authorizations back in a reasonable amount of time if their cheap, poorly constructed dongles fail. If you haven't paid up (and they have a "cooling off" period so you can't just call up and pay $30 when you actually have a failure) they hang you out to dry for two weeks or more, while you ship your iLok back to them for examination. Nice. On top of that, to get back up and running after an iLok failure, you have to buy a new iLok, AND the $30 per year ZDT (zero down time) insurance you paid doesn't cover the new iLok for the remainder of the year. You've got to pay up again.

No, iLok is definitely the way to go. Consider that iLok is just getting warmed up. The fees will rise, and they'll undoubtedly dream up new ones.

When you pay something like $3,000 for an NI based library like EWQLSO, I believe you're entitled to copy protection service on the companies dime. After all, the CP is protecting THEM, not you. Having to pay numerous additional fees and buy additional hardware for iLok copy protection is for the birds. I strongly hope that NI does not go down that path.

As it stands, if I put my NI software on a portable computer, I'm TOTALLY protected. If I'm out in the world, and someone steals my entire computer rig, all my NI software is completely safe. I just log on, de-activate the stolen licenses, and I'm on my way. When you install NI software, there's also a grace period, so there's no panic if you can't immediately get to an internet connection.

Sorry, but I sleep more soundly with NI's current system. If NI were to go iLok, I most likely would buy fewer NI products.

Lee Blaske

 

i think...

dongles suck.