WinDVD 2010 Activation Issues: Very Unhappy Customer

[njgruber]

It is now approaching three weeks and I have yet to be able to enjoy full unlocked use of WinDVD 2010 because I am unable to activate the software. After installing the software, I went to activate it online and all that happens is a blank dialogue box pops up which only contains an "OK" radio button. I assume I'm experiencing some error message but since the dialogue box is blank, I can't tell anyone what is happening.

Below are screen shots of what I keep getting when I try to activate the software via the Internet through the various options.

Your customer service hours are horrible but that is beside the point at this time. The one time I was able to get a hold of a representative, she was less than helpful. The only sense I got from her during the entire conversation was that the entire issue with my inability to activate WinDVD2010 was that I was doing "something" incorrectly although she wasn't never able to specifically tell me what that thing might be or even point me in a more helpful direction other than turn off your firewall & virus protection software.

I eventually just asked for her to provide me an activation code which she then tells me she cannot provide even though I have a my serial number sitting right in front of me. She tells me that she needs me to provide an installation code in addition to the serial number/code that came with my order. I'm assuming she is referring to a number that is supposed to be in the top line of this window next to "Installation Code," but as can be seen in the shot (with Serial number removed), there is nothing in those boxes.

She went on to say that because the software is not generating this installation code, something must have gotten messed with file as it was being downloaded and I would need to uninstall the software, re-download it from a link she'd provide (shutting down my firewall and virus programs while it was downloading) and reinstall it.

She sent me the following email which is quoted in full except for my product's serial.

from Corel Support mycasesupport@corel.com via itqxg7m0ootjc83p.p0k3ua.6jqvaeac.6.bnc.salesforce.com
sender-time Sent at 5:23 PM (UTC). Current time there: 3:49 AM. ✆
to "njgruber"
date Mon, Jun 27, 2011 at 5:23 PM
subject ESD WINDVD PRO 2010 Download Link with Serial Number and Instruction
mailed-by itqxg7m0ootjc83p.p0k3ua.6jqvaeac.6.bnc.salesforce.com
Important mainly because of the words in the message.

hide details Jun 27

Hi Sir,

Good Day.

Here is the WINDVD PRO 2010 Download Link:
http://www.corel.com/akdlm/6763/downloa ... 010-PF.exe

Serial Number: YS10R22...

We suggest to temporarily disable your Windows Firewall, antivirus ( for antivirus requiring time frame, please click on permanent ) and UAC ( User Access Control Settings) to allow the installation process.

To temporarily disable UAC ( User Access Control Settings) For Windows Vista/ Windows 7: Go To Start > Type UAC ( User Access Control Settings ) > Drag Lever Control Downwards ( Never Notify ) > Click OK

We recommend you to delete cookies ( Tools > Internet Options > General tab ) and to delete cache ( Tools > Internet Options > Content tab > Clear SSL state ).

*Please do not forget to enable your Windows Firewall, antivirus and UAC ( User Access Control Settings) after the installation process.


Install the product or program using the download link provided above.

If you have any problems with this process, please contact our Technical Support at your specific country or region:

North America (USA/ Canada)- 1-877-662-6735 with office hours from Monday - Friday (9:00am to 7:00pm EST)


Yours In Service,

Jona
Corel Customer Support Services


ref:00D6Jqva.5006DAUOF:ref

In short, I got off the phone with Corel customer support much more frustrated than I was before I call and with my problem is still unresolved. but figured I would at least try her solution. I turned off all my firewall and virus software and disabled my machine's User Access Control Settings per her email but once I got to end of the process, I still got the same results as before.

I addition, while I'm not a computer science or IT expert, I do consider my computer proficiency to be well above that of a typical consumer, particularly for this specific piece of software and the solutions the Corel rep was giving me did not make any sense to me nor did they make any sense to a few of my friends who do work in the IT and programming industries.

At this point, I am feeling very ripped off by Corel. I paid for software that I cannot currently run and your telephone customer service did absolutely nothing to help me resolve the problem. I have not been able to call customer service back because your center's hours are so limited that I am rarely available during the hours the center is open due to my work schedule. I don't feel like I would be very pleasant towards them if I did end up talking to someone because of my prior experience with Corel's "customer support."

I'd appreciate any feedback on my current activation issues and any steps towards resolving them.

Thanks
NJGruber (#166859658)

[wbm56]

Did you buy the boxed version or the downloaded version? I bought the boxed version and I don't recall needing an installation code or activation code. My serial number was on a sticker stuck underneath the flap of the cardboard envelope holding the product CD. I think the other codes are just supposed to be automatically generated from the serial number based on what you say the rep told you. So maybe you have a bad serial number which fails to generate the other codes.

Double check your serial number to make sure you entered it correctly. Zero instead of the letter O or vice versa?

If that doesn't work and you can still get a refund, maybe get a refund for the downloaded product and try ordering a boxed product.

[BrianCee]

While we all understand your frustration njgruber - there is one vital point you have missed - This is a "User to User" forum - you are not talking to Corel here so references to 'your' etc. have no meaning. We are all just users trying to help other users like yourself to get out of problems - true we do have a couple of Corel employees posting on here and they are not posting as officials of Corel but as users wth a little extra knowledge trying to help people like you.

So please understand - everyone here will do anything they can to help you - but we are not Corel - we have no control over their customer services neither do we have knowledge of when fixes or patches will be available.

Anybody who can help you will - but this forum is not a contact to Corel.

[stunts]

Hi njgruber, I have exactly the same problem as you, and have the same 64 Win 7 OS. I called support and a very helpful lady (in the UK) offered to send out a free version via DVD and instructions on how to uninstall the downloaded version. My errors were the same as your screenshot including the missing elusive installation code. I would call Corel back and request the same because you have every right to use their software and it is there own over the top security measures which is preventing you from installing it, in my opinion. Good luck with it.

[teknisyan]

Hello NJGruber ,

I'm sorry hear about your problem... here's a work around that I usually suggest for blank screens during installation... though not for WinDVD but it's worth a try.

You may want to try creating a new Windows user name (with admin access) from CONTROL PANEL > USER ACCOUNT. Switch to that new user name then install your WinDVD from there, that should do the trick. If not, PM the case number and I'll do a follow up.

[CrazyJose]

due to the help of protexis i could fix my well known "logiclayer"-error. but now i have problems to activate my windvd 10. i attached a screenshot. when i want to activate the program i only get a blank popup with an OK button. i tried abiels workaround but it couldn't help
i would be very pleased if someone has an idea what to do

many thanks