Macromedia software activation
The activation movies and FAQs on this page apply specifically to the following products version 5.0 and below:
- RoboDemo
- RoboInfo
- RoboHelp
- RoboScreenCapture
- RoboLinker
- RoboPresenter
- RoboHelp for Framemaker
- RoboPDF
Activation Movies
How to activate over the Internet?
How to activate by contacting Customer Care?
FAQ
- Product Activation Basics
- Privacy
- How Activation Works
- Requesting an Activation Code
- Product Specific Activation Questions
Product Activation Basics
- Why does Macromedia require activation?
- Macromedia asks that you activate the software to help us prevent software piracy. Software piracy is an enormous drain on the global economy. According to a report by the Business Software Alliance, worldwide losses due to software piracy in the year 2000 exceeded $11 billion. Software piracy has resulted in loss of jobs, decreased innovation, and higher costs to customers.
- What does activation do?
- The activation process ensures that the software can only be installed and activated by persons or organizations that have purchased the software.
- How does activation benefit me?
- By preventing software piracy, the activation process helps us keep costs down. These savings are passed to you in the form of lower prices and superior products and customer service.
- How will Macromedia software activation help thwart piracy?
- Product activation will help reduce casual copying by ensuring that the copy of the software being installed is legal and has been installed on a computer in compliance with the activation policy. Installations beyond those allowed by the activation policy will fail to activate.
- Will product activation make it more difficult for customers to install and use the software?
- Product activation is designed to be simple and unobtrusive for customers who legitimately acquire the software license. Customers will have the choice of activating via the Internet, email, or by telephone. Thousands of customers have used product activation to date with little or no difficulty.
- Do I need to register the software in order to activate?
- No. However, registering the software will only take a few minutes and will ensure that we have your correct contact information in our records. We also offer special promotional items to customers who register their software. The Activation Wizard will provide access to specific details about current promotions when you start the activation process.
- Can I transfer my license?
- Yes. Please contact Customer Service.
- Will Macromedia use activation to force me to upgrade?
- No, Macromedia will not use activation as a tool to force people to upgrade. Activation is merely an anti-piracy tool, nothing else.
Privacy
- What data is gathered during the activation process?
- The only information required to activate is a 55-digit Product Install ID. The Product Install ID is a combination of the product key and a hardware ID generated from a specific computer's hardware configuration. Product activation uses a hash algorithm to generate the hardware identifier and does not scan the computer’s hard drive or detect any personal information.
- For users who activate over the Internet, the Product Install ID is sent electronically. For users who activate by telephone or email, the Product Install ID is converted to numerical format (versus digital format) and displayed to them in the activation wizard interface. The 55-digit Product Install ID must be read over the telephone, or emailed to a Customer Care representative.
- Note: We can detect whether the computer is a laptop or desktop. This information is required for our activation policies.
- Are cookies placed on my computer when I activate?
- No. Product Activation does not place any cookies on the computer as part of activation.
- What personal information do I need to provide in order to activate?
- None.
- If I register my software, what happens to the personal data I provide to Macromedia?
- All personal information will be protected from unauthorized distribution. Based on registration opt-in options, users may receive our informative product newsletters and emails and other promotional items.
How Activation Works
- How does Macromedia software activation work?
- Software activation works by validating that a particular product key, required as part of product installation, has not been used on more computers than is allowed by the software's activation policy. Product key information, in the form of the Product Install ID, which is a combination of the product key and computer hardware ID is sent to the Macromedia activation server during activation.
- Software activation discourages piracy by limiting the number of times a product key can be activated on different computers.
- Activation is completed either directly via the Internet or by contacting Customer Care via telephone call or email.
- Note: We can detect whether the computer is a laptop or desktop. This information is required for our activation policies.
- What information do you record about my computer?
- Please refer to question, “What data is gathered during the activation process?” in the privacy section.
- How long does activation take?
- Activation is very simple and takes only a few seconds via the Internet. If you do not have Internet or email access, a Customer Care representative will be able to assist you over the phone.
- If I uninstall the software and have made no changes to the hardware of my computer, will I need to reactivate?
- No, once installed the software will remain activated.
- If my computer crashes and I have to replace some hardware, will I need to reactivate?
- Yes, you will need to reactivate. If you reinstall the software and are not able to reactivate via the Internet, please contact Customer Care via telephone or email. Please make sure you have your 55-digit product install ID available.
- US toll free: 1-800-603-6805
International or local: 1-858-847-7597
Customer Service online form
Business Hours 6:00 - 5:00 Pacific Time - NOTE: In the activation wizard, you can forward your Product Install ID automatically via email. Otherwise, please include your Product Install ID in all correspondence regarding activation.
- Will I need to reactivate if I install service packs or updates for my operating system?
- No.
- Will I need to reactivate if I install a new operating system?
- Yes, but if no hardware changes have been made, you can easily obtain an activation via the Internet
Requesting an Activation Code
- If I do not have Internet access, will I be able to activate?
- Yes. Please call or email our Customer Care department and they will be able to assist you with the activation process over the phone.
- US toll free: 1-800-603-6805
International or local: 1-858-847-7597
Business Hours 6:00 - 5:00 Pacific Time - NOTE: In the activation wizard, you can forward your Product Install ID automatically via email. Otherwise, please include your Product Install ID in all correspondence regarding activation.
- What are the hours of operation if I need to call Customer Care for activation?
- Business Hours 6:00 - 5:00 Pacific Time
Product Specific Activation Questions
- Does Macromedia software activation allow multiple activations of a single product key on multiple computers?
- RoboPDF 3.0
Installation and activation of a single product key for individual use is allowed on a work desktop and a personal laptop with registration Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop and a personal laptop if they register. - RoboPresenter
Installation and activation of a single product key for individual use is allowed on a work desktop and a personal laptop with registration. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop and a personal laptop if they register.
- RoboHelp for FrameMaker
Installation and activation of a single product key for individual use is allowed on a work desktop OR laptop and a home desktop OR laptop. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop or laptop and a home laptop or desktop.
- RoboHelp X5 and X4
Installation and activation of a single product key for individual use is allowed on a work desktop OR laptop and a home desktop OR laptop. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop or laptop and a home laptop or desktop.
- RoboInfo 5.0
Installation and activation of a single product key for individual use is allowed on a work desktop OR laptop and a home desktop OR laptop. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop or laptop and a home laptop or desktop.
- RoboDemo 5.0 and 4.0
Installation and activation of a single product key for individual use is allowed on a work desktop OR laptop and a home desktop OR laptop. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop or laptop and a home laptop or desktop.
- RoboLinker 2.0
Installation and activation of a single product key for individual use is allowed on a work desktop and a personal laptop with registration. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop and a personal laptop if they register.
- RoboScreenCapture 2.0
Installation and activation of a single product key for individual use is allowed on a work desktop and a personal laptop with registration. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop and a personal laptop if they register.
- What if I need to activate after business hours?
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- If you have not previously activated the software and have Internet access, you can quickly activate the software over the Internet.
- If you have uninstalled the software but have not made hardware changes to your computer, you can reinstall the software and the software will remain activated.
- If you have already activated the software but for any reason need to install it on a different computer, you will not be able to activate the software via Internet and will need to contact Customer Care. Depending on the product it will be either in trial or fully functional mode for a period of time.
- RoboPDF 3.0
Trial mode for 7 days. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop and a personal laptop if they register.
- RoboPresenter
Fully Functional for 7 days. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop and a personal laptop if they register.
- RoboHelp for FrameMaker
Fully Functional for 7 days. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop or laptop and a home laptop or desktop.
- RoboHelp X5 and X4
Fully Functional for 7 days. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop or laptop and a home laptop or desktop.
- RoboInfo 5.0
Fully Functional for 7 days. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop or laptop and a home laptop or desktop.
- RoboDemo 5.0 and 4.0
Trial mode for 15 days. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop or laptop and a home laptop or desktop.
- RoboLinker 2.0
Trial mode for 7 days. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop and a personal laptop if they register.
- RoboScreenCapture 2.0
Trial mode for 7 days. - Customers can install and activate one product key on a work desktop and a personal laptop if they register.
- If I do not want to go through with the activation process, what are my options?
- Without activation, the software will either remain in trial or fully functional mode for a number of days (please see above FAQ) after which time it will stop functioning completely until activated. The limitations are product specific and are listed within the Trial Interface of the software.
