Corel VideoStudio Pro X8 Installation and Registration Issue

[dpack4]

Hello all –

I've been using CVS Pro X7 on my Windows 7 64bit workstation for a while. I recently purchased CVS Pro X8 64bit but held off on installing it until my computer received the free Windows 10 upgrade. Upon finally getting Windows 10, turns out I can't use that OS due to my audio editing application not being compatible. I never installed CVS Pro X8 to Win10. I wiped my hard drive and clean installed Windows 8.1 64bit where I know everything is supported and compatible. Here is where I tried for the first time to install CVS Pro X8.

After starting the EXE (as administrator), I am prompted with a box to extract all the setup files to a specified folder. As the window recommends, I will leave the files where they are placed after installation and not delete them. During the extraction, once it gets to a certain data cab file, I get an error pop up window stating catastrophic failure. I then end task on the window or it will close out on its own.

I've tried extracting to all different locations with the EXE in different locations in case it was a path or rights issue. No luck. Just to see if it would work, I downloaded the trial version of CVS Pro X8 and it installed and ran with no issues. I then uninstalled the trial version since it would not let me activate it with my license key.

I then tried my purchased copy again and it failed right on cue. This time, I went to the extraction folder and noticed it appeared to be fully populated with all the files necessary to install the application. So I manually ran the setup.exe and was actually able to install it successfully! I quickly made a backup of all the files to use later so I don't have to mess with the extractor EXE in the future. I must have had a corrupt file and my download link to get another one had already expired.

So, I made it past problem one, but now it is on to problem number two. When I launch CVS, I am prompted with the same message as the trial software gave me. Nowhere in the menu system (File, Help, etc.) can I find where I can enter my license key to register it. On exit, I am prompted with the 30 day trial window only with the option to buy; no “already purchased” link to click so I can enter the key.

I think because I installed and then uninstalled the trial version earlier, something was left on the computer (either a file or registry setting). When I installed the purchased copy, it is now being treated as if I reinstalled the trial version.

The question is how can I register what I already purchased or at least make it think it is no longer a trial version so I can enter my key? I wanted to try the forums first before I have to contact Corel Customer Support. I don't want to have to wipe out Windows and rebuild clean again. That will force me to reactive Windows another time not to mention the time to rebuild the system again.

Thanks!

[Ken Berry]

I'm afraid I would have to agree with your conclusion that you reinstalled the trial version, and not your downloaded version. Normally, the full version requests your name and serial number as one of the very first steps after extraction has finished and the installation actually begun. If you did not get this but only the request for your country or TV system details, then it is not the full version.

Did you actually try your download link to establish it had indeed expired? Normally they last quite some time -- though that usually relates to registered copies of the program, and of course you have not yet managed to reach the registration process...

Otherwise, I suspect you will have no alternative but to approach Corel. However, there could be bad news there too since they offer 30 days free support for installation issues, but I suspect that runs from date of purchase, not date of installation. They do, however, run a Video Studio Facebook page which is staffed by Corel employees. Needless to say, they try to promote a positive image there, so that could be your best bet...

[dpack4]

You were right! The setup files folder I saw in the Program Files (x86)\Corel folder was from the trial version. I uninstalled the trial and, apparently, it removes everything but that folder. I thought I was installing from the purchased file but it fooled me. I manually deleted the entire Corel folder, my profile's AppData\Local\Temp folder, and then extracted the purchased file again. Once it crashed, I checked Program Files (x86)\Corel and the Setup Files folder was back. This time, it was slightly smaller than the first one but still looked like most of everything was there.

Nothing to lose, I manually ran the setup.exe file, and this time, was presented with the license key screen. Sweet! I followed through the rest of the wizard and it completed successfully to my surprise. I launched CVS and it looks registered to me. There is a license number listed on the Help > About screen, and when exiting, I do not get any pop up windows.

I then installed the additional Contents EXE and it worked without issue. Once in, I instructed CVS to check for updates and it prompted to install CVS X8 Service Pack 1. I paused, went to the Corel support site, and didn't see where that is available to download. Before I allowed SP1 to install, I dug down into my profile's AppData\Local\Temp folder and found the service pack files. I copied them to my backups and then let it run.

As far as I can tell, CVS is fully installed, updated, and registered. Since the only error was during the extraction, the install should be stable and not missing anything. I'm ready to get back to capturing and editing!

PS – At a glance, I noticed Corel really strips a lot of features from the trial version. I have a lot more menu items now. I was surprised to see they disabled hardware acceleration! Really? Make the trial process videos slower than normal. Yeah, that's going to put people off and may cause them to miss a sale thinking it will always be that slow or their computer doesn't support it. The registered copy allows me to check all the boxes now. My backups are set with the extracted setup files for the app and service pack along with the working contents file. If a reinstall is needed later, I just run what I've saved. The learning curve is finally over!

...and you'd think a (heavily promoted) 64bit application would install to Program Files instead of Program Files (x86). They are still putting it in the 32bit apps location. Yes, I do have the 64bit version. It says (64bit Pro) on the About screen.

[Ken Berry]

At a glance, I noticed Corel really strips a lot of features from the trial version.

You're right. And it's a hell of a lot more than hardware acceleration. Apparently anything which attracts a licence fee payable to third party companies has been stripped out of the trial version. To my mind this makes it useless as a trial and moreover a disincentive for new users to ever buy the full version. We has told this to our contacts in Corel, but they are governed by the bean counters in head office!

...and you'd think a (heavily promoted) 64bit application would install to Program Files instead of Program Files (x86). They are still putting it in the 32bit apps location. Yes, I do have the 64bit version. It says (64bit Pro) on the About screen.

That of course is just the set of installation files. If you look at C:\Program Files, you will see that the main program is actually installed there as a full 64 bit program.