Registering a Product Unregistering a Product Moving a License to Another System Frequently Asked Questions Registering a Product
During installation of the product, the License Manager application will automatically be started to register the product. These methods are available to register a product:
- Products can be registered immediately on the system where they are installed. This method requires an Internet connection and retrieves an Activation Code from our web site. This code is specific to the system where the product is installed. At the same time, the licensee's contact information (as provided by you) is updated in our records. Product activation is immediate.
- Alternatively, products can be registered without the requirement of an Internet connection on the system where the product is installed. Click on the button labeled "This Computer Doesn't Have Internet Access..." when the License Manager is initially displayed, and follow the prompts to complete the registration using your Internet browser. The product can be registered on our web site using another system, where the product is not installed. The License Manager will display an Installation Key, which is entered on our web site at https://softelvdm.com/register. The resulting Activation Code can then be entered in the License Manager dialog to activate the product. Product activation is immediate.
Unregistering a Product
While uninstalling a product, the License Manager application will automatically be started to unregister the product. Unregistering a product is only possible while uninstalling it. The License Manager cannot be used to just unregister the product.
Once a product is uninstalled and unregistered, it is available for immediate reinstallation on the same or another system.
These methods are available to unregister a product:
- Products can be unregistered immediately on the system where they are installed. This method requires an Internet connection. Product unregistration is immediate.
- Alternatively, products can be unregistered without the requirement of an Internet connection on the system where the product is installed. Click on the button labeled "This Computer Doesn't Have Internet Access..." when the License Manager is initially displayed, and follow the prompts to complete the unregistration using your Internet browser. The product can be unregistered on our web site using another system. The License Manager will display a Removal Key, which is entered on our web site at https://softelvdm.com/unregister.
- You can send an email to support@softelvdm.com for processing of the Removal Key. Make sure to include your license number and the Removal Key. Click on the button labeled "This Computer Doesn't Have Internet Access..." when the License Manager is initially displayed, and follow the prompts to complete the unregistration. Product Support is available during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 5 PM, EST, excluding holidays and weekends).
Moving a License to Another System
Moving a license between systems is quite straightforward and is a simple process.
The product must be uninstalled by accessing the Windows Start Menu's Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs and by selecting the product to uninstall. During uninstallation, the license manager automatically appears, in order to unregister the product. It is then immediately available for a subsequent reinstallation on another system.
Should you have skipped the unregistration process accidentally, simply reinstall and register the product on the same system again (important, you must register it), then perform the uninstallation with the required unregistration.
Should you be using a version of the software dating before October 2002, the license manager does not appear during uninstallation. In this case, simply download a product update (if available) and reinstall and register the product (important, you must register it) on the same system again, then perform the uninstallation with the required unregistration. For older products, such an update may not be available. Please contact Product Support for further assistance.
This process of moving licenses between systems requires no intervention on our part.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if I stop using the product and someone else takes over for me?
You can transfer a license to another user on a permanent basis. Simply contact Product Support before the new user starts using the product to receive instructions on how to best transfer the license. Our license agreement requires a written license transfer.
Q: My system crashed and I couldn't uninstall and unregister the product! Can I still reinstall the product?
Sure. You can reinstall the same license on the same system without any problems. The installation is tied to your system configuration. When you reinstall the license, the License Manager will detect that it is the same system and registration will be possible without any problems.
Even when you reformat or replace your hard-disk, reinstallation is possible without any problems.
The only time you really should make sure that you completely uninstall and unregister the product, is when you are moving the license to another system or if you want to transfer the product license to another user altogether.
Should you still run into any unexpected problems, just give us a call or email us, so we can assist you further.
Q: I really don't want to register the product!
That is unfortunate. You are passing up the opportunity to work with the best product and support in the industry. Product registration is mandatory. Without it, our products cannot be used.
If your have concerns regarding your privacy, please be assured that we respect your privacy and that none of the information you provide during registration is shared with third parties. At the same time, please keep in mind that you have licensed our intellectual property at a minimal price. Our only protection regarding abuse of our rights is to have an accounting system in place which prevents accidental or intentional violations of the license agreement .
Q: What happens if someone else installs the product using my license number?
The license will most likely be terminated. You will be contacted and will receive a written notice to that effect.
Never "share" your license with anyone. Instead, if anyone is interested in our products, we have demos available on our web site. Possible exceptions are Multi-user or Enterprise licenses, where multiple users use the same license number.
Q: What happens if Softel vdm, Inc. goes out of business?
Should our company cease to exist or stop business operations, we have contingency plans in effect which guarantee that our web site will be available for two additional years, during which time you will be able to receive instructions to permanently unlock the product.
Q: Our company has purchased 50 licenses of one of your products. Does each end-user have to use his own license number?
Normally, you would receive one license number which covers all 50 users. This is a Multi-user or Enterprise license, where multiple users use the same license number. However, if these 50 licenses were purchased by individual users (one at a time), you definitely have to use individual license numbers and you have to keep track of the license numbers and how many users are actually using our product. The same license number cannot be "passed around".
Q: What happens if I install the same product on the same system multiple times?
Nothing. That is not a problem. Our License Manager can generally spot dual-boot systems or reinstallations of the same software on the same system, even if the hard-disk is reformatted or replaced.
Q: We bought one license. What happens if our company has 10 end-users and each installs the same product on their system?
During the second installation, the person installing the product will be prompted by the License Manager that this is a reinstallation and that there is a possible license agreement violation. This user has the opportunity to provide an explanation for the reinstallation by contacting us. We review all installations and may contact the original purchaser and the installing user for clarification or possible license termination. If a license is terminated for a license agreement violation, subsequent installations are rejected by the License Manager. Possible exceptions are Multi-user or Enterprise licenses, where multiple users use the same license number.
Q: I know for a fact we bought just one license and 5 users have it installed on their system, but the License Manager has never complained that there was a reinstallation?
Normally, the License Manager will detect reinstallations. However, there are certain conditions where the License Manager prefers to silently accept a reinstallation, rather than question it. A successful installation and activation does not guarantee that you are in compliance with our license agreement. Oh, by the way, now may be a good time to purchase additional licenses.
Q: I have installed the software, but I didn't register it. I can use the software, ignoring the occasional License Manager message. Is that legal?
If this is an additional installation, then you are simply bypassing the licensing requirement of the product and you are using an illegal copy.
Our licensing mechanism is intended to prevent rampant abuse of our products, not to prevent you from legitimately using the product. Our License Manager insures the continued success of our products and our company, which should be of utmost importance to all our customers who are using our products as an integral part of their applications. For example, product activation could have saved our product SftTree/VCL, but we were forced to discontinue it because thousands of bootleg copies have appeared on South American "Shareware" CDs, rendering our product essentially unprofitable. Had this product required activation, some of our customers might have found this slightly inconvenient. However, this is less of an inconvenience than having to re-engineer their applications with a new component, which is the situation they are facing now.
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