COD 4: Backed into digital license corner

Hey All,

I've got a weird situation and was wondering if anyone could help, though I wonder if it's something that shouldn't even be asked.

I bought a digital download version of COD 4 for Mac. Since then, I've had a few nightmares with my machine. I've had to reinstall my system several times - three time related to issues which lead to logic board replacement and a few more related to problems I was having with Office 2008 which still haven't been resolved.

Anyway, I've had to get a new serial number from them as you're limited to three installs with the download version. I've now reached that limit again and they were none to friendly when I contacted them for another new number in such a short period of time.

Now I've been a proper digital-type for a long time. I don't pirate software and I don't even rip music I haven't purchased. (Trust me I'm no boy scout it's just a karma thing for me.)

Basically I've made a big mistake in buying the digital version, especially since I'm the type of person who likes to completely wipe their computer every once in a while and rebuild everything fresh just to get ride of all the extraneous stuff that collects. So that part's on me.

But does anyone know how the license process works?

I know if I clone my drive then the game will play fine. But I can't drag all the related folders that I know of from my clone to my newly rebuilt latop and have it work which is what I really need. Does anyone know if there's a file or folder that will enable me to play the game on the same computer with the same license, just with a rebuilt system? Is it a hidden file?

This would be simply so I can rebuild my machine and then play the game that I've paid for.

My guess is the install must have put something or altered something in my system files.

Anyone have any guess what it might be? Anyone?

aluminumapple said:

i baught the cod 4 digital as well on GameAgent.

but install of doing All that you have mentioned why dont you just burn the .dmg lol..?

than you basically have the copy of cod 4.

Or. just copy that one folder you really need thats called Call of Duty 4 Data and icons..?

Click to expand...

I have burned the .dmg. The problem is that every time you reinstall it you subtract one authorization off your serial number. Now I'm all out of authorizations. I cannot reinstall from my .dmg without a new or reset serial number.

Does that make any sense?

For those of you who recommend downloading again - aluminumapple - it's not the downloading that is the problem. As another person pointed out, when you install the game it has to verify your serial number and this is the process that is limited. Your serial number can only be verified/activated three times. I have my .dmg file backed up as I mentioned before but that solves nothing. If you ever have to reinstall with a fresh OS or system installed you then subtract from what's available with your serial number.

I do have a clone of my computer but the problem is that because of issues I'm having with Microsoft Office 2008, they're telling me I need to do a clean install of my system software. If I use my clone I'll be bringing over files that they suspect are giving me problems. I've had so many hardware and other problems that I'm already on my second serial number and on my last activation with that one.

As bmb012 mentioned, I'm sure there's a license file somewhere I just can't find it. I've looked through application support and preferences and just haven't been able to track it down. I suspect it's an invisible file or whatnot. Also suspect it's on the system level because I can play the game under another user.

Boy have I learned my lesson. I'll be buying the DVD version of a game if available from now on...

Cool. These are options I need to consider. Maybe I can still figure out what the game is installing in my system or wherever so I can deal with it that way.

If anyone else has any thoughts, thanks again.