16 replies to this topic

[rc101]

I am utterly frustrated by EMC10 – software that I have used regularly over the last couple of years.

It became corrupted recently so I decided to reinstall it. Big mistake. Despite performing (several!) “clean re-installs” of the Software (I read the blogs) I am now being asked to activate the “MPEG-2 Codec” before using any of the Video Components (e.g. MY DVD10). When I try and do so, I am being told that I don’t have permission and that it is a “Bad Installation”.

ROXIO don’t seem to want to know and I can see from this Discussion Group and others that there are many dozens of legitimate users like myself who have had this problem.  Some claim that a clean Re-Install will solve the problem (it didn’t for me) some that “Manual Activation” solves the problem (it can’t because my EMC10 copy, at least, doesn’t generate the “Offline Product Activation” window required!)  I suspect though that many give up and get on with their lives. My hunch is that Roxio have withdrawn the link that allows Product Activation because EMC10 is no longer supported by them – and if that is the case beware anyone who has to re-install EMC10 (or earlier versions) from now on.

Interestingly, I cannot upgrade to EMC11 as Roxio would doubtless like me to do, because I am still using XP - and EMC11 is built for Vista and Windows 7 - so I am well truly stuck.

I of course may be wrong about all of this – please correct me if I am - and I’d certainly be delighted to hear of a solution other than the two I have already tried!

[jonatsonic]

HI RC -

I'll verify if that link is active or not. However, links that are for older products are not maintained if we upgrade servers or make other changes on the backend. Also, that type of activation process has been removed from releases 2009 and newer.

Creator 2011 is actually compatible with Windows XPif you should decide to upgrade.

Jon

[myguggi]

rc101, on 02 November 2010 - 10:29 AM, said:

I am utterly frustrated by EMC10 – software that I have used regularly over the last couple of years.

It became corrupted recently so I decided to reinstall it. Big mistake. Despite performing (several!) "clean re-installs" of the Software (I read the blogs) I am now being asked to activate the "MPEG-2 Codec" before using any of the Video Components (e.g. MY DVD10). When I try and do so, I am being told that I don't have permission and that it is a "Bad Installation".

ROXIO don't seem to want to know and I can see from this Discussion Group and others that there are many dozens of legitimate users like myself who have had this problem.  Some claim that a clean Re-Install will solve the problem (it didn't for me) some that "Manual Activation" solves the problem (it can't because my EMC10 copy, at least, doesn't generate the "Offline Product Activation" window required!)  I suspect though that many give up and get on with their lives. My hunch is that Roxio have withdrawn the link that allows Product Activation because EMC10 is no longer supported by them – and if that is the case beware anyone who has to re-install EMC10 (or earlier versions) from now on.

Interestingly, I cannot upgrade to EMC11 as Roxio would doubtless like me to do, because I am still using XP - and EMC11 is built for Vista and Windows 7 - so I am well truly stuck.

I of course may be wrong about all of this – please correct me if I am - and I'd certainly be delighted to hear of a solution other than the two I have already tried!

As Jon has stated there is no activation required by EMC-10 for any codecs. That was only required by the EMC 9 version as far as I know. Did you ever have EMC 9 (or any other version) installed on your system?

[rc101]

Jon - If that kind of activation "is no longer required" then why do you think I am being asked for it - and can I get past it somehow? Thanks for your response on EMC11 - it just doesn't say that in the Adverts.

(I didn't ever have EMC9 on my Computer in response to Myguggi's question).

Any help anyone can offer much appreciated!

[gi7omy]

As Walt said - do you have remnants of EMC 9 left from an earlier install? The codec there was a third party one and the makers of that were the ones who insisted on activation

Oh and there is no 'EMC11' (that would have been Creator 2009 if Roxio kept the original numbering system). The current version is Creator 2011 (which would have been EMC 13)

[rc101]

I never owned EMC9 - or earlier versions of this - so it's not a remnant of that that is causing the problem.

I do, of course, stand corrected on my use of the term 'EMC11' - I meant the 2011 version of Creator.

[DanRob]

rc101, on 02 November 2010 - 10:29 AM, said:

I am utterly frustrated by EMC10 – software that I have used regularly over the last couple of years.

It became corrupted recently so I decided to reinstall it. Big mistake. Despite performing (several!) “clean re-installs” of the Software (I read the blogs) I am now being asked to activate the “MPEG-2 Codec” before using any of the Video Components (e.g. MY DVD10). When I try and do so, I am being told that I don’t have permission and that it is a “Bad Installation”.

ROXIO don’t seem to want to know and I can see from this Discussion Group and others that there are many dozens of legitimate users like myself who have had this problem.  Some claim that a clean Re-Install will solve the problem (it didn’t for me) some that “Manual Activation” solves the problem (it can’t because my EMC10 copy, at least, doesn’t generate the “Offline Product Activation” window required!)  I suspect though that many give up and get on with their lives. My hunch is that Roxio have withdrawn the link that allows Product Activation because EMC10 is no longer supported by them – and if that is the case beware anyone who has to re-install EMC10 (or earlier versions) from now on.

Interestingly, I cannot upgrade to EMC11 as Roxio would doubtless like me to do, because I am still using XP - and EMC11 is built for Vista and Windows 7 - so I am well truly stuck.

I of course may be wrong about all of this – please correct me if I am - and I’d certainly be delighted to hear of a solution other than the two I have already tried!

I am having exactly the same problem, I have spent nearly all day carrying out complete uninstalls as outlined on your site and reinstalling to no avail.

This is hugely inconvenient, PLEASE HELP!

I am running XP with EMC 10 and have been using it without issue until today.

Edited by DanRob, 03 November 2010 - 05:52 AM.

[gi7omy]

The only other thing I can think of is something went wrong during the install. You may want to do a complete uninstall (following the procedure here)

http://forums.suppor...-on-windows-xp/

Then re-install making sure your anti-virus is turned off (not just paused - that can create problems on installation)

[DanRob]

gi7omy, on 03 November 2010 - 05:52 AM, said:

The only other thing I can think of is something went wrong during the install. You may want to do a complete uninstall (following the procedure here)

http://forums.suppor...-on-windows-xp/

Then re-install making sure your anti-virus is turned off (not just paused - that can create problems on installation)

Thanks, I have uninstalled as per instructions and reinstalled 3 times now. I will try once more with anti virus not running.

[jonatsonic]

Hey all -

Our tech lead is traveling right now so it may be a while before I get confirmation on the server.

To confirm the Guru's advice: anti-virus needs to be temporarily shut off. We (and other companies too) are seeing AV interfere more and more with installation. Again, the suggestion isn't to turn it off permanently, but just during the installation process.

We created this article as a basic check list: Preparing your computer for installing Roxio products

Hope this helps!

Jon

[DanRob]

jonatsonic, on 03 November 2010 - 08:07 AM, said:

Hey all -

Our tech lead is traveling right now so it may be a while before I get confirmation on the server.

To confirm the Guru's advice: anti-virus needs to be temporarily shut off. We (and other companies too) are seeing AV interfere more and more with installation. Again, the suggestion isn't to turn it off permanently, but just during the installation process.

We created this article as a basic check list: Preparing your computer for installing Roxio products

Hope this helps!

Jon

Thanks Jon, alas still no joy. I did a complete uninstall as per instructions and deleted every reference to roxio and sonic in the registry including some not mentioned. I then did another install without anything running including antivirus. I even ensured I wasn't networked at the time. This machine has only ever had EMC 10 installed on it so something else is causing this.

I will have to try updating everything else on the check list above when I have time.

This is so frustrating.

Edited by DanRob, 03 November 2010 - 09:00 AM.

[jonatsonic]

DanRob, on 03 November 2010 - 08:59 AM, said:

Thanks Jon, alas still no joy. I did a complete uninstall as per instructions and deleted every reference to roxio and sonic in the registry including some not mentioned. I then did another install without anything running including antivirus. I even ensured I wasn't networked at the time. This machine has only ever had EMC 10 installed on it so something else is causing this.

I will have to try updating everything else on the check list above when I have time.

This is so frustrating.

Hi Dan -

I can see why it would be frustrating. In my experience, the clean install instructions are really successful.

It could be on the OS level, like .Net or something that was updated in recent versions of software/OS that the older Roxio installer doesn't know how to detect/work with.

Let's hope the list will get you moving.

Jon

[sknis]

Try one more time.  Uninstall all Sonic and Roxio products usingRevo Uninstaller  in the MODERATE MODE.  It is free.  Do the preparation that Jon posted and then reinstall; Again with the anti-virus off.  

Revo will do a safe registry clean of just those applications.  Do not use any registry cleaners otherwize - some things like System Mechanic and the like are too aggressive.  Make sure you do a restore point or system back up before using Revo.  So far no one I recommended it to has had a problem and only one person came back to say it did not work.

One thought.  Did the computer come with some software.  For instance Dell computers now come with a OEM (cut down version) of Creator 10.X DE.  Perhaps they came with Creator 9DE or with some other piece of hardware.

Let us know if it works or not.

[rc101]

I started this thread so I am very pleased to report success at last  - on my 8th attempt at a clean re-install. The problem wasn’t due to a “missing link” to the Roxio website!

Thanks to you all for your help, and I’ll try and explain what was different on Attempt no. 8 in the hope that it will help my fellow sufferer, danrob.  

In fact, I did two material things differently this time:

1. I ran both Microsoft Windows Installer Clean up Utility and Revo Uninstaller - and didn’t use the Add/Remove Programs software in the Control Panel

2. I removed my Blackberry Desktop Software - I was reminded when I searched Explorer for all traces of Roxio/Sonic entries at the end of the process that the Blackberry program contains some Roxio software!

I did all the other stuff, of course, on each occasion – including deleting all the entries manually and switching off the Firewall and Virus Scan but it was the two above that seemed to do the trick.

If you do manage to crack it, danrob, we’d love to hear from you! Goodbye for now – and thanks again.

[gi7omy]

Yep - the Blackberry version doesn't play nice with the full retail one, but we need to be told if the Blackberry s/w is there first really

Edited by gi7omy, 04 November 2010 - 01:12 PM.

[DanRob]

SUCCESS at last, only took 6 attempts

Thanks for the support everyone. My path to success is below!


Uninstalled all Roxio products with Revo (linked above)
Ran Windows Install cleanup which had a mysterious 'Roxio Activation Module' listed which I hadn't come across anywhere before. Was it this causing the issue?
Edited the registry which still had a few roxio and sonic keys present
Deleted all Roxio and Sonic folders from the c:\ drive which there were a couple.
Updated Windows media player
Restarted withall system startup up items disabled in System Configuration Utility
Reinstalled EMC 10
Restarted
Registered product
CELEBRATED!

Thanks again.

Edited by DanRob, 09 November 2010 - 04:17 AM.

[gi7omy]

Congratulations - now go enjoy using the app

Yep - the 'activation' module was the problem