Can i install purchased software on both my computers
cly
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Just purchased a second computer that is obviously superior to my 6 year-old-one. The older one is still working perfectly so i intend to use both at once for as long as i am able to.
I have over time purchased many software programmes such as video editing, photo manipulation and audio editing suites. As a general rule will i be able to use my installation disk for these programmes to install and use on my second PC?
I'm ok with my anti-virus protection as that specifically states that one can use it on up to 3 computers.
I have over time purchased many software programmes such as video editing, photo manipulation and audio editing suites. As a general rule will i be able to use my installation disk for these programmes to install and use on my second PC?
I'm ok with my anti-virus protection as that specifically states that one can use it on up to 3 computers.
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If the software requires some sort of on-line authentication to run fully then that process may fail if you install it a second time on a single use licence.
So this means that if at any time one's computer fails you then have to go re-purchasing expensive software programmes???
So what about when you are advised to reinstall in the event of faults how does the software know it's not a different ocmputer etc.?
The 'only one in use at a time' scenario would avoid that but not sure if any of them ever referred to that. I really struggle to think of anyone ever mentioning to me that they had to go out and buy new copies of all the software they use when upgrading computers.
Or is it that one could uninstall from the old computer and then install afresh in the new one? And in some way the disc marks that it has been uninstalled so can be installe don to a new computer?
Thanks for all input so far.
Didn't see that reply we posted at the same time, yes i am a slow typer lol.
But i would be interested as to the situation i mention, if one's computer crashes and can't be resucitated (lol am i too emotionally attached to my old computer using words like that?) does one then lose a fortune in software as well????? Surely that can't be right?
I only really have experience of commercial software (expensive) but I've always been allowed to transfer to another computer even if it needs a key, I just tell them that the old one is broken and they send me a new key for the new machine, they don't check but I'm always honest anyway (I have to be since it's work). Cheap software I've used at home always transfers anyway with the key, I've not got any expensive personal software.
If you do get a crash and have to use a new machine and it won't transfer automatically most definitely get in contact with the company and I'd expect them to sort it out - if not you know where not to put your money next time.
Not sure if I'd want to be trained by you. Supposing I thought I did need a licence but actually didn't . Your 'training', could cost me quite a lot of money if I shelled out for unnecessary licence fees. :eek:
Some consumer products allow multiple installations, but business software (which is what I was training IT professionals on) almost certainly does not.
The OP doesn't specify exactly what software he has, but most 'video editing, photo manipulation and audio editing suites' would most likely be one installation per licence.
Is that clear enough?
Unfortunately since each bit of software has its own licence terms its hard for anyone to give a precise answer. The only way to be sure is to read the licence agreement.
The reply above is clear, your original post wasn't.
Is that clear enough ?
Yes that's one installation but you can usually move it to another PC as long as it's uninstalled from the first one. Some of the software I use allows the key to be on a memory card that you can then move between PCs as you wish, this is much better than the software key that you have to uninstall then rei-install though the licence for that is usually a bit more.
The OP is asking if he can run the software on his old PC and the new one at the same time, so the answer is still 'probably not'.
The idea of installing software on a memory card (USB stick?) is a poor one. The read performance of such cards is slow, and a most software requires that is be properly installed in order to make changes to the registry etc.
Depends on how you defend 'run', most software allows you to install it on more than one machine but you're only licensed for one use at a time, where use if the app running.
Most software licensing is based on usage which is not the same as installing.
Who said anything about installing software on a memory card? The memory card is is just used as a dongle to authenticate the software so that it can only run on the machine that the card is plugged into even though it can be installed on many.
your new computer is going to be literally 10x faster.
installing the software on a memory card is ridiculous, though i don't think that is what was meant.
on the wider issue there are a couple of categories.
1 - things that can be installed on more than one computer eg some versions of office
2 - things that can not be installed on more than one computer technically or legally.
3 - things that can't be legally installed on more than one computer but will work technically.
if the software is older there may be more of it in section 3 than you think. even with current adobe stuff if you enter a valid key and block the app with your firewall it will work just fine.
Yeah that was the original question, however, i'm shocked at it not neccessarily being a 'given' that one can use it solely on a new computer when one's current one reaches the end of it's days.
So every time one purchases a new computer you also have to throw away and re-purchase tons of expensive software programs?
Ones i can think of off the top of my head i have are
Magix Movie Edit Pro 15
Magix Music Studio 12 Deluxe
Guitar Pro 5
Paint Shop Pro
Guess i'm going to have to track down the installation cd's and booklets etc. I might check out the FAQ's on their sites first, but they aren't the current editions of these programs.
Yeah i'm not fussed about uploading any extra fluffy bits and pieces that have been added over the years. So i have no need for it to contact their website.
It then depends if they have some sort of block coded in to prevent the programme if it can't do an E.T> (yep call home lol).
My video, audio and photo editing suites all perform to my needs as they stand. Therefore, as i say i wouldn't be fussed if they can't call home, so long as they still operate.
it really depends on the software. a lot of commercial software does not need to contact an activation server, a lot does.
even less needs to be deactivated.
most if not all software can be installed on more than one computer. just not at the same time. it's not clear to me why you think there is anything wrong with that. you do not have to repurchase everytime you buy a new computer.
installation cds will probably not be necessary. you can download the installer.
paintshop pro as an example. when you put in your key it validates it online. but after that it does not need to check. so i would imagine that being an example of something you could firewall block on the old computer and reinstall on the other. if it wont activate because the key is already in use you have the option to do it by phone, you would have to explain that your old computer died.
No, you misunderstand. The issue is that you can't run software on two PCs at the same time.
You should be able to move software from one PC to another legitimately. The only exception is some 'OEM' licensed software which is tied to the PC.
Bunch of thanks to everyone so far i've been able to pick up the likely variances and i guess there's only one way to find out..............FIGHT!.......oops that a tv show solution. Ok i mean by looking up any original info i can find on the licensing conditions and simply trying to installl on the new computer.
Mention of OEM reminds me that on my original computer it came installed with CyberLink PowerDVD etc, i guess that's the sort of valuable application i am sorely going to miss as i'm guessing that is OEM linked?
Incidentally, whilst copying my documents and everything else to an external hard drive (and then on to the new computer - yes i know not the speediest way to go about it, but i want a back-up in place away from my failing PC and not just on my new one) i notice i have the folder 'Program Files' which is many Gigabytes in size. Why can't i just copy and transfer that to the new computer? would that not make every program runnable???.
Can i at least with something free, like Open Office, copy the program file folder and plonk it on to my new computer? I have many spreadsheets and documents that i value and are important and i'd like to confirm that Open Office works on my new computer (which is 64 Bit compared to my present 32 Bit)
I prefer to install programs afresh using the installation disk so as to weed out any little faults that may have formed over time in their running. Albeit a little annoying with the odd programme as ones favoured customized settings can be many.
One programme/application (i never know the difference) is DigiGuide a massive tv guide. Within their FAQ they mention that one has to uninstall and install anew in the new computer, and it IS IMPOSSIBLE to run in both.
Some programs i would like to run in both until my present computer does 'suddenly' die.
Your Open Office stuff is safe. Open Office will be available for your new machine. But you should probably be using Libre Office, anyway.
Ouch possible danger alerted, glad i popped back for one last check. I was just about to think about testing a programme or two by copy and pasting into the new computer. Any talk of Registry changes spooks me lol. The most i'll do then is see what happens when i insert the installation discs.
Yeah i forgot all about Libre, i've only held back from switching up to now because of the amount of important spreadsheets and documents i have written and coded/formulated in Open Office. I didn't want to risk corruptng them by transferring them to Libre.
Thank you sincerly for both points you mentioned.