I have tried just about everything in this forum to activate EMC 9. I have uninstalled, re-installed, even tried the disconnect modem but don't get a 25 digit product key, I get the message no permission bad installation when trying to activate the MPEG codec in My DVD. Consequently, I cannot use the Media Selector in disc copy because it doesn't "read" the TS_video file. I have now done a complete DEll PC Restore and started from scratch. Same problem. I have downloaded and ran the suggested patches, etc. Any suggestions?

I have the same problem, and followed the same steps you did. Like you, no resolution.

This is incredibly frustrating.

Can anyone PLEASE help us?

Config details:

Brand new Dell XPS 410
Windows XP Home Edition SP2
Roxio Creator DE ver. 9.0.117
Build: 901B17R, DL2
All antivirus software and firewalls disabled

Exact procedure and error:

In Roxio Creator DE, click "Create DVD"

Popup warning:

"The following codec(s) must be activated before using the application: MPEG-2"

"Click OK to activate, or Cancel to abort"

(after clicking OK, I get)

"no permission - bad installation"

You have something completely different!

You have an OEM version which has never required activation!

Uninstall the software as well as any trial version you might have loaded and strictly follow the clean install procedures, here.

I tried all those steps. After re-installing Roxio Creator & MyDVD 9.0 DE from the distribution CD, Roxio Creator runs, but there's now no option to "Create DVD".

When I click the "Video" option on left, it now says:

"Upgrade your DVD and Video experience
Click here to learn about the exciting and entertaining world of DVD and Video"

But there's no option to actually do anything with a DVD.

You have an OEM version (from Dell). These are cut-down versions of the EMC 9 suite and have parts missing (I can't say definitely what parts as this varies with the OEM)

OK Dell used remote support to work on my computer for several hours. This required many steps, including re-installation of various codecs, removal and re-installation of Roxio (for the nth time), etc.

Finally Roxio Creator & MyDVD 9.0 DE would work, and I didn't get the MPEG-2 "no permission" error. I could burn a data DVD.

However it didn't have the "Create DVD" option. Also Sonic CinePlayer would never work -- playing a video DVD would cause a momentary hourglass, but nothing would play.

I now understand the DE version which Dell bundles doesn't have video DVD authoring. Yet there was an option labeled "Create DVD", which led to the previously-stated error sequence.

My guess is the Dell-pre-installed Roxio Creator software is configured improperly on some machines as delivered. Don't know if the cause is procedural, wrong installation image files, or what. Apparently it has the "Create DVD" option, yet the DE version doesn't have that capability.

Other problems were probably caused by the "sledge hammer" de-installation procedure which Roxio publishes. This is an elaborate procedure involving over 30 steps, requiring over a dozen reboots, and includes use of 3rd-party registry cleaning software, which can make hundreds of registry changes.

At this point my option is continue working with Dell to resolve the CinePlayer problem, then upgrade Roxio to Premier to gain video DVD authoring, or else de-install and use an alternate product.

This has not been a good experience, and has consumed two full work days.

As I said, the DE version is modified by Dell and what they did to it is something I honestly wouldn't know.

Their installation procedure is probably different as well (as it comes bundled with the OS on installation) so the normal clean install method probably won't work as you won't have the CD to re-install

And as a fyi - the clean install doesn't require a plethora of reboots

Dell ships a CD to re-install, labeled "Roxio Creator & MyDVD 9.0 DE". Unknown if the Roxio re-installation procedures are compatible with that CD -- maybe that's another problem area.

If you follow the entire Roxio "clean removal and re-install" procedure and reboot each time the app or XP requests it, it takes about a dozen reboots. The registry cleaning program alone probably required 5 reboots. I realize there may be shortcuts where you can skip some and get by with it, but in a problem solving mode the most conservative path is usually best.

It is a very cumbersome and time-consuming process.

I see 7 steps with one reboot. The only "3rd party" program involved is from MicroSoft…

It really sounds like you need to pursue this with Dell. The DE version seem to work for the vast majority of Dell users.

Just to be clear, the procedure that Roxio support sent me is about 30 separate steps. In addition to running specialized utilities from Roxio and Microsoft, it also involves use of a 3rd party registry cleaning tool from Abexo. Many, many reboots are required.

All that should be unnecessary. The only registry and file changes made during installation are made by Roxio software. Roxio knows what those changes are -- the Roxio developer who wrote the installation code specifically made each one. Therefore they should have a single-step "clean removal" tool which reverses all those changes, without requiring the outlandishly complex procedure involving various 3rd-party tools.

I pursued it with Dell, they were remotely connected to my system for many hours trying to fix it. Ultimately they got Easy Media Creator 9 to work, although there was no "create DVD" functionality (which I now understand is probably an intentional limitation of the DE version). However they were not able to get the Sonic media player to work.

After spending two full days working on this, I gave up and purchased an alternate product, which installed and worked perfectly with no errors.

I realize that Roxio Premium might likewise work well if installed from scratch, but this was such a bad experience I didn't feel like risking that path.

My advice for any other new Dell owners who experience this is immediately pursue it with Dell -- don't mess around with the complex Roxio procedure. The software is Roxio, but Dell shipped it already installed, hence Dell has primary responsibility to make it work.

If you're not a new Dell owner, you might have to pursue the Roxio procedure. Actually it would be interesting if the only ones who encounter this are new Dell owners. That could indicate the primary fault is a configuration issue with how Dell is pre-installing the software.

A couple of points for clarification

Dell not only pre-install, they also modify (and cut down) the suite.

Roxio didn't write the installer - if you look you see a .msi file - that's MicroSoft Installer, so the 'third party app' is actually a MS one to clean up another MS one

What seems to cause most of the problems is trying to install the full suite over a pre-installed, cut-down, modified version that isn't willing to come out cleanly. If Dell had done the same thing with the alternative you purchased, it's almost certain that you'd be on their website with the same problem