I know that there isn't any formal support for trial versions, but I wondered if anone can help.
I instaled the VS9 trial, but when I try and run it says the 30 days are already expired.
I previoulsy had a VS6 trial installed, so I uninstalled VS9 trial, then VS6 trial, and reinstalled the VS9 trial and it still says it's already expired.
I understand the security on these things is designed to stop you using it by constant uninstalling/reinstalling trials but does anyone know a legitimate way round this for an initial 30 days?
VS9 Trial expired before use
Moderator: Ken Berry
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PeterMilliken
- Posts: 264
- Joined: Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:03 pm
- Location: Sydney, Australia
Yeah, I know a way but you probably won't like it! 
But I do this all the time with "trial" software - for two reasons: (1) you don't want to litter your system with junk that could potentially interfere with your valid applications and (2) you can get another "30 days" whenever you want!
So here is the process (that I know you won't like - but it really is worth the pain!):
1. re-image your hard drive with your OS (XP?), reload all of your day-to-day applications, reload all custom drivers that came with your computer etc etc
2. When you are sure that you have a nice clean "base-line", use something like Image for Windows (I would recommend using this one - it is shareware and very well supported!) or Norton Ghost (2003 version not v9!) to take a "snapshot" of your c: drive at this point in time.
Once you have done (1) above (used to take me about a day before I started taking image snapshots as described at (2)) then you can load any trial software you like, evaluate it and then just restore your image (I keep my image files on a second partition for fast access with a copy on DVD(s) for security). Also, if some months down the track you want to "have another go" at trialling a piece of software again then you just reload it - and have another "30 days"!
Another advantage to (2) is if your system starts acting "funny", just reload from your disk image and viola! a clean working system that you can use to troubleshoot your latest problem Too many people get on this forum saying "it used to work and now it doesn't" - who knows what their problem is? It could be a virus, it could be some software they loaded (for a trial ), obviously something "changed" - they just need to work out what it was. Many times working from a "known good point" can save many hours of frustration.
So take a recommendation - take the "hit" of starting your system from scratch and never look back - I haven't
Anyway, hope this suggestion helped.
Peter
But I do this all the time with "trial" software - for two reasons: (1) you don't want to litter your system with junk that could potentially interfere with your valid applications and (2) you can get another "30 days" whenever you want! So here is the process (that I know you won't like - but it really is worth the pain!):
1. re-image your hard drive with your OS (XP?), reload all of your day-to-day applications, reload all custom drivers that came with your computer etc etc
2. When you are sure that you have a nice clean "base-line", use something like Image for Windows (I would recommend using this one - it is shareware and very well supported!) or Norton Ghost (2003 version not v9!) to take a "snapshot" of your c: drive at this point in time.
Once you have done (1) above (used to take me about a day before I started taking image snapshots as described at (2)
) then you can load any trial software you like, evaluate it and then just restore your image (I keep my image files on a second partition for fast access with a copy on DVD(s) for security). Also, if some months down the track you want to "have another go" at trialling a piece of software again then you just reload it - and have another "30 days"! Another advantage to (2) is if your system starts acting "funny", just reload from your disk image and viola! a clean working system that you can use to troubleshoot your latest problem
Too many people get on this forum saying "it used to work and now it doesn't" - who knows what their problem is? It could be a virus, it could be some software they loaded (for a trial ), obviously something "changed" - they just need to work out what it was. Many times working from a "known good point" can save many hours of frustration.So take a recommendation - take the "hit" of starting your system from scratch and never look back - I haven't
Anyway, hope this suggestion helped.
Peter