Another "Incorrect licensing data" thread. (Problems with old WB - old Windows)

Started by snowsnowsnow, October 29, 2024, 01:25:19 PM

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snowsnowsnow

I have kind of a weird problem here.  I am running Win7 and WB2006D.  Why?  Because I like them, and don't trust the later versions of either.  So, don't bother telling me I need to "upgrade".

About 10 years ago, I installed (32 bit) WB2006D on (64 bit) Win7, and found that my previous method of installing the license info didn't work - because apparently changes had been made to where the registry keys are stored (in Win7 vs. XP).  I think that I posted a thread here then and got the info I needed and got it working (I think it is just a different registry key that needs to be poked).  It has worked fine since (on that old machine). However, that machine has now crashed and burned and I need to re-do it all.  Needless to say, the paper documentation containing the codes is long gone and nowhere to be found.  I did find a text file containing a code (the big long one with numbers and letters and dashes and also the short 6 digit control number), but they did not work (got "Incorrect licensing data" error).

Note, BTW, that on Win7, you need to launch winbatch from an administrator Command prompt or else it won't be able to install the licensing info.  I found this out the hard way - when you launch WB (from a normal Command prompt - not elevated) and then click on "Licensing info" and then "Add licensing info", it just flashes a window, which immediately closes and then  goes back to the main "Winbatch" screen".  Also, a similar failure happens if I try to un-install Winbatch from the "Advanced Options" screen - because it can't do the un-install non-elevated.

By the way, I do have a licensed copy of WB current from a few years ago - but I'd have to hunt around a bit to find the magic strings for that.  Don't know if that would help getting 2006D working (or not).

Anyway, where to proceed from here?  I really need to get this working on the new Win7 machine.

spl

Stan - formerly stanl [ex-Pundit]

td

Snow++, can you receive an email message from the email address in your forum profile?
"No one who sees a peregrine falcon fly can ever forget the beauty and thrill of that flight."
  - Dr. Tom Cade


snowsnowsnow

This problem is now sorted.  Was user error.  Funny that in the email thread, the WB staff person who was helping me, was giving me credit for not making user errors.  Heh heh.

The problem is that the WB reg info consists of two parts - a short 6 digit number and a long string of letters/number/dashes.  One of these is called the "Control number" and the other is called the "registration ID".  Logically (to my mind anyway), the short 6 digit number should be the Control Number and the long one should be the "registration ID".  So, that was how I was putting it in (and, of course, it did not work).  On a lark (read, desperation), I tried putting in the other way - and it worked!

So, there you go...

Incidentally, it still doesn't work from (what I call) "the main winbatch screen" (what you get if you type "start winbatch" from the Command Prompt).  But it works if you get to the "shareware nag screen" (the one that says you have X days left to evaluate the software) and then enter your license info there.

td

You committed one of the 3 most common licensing errors. Being a long-time user likely prevented you from receiving the standard licensing problem response.

You are licensing an old version of WinBatch. Your old version does not have a manifest or codesigned executables on an old version of Windows that does, however, look for both. Licensing from WinBatch navigator does work well on newer versions of WinBatch that have a manifest and are codesigned.
"No one who sees a peregrine falcon fly can ever forget the beauty and thrill of that flight."
  - Dr. Tom Cade

snowsnowsnow

QuoteLicensing from WinBatch navigator does work well on newer versions of WinBatch that have a manifest and are codesigned.

Oh, I certainly believe you.  It is in the category of "the trials and tribulations of trying to run retro-software" ...  I'm just happy I finally got it working.

I just find it strange that it just blows up (when I click the button that says "Enter license info").  No error message or anything.

Also, glad to hear that the real name of that screen is "WinBatch navigator".

P.S.  Uh oh!!  I now have a more serious problem with licensing - I will take it up in email.


td

Among other typos, I should have indicated the default WinBatch screen's name is "WinBatch Navigator" with a capital 'N'.
"No one who sees a peregrine falcon fly can ever forget the beauty and thrill of that flight."
  - Dr. Tom Cade

snowsnowsnow

BTW, did you (generic "you") get the email I sent to support@islandlake ?

Update: This is now all sorted.  I'm good.

BTW, this does bring to light a, shall we say, "caution" about using WB Navigator and the "Enter licensing info" button.  If you are already licensed, clicking that button will un-license you.  As indicated in the email I received from your support, there should be a warning screen (with a Cancel option) telling the user of this risk.

Anyway, as I said, we're all good now.