Cannot activate ASP on Linux

[bin]

This is very strange. My Trial period ran out and I decided to buy ASP for my linux system. I'd been thinking about it and decided that the significant speed advantage over Darktable and Rawtherapee made it worthwhile. I've been linux only for 17 years.

So, I hit the button and bought the full version of Aftershot Pro - couldn't see enough difference to warrant ASP2. Got the key via Cleverbridge and although it was a Windows purchase I am reliably informed the key is good for Linux as well. So, went to enter the key and it all goes horribly wrong.

After much trial and error I have found that the second and subsequent sections for the key will not accept any letter between and including g-z or G-Z. A-F or a-f are OK. Also the key is 4 groups long, the entry box has 5 dashes for a 6 group key. Yes, I have tried pasting the key in - all at once and section by section.

I'm using Mint 17.1 ('buntu 14.04 LTS base) I get the same with Debian 8 and also LXLE (another 'buntu LTS spin). I've tried using US and UK English locales - no difference. I've tried install back to 2.1.0.40 and still the same problem.

The laptop is an oldish HP/Compaq with ATI X1400.

I've passed this on to Corel Support and so far been recommended to re-install..........

Does any of this sound familiar to any Linux using ASP people? I have seen a couple of threads about activation, but nothing like this. The fact that a-f are OK makes me think of hex values, but from there I'm stumped.

[Ken Berry]

I have referred this, as I have other activation problems, to the Corel execs who look after ASP. Hopefully they will get things sorted out.

I should add, though, that with other Corel products, we normally advise against activating trial versions as they have caused all sorts of problems in the past. Instead we recommend uninstalling the trial version and downloading the full version from the link provided with the activation key/serial number.

[bin]

Ken
Thanks for the insight, however there is no link to download the full Linux version. The purchase process is Windows only with no choice I could see to specify a Linux version.
Robin

[Hobgoblin]

Ken
Thanks for the insight, however there is no link to download the full Linux version. The purchase process is Windows only with no choice I could see to specify a Linux version.
Robin

Try downloading the version you require from this page http://www.aftershotpro.com/en/support/updates/

The Linux versions are all complete packages and should install without issues.
I believe the 'Aftershot 2' and 'Aftershot 2 Pro' Packages are identical - the licence dictates which version you run.
Bear in mind that you may have a Licence specific to a particular version if you have purchased recently.

HTH,
R.

[bin]

Thanks very much for the suggestion Hobgoblin. I've already been down that route and even went so far as to install a 32 bit system on a spare drive and installed 2.3.0.99.
However, still got the same problem - cannot enter all the key values into the boxes - they just do not appear.

[Hobgoblin]

Thanks very much for the suggestion Hobgoblin. I've already been down that route and even went so far as to install a 32 bit system on a spare drive and installed 2.3.0.99.
However, still got the same problem - cannot enter all the key values into the boxes - they just do not appear.

How frustrating!

Just a thought.
There was a time when the problem was caused by an incorrect language code page either in a Browser or an E-Mail Client corrupting the underlying ASCII code.
A valid code should have this pattern, AF01234-123456-123456-123456-123456-12345, i.e. 42 Characters including ----
Perhaps try:
Copy (cut and Paste) the Activation code from the E-Mail you have received.
Paste it into a new text document, save that and then reopen it.
Now copy and paste the code from that document into the ASP2 Unlock Serial Number space taking care to ensure that you have NO leading or trailing spaces.
Delete the - - - - - from the box, before pasting.
The User name does not seem to be critical but must exist!

Other wise keep pestering Corel, they are not unaware of the issue.

[Alex Brazeau]

Hi bin,

You mention you upgraded your trial of AfterShot Pro, not ASP2. Do you know which version number(s) you've tried to install? If you can send me a PM with your serial number, I'll look into it. Thanks.

[bin]

Thanks very much for the suggestion Hobgoblin. I've already been down that route and even went so far as to install a 32 bit system on a spare drive and installed 2.3.0.99.
However, still got the same problem - cannot enter all the key values into the boxes - they just do not appear.

How frustrating!

Just a thought.
There was a time when the problem was caused by an incorrect language code page either in a Browser or an E-Mail Client corrupting the underlying ASCII code.
A valid code should have this pattern, AF01234-123456-123456-123456-123456-12345, i.e. 42 Characters including ----
Perhaps try:
Copy (cut and Paste) the Activation code from the E-Mail you have received.
Paste it into a new text document, save that and then reopen it.
Now copy and paste the code from that document into the ASP2 Unlock Serial Number space taking care to ensure that you have NO leading or trailing spaces.
Delete the - - - - - from the box, before pasting.
The User name does not seem to be critical but must exist!

Other wise keep pestering Corel, they are not unaware of the issue.

Thanks for that Hobgoblin - The possibility of a codepage or locale issue did occur to me so I did try pasting via Leafpad, also changed locale but haven't yet resorted to switching from UTF-8 to ISO-8859-1. However, even typing the key makes no difference.
What does help is the key length information. The number format is the thing that has been bothering me all along.
As I mentioned originally my number is only 4 groups long, though the box is looking for 6 groups.
I realise I may have confused matters - I originally purchased AfterShot 2, I don't think the key layout will be any different, though both the support ticket and online chat with sales confirmed my code was valid.

Good to see another Pentax owner on Mint as well - I currently have K100DSuper and *istDS. Looking to go up to K-50 but I'm too hooked on the top LCD and the K-5 etc are all too heavy with the 28-200 on the front so I'm keeping an eye out for a low mileage K200D.

[Hobgoblin]

Lets hope Alex sorts this out for you!
Do keep us informed.

[bin]

Well, I've just had a very helpful email from support telling me how to use a Microsoft Fixit tool to clear out the registry entries or something like that. This is in spite of the fact that they are clearly aware it's a linux system. You couldn't make it up could you? Surely the first thing they would do is fire up an Ubuntu system and quickly validate the issue - that's support 101!!!

[rhpot1991]

Same issue here, I need to re-enter the key every time I launch. Ubuntu 15.04 64bit, Aftershot 2.3.0.99. My key is from ASP 2 launch.

[Hobgoblin]

Well, I've just had a very helpful email from support telling me how to use a Microsoft Fixit tool to clear out the registry entries or something like that. This is in spite of the fact that they are clearly aware it's a linux system. You couldn't make it up could you? Surely the first thing they would do is fire up an Ubuntu system and quickly validate the issue - that's support 101!!!

What makes you think they have a Linux based system in the their support department - that’s for Developers only of course.

[bin]

So, after going round Robin Hood's barn a few times the solution is relatively simple - though a bit annoying at the same time.
After installation the application appears in the menu as Aftershot 2
When the demo is started you get the choice of using Aftershot 2 or Aftershot Pro 2
In use if you go to the Help menu you get the option of buying Aftershot 2
The window title shows as Aftershot 2

BUT the full program Aftershot 2 for Linux does not exist. OK, if you go to the Aftershot 2 web page and click on System Requirements it shows Windows. Do the same with Aftershot Pro 2 and you see Linux plus Mac (and Windows)

So for Linux the only option is to buy Aftershot Pro 2 (and get refund on the Aftershot 2 purchase). This I have done - just waiting for refund.

Now, I'm willing to put my hand up and say yes, I should have checked the system requirements. However, given that I am running a demo of Aftershot 2 for Linux with a purchase process in the menu and everything says I'm using Aftershot 2 is it not reasonable the think that I can therefore actually buy that version?

The software is not bad - certainly quicker than the opposition Darktable/Rawtherapee/Lightzone/ and it is easy to use - I actually do like it...........but boy the Linux demo version needs to be modified to only allow Aftershot Pro 2 to launch - and to show Aftershot Pro 2 in both menu and window title. Furthermore there does need to be some clearer direction on the download page that you have to buy the full Aftershot Pro 2 for Linux as Aftershot 2 does not exist.

[Hobgoblin]

So, after going round Robin Hood's barn a few times the solution is relatively simple - though a bit annoying at the same time.
After installation the application appears in the menu as Aftershot 2
When the demo is started you get the choice of using Aftershot 2 or Aftershot Pro 2
In use if you go to the Help menu you get the option of buying Aftershot 2
The window title shows as Aftershot 2

BUT the full program Aftershot 2 for Linux does not exist. OK, if you go to the Aftershot 2 web page and click on System Requirements it shows Windows. Do the same with Aftershot Pro 2 and you see Linux plus Mac (and Windows)

So for Linux the only option is to buy Aftershot Pro 2 (and get refund on the Aftershot 2 purchase). This I have done - just waiting for refund.

Now, I'm willing to put my hand up and say yes, I should have checked the system requirements. However, given that I am running a demo of Aftershot 2 for Linux with a purchase process in the menu and everything says I'm using Aftershot 2 is it not reasonable the think that I can therefore actually buy that version?

The software is not bad - certainly quicker than the opposition Darktable/Rawtherapee/Lightzone/ and it is easy to use - I actually do like it...........but boy the Linux demo version needs to be modified to only allow Aftershot Pro 2 to launch - and to show Aftershot Pro 2 in both menu and window title. Furthermore there does need to be some clearer direction on the download page that you have to buy the full Aftershot Pro 2 for Linux as Aftershot 2 does not exist.

Good to hear that you got it sorted out.

If you really want to get them to take notice post your comments on their Facepuke page - https://www.facebook.com/CorelAfterShotPro
They do take notice of Public criticism.