Another one nagged by activation after latest upgrade

from Stardock Forums

Please get your software together. I've had Start8 installed on my Windows 8 machine for over a year and had no issues until the latest update. Now I wish I didn't update. It now says that it can't find my activation and I must reactivate. So I do, and it works for a while. Then after a few restarts it asks again... and again.

I'm not sure what new anti-piracy features you added to your most recent update, but it only hurts your customers and not the pirates. Anyone who wants a pirated version of your software (which would have no issues like these mind you) know where to go. Since I'm not interested that, I guess I pay the penalty.

start8
5,277 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

It sounds like maybe something is deleting the activation file. This would cause it to re-prompt for activation. It is probably best to open a support ticket with us if you have not already. 

Please download and run the following utility:

http://sd.stardock.com/SDSupportTool.exe

This is a tool that we use to gather relevant log files and basic information about your computer. Once the utility finishes running, please attach the .zip file it creates on the desktop when you create a ticket here.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Well it was fine for awhile and now it has decided to regress once again. I would rather not run that tool on my system. If you're unable to help or fix this thing, I will unfortunately have to uninstall and go with a competitor. Its a shame this is simply not included in windows8 and that anyone would have to go through this much trouble just to have a dependable start menu. I don't need every $5 3rd party utility app on my system phoning home for their own self-serving reasons.

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

 I am also having Start8 licensing issues...Please help.  

I also can not use Start8 after the last update.. this has been inconvenient for a week now

I am using Start8 on 4 computers.

1st computer is My PERSONAL work Computer.
2ne computer is My Personal Gaming tower for home.
3rd computer is My Personal Laptop for home.
4th computer is my Husbands Desktop Tower for home.
I had no problems with licensing issues until I allowed Start8 to UPdate computer 1 " my PERSONAL " work desktop
..
I don''t know how many computers are listed on your records but it should be no more than 4. Will you please FIX this issue. 
Thank You.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting unleashit, reply 2

Well it was fine for awhile and now it has decided to regress once again. I would rather not run that tool on my system. If you're unable to help or fix this thing, I will unfortunately have to uninstall and go with a competitor. Its a shame this is simply not included in windows8 and that anyone would have to go through this much trouble just to have a dependable start menu. I don't need every $5 3rd party utility app on my system phoning home for their own self-serving reasons.

Support just offered to help, but you have refused to run the tool needed to investigate further.

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting saraba, reply 3

 I am also having Start8 licensing issues...Please help.  

I also can not use Start8 after the last update.. this has been inconvenient for a week now

I am using Start8 on 4 computers.

1st computer is My PERSONAL work Computer.
2ne computer is My Personal Gaming tower for home.
3rd computer is My Personal Laptop for home.
4th computer is my Husbands Desktop Tower for home.
I had no problems with licensing issues until I allowed Start8 to UPdate computer 1 " my PERSONAL " work desktop
..
I don''t know how many computers are listed on your records but it should be no more than 4. Will you please FIX this issue. 
Thank You.

Four computers would be in excess of the number permitted under the EULA so I would imagine that is causing the problem here.

But if you contact [email protected] they can investigate further.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Look. You guys are not MS or Adobe. Obviously you didn't know what you're doing with this license activation scheme. Why are you being such _ _ _ _ s to your customers? Do you think I'm going to recommend Stardock to anyone after this experience?

It is NOT my responsibility to win back the right to use the software I paid for. You messed up, you should fix it. Look at all the people up and down your forum that are having issues.

I fail to see the intelligence behind this idea. Start8 is a $5 utility. In order to provide all of the support for legitimate activation requests/errors your getting, I can't imagine that it makes financial sense.

Lastly, if one purchases your software they should be allowed to uninstall and reinstall it a THOUSAND times if it suits their fancy. As long as its on one machine as agreed. You gain nothing by following in the footsteps of M$/Adobe to put the onus on the customer for digging themselves out of these situations.

However, my situation and about half of your support requests are different. I've only installed it once, on one computer, and since the last update it asks to reactive. FIX YOUR SOFTWARE and put it on your customers to help troubleshoot your bad programming.

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

hey guys, just wanted to drop in for a moment. I have also updated my start 8, even made some new icons I like them to look some what like it has something to do with what the folder is meant to present. I use a program that's been around for years and I mean win98 and such, but he has managed to keep up with the software rotations we all do at some point, its called Micorangelo Toolset ver 6 (64bit) don't no much about him, he has a private site only allows users that use his program and it cant be installed on another machine, he has an email address inside the secured site. for support. its one of the best icon apps i have ever seen.

not saying this is a fix for the start8 issues, because i don't and i made my own icons from Micorangelo, to add to my own icon collections. when he started he only did 16 bit, now the program does all 3 modes. i was wondering if something from Stardock program might be doing something wrong with Stardock  icon developer, i have

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Thumbs up- I bought this software for a reason- I didn't like the new Windows 8 crappy menu. But Stardock is forcing me into it- it took me a few attempts to figure out how to shut down my computer, because I couldn't use it, and Start8 was (once again) not activated. Perhaps a monthly check that it is legit would be fair, but it seems every time I start my laptop and there is a delay in finding a wifi signal, I have to re-certify. It is not good enough, I will never but another Stardock product.

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting ianmcleish, reply 9

Thumbs up- I bought this software for a reason- I didn't like the new Windows 8 crappy menu. But Stardock is forcing me into it- it took me a few attempts to figure out how to shut down my computer, because I couldn't use it, and Start8 was (once again) not activated. Perhaps a monthly check that it is legit would be fair, but it seems every time I start my laptop and there is a delay in finding a wifi signal, I have to re-certify. It is not good enough, I will never but another Stardock product.

This should not be the case, but I will chase to find out whats going on about fixing it.  Your activation should remain valid with or without an internet connection.