Re-install app

[mdq8]

Hi guys ...
I have a MacBook Pro, i bought a photo editing app months ago,now i replaced my old HD with a new SSD, after installing the OS i couldnt install my photo app again, it didnt accept the Serial number, I contacted the developer and he said you can only install the app on one machine !!
Does that apply to all the apps im going to buy in the future in case i changed my MacBook or HD ?
Thanks ......

 

[HDFan]

It varies from app to app. Some don't care, some give lip service, some are totally paranoid, such as requiring you to insert a special USB drive which they provide in order to do an installation.

When I run into this problem I call customer support and they either remove the lock or give me a new serial number. Have you tried that? If you have legitimately purchased the software and can prove it, they should support your moving it to a new machine.

 

[mdq8]

It varies from app to app. Some don't care, some give lip service, some are totally paranoid, such as requiring you to insert a special USB drive which they provide in order to do an installation.

When I run into this problem I call customer support and they either remove the lock or give me a new serial number. Have you tried that? If you have legitimately purchased the software and can prove it, they should support your moving it to a new machine.

I did contact them but they never replied, i sent more than 5 emails but no use,i think my only option is to buy it again unfortunately.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I did contact them but they never replied, i sent more than 5 emails but no use,i think my only option is to buy it again unfortunately."

When the software developer treats you like this, my suggestion is, get another copy however you can (even if from a cough, choke, "unauthorized source").

You paid for it, and now they won't let you use it.
So... if they won't help... "do what you have to do".

 

[MSastre]

If you have the old drive with the app on it, you should be able to boot from that drive and transfer the app over if all you did was change the drive. It is not a different machine. Alternately, boot from the old drive and compress the app (from drop down menu when you right click), then copy that to a usb stick and bring that into new drive. Might work as I've done that a couple of times.

 

[HDFan]

I did contact them but they never replied, i sent more than 5 emails but no use,i think my only option is to buy it again unfortunately.

Non-responsive customer support is a real problem. The question is how much time do you want to spend getting it resolved? There are a number of steps you can take.

1. Try calling them
2. If they don't have any phone number, get the company's phone number and use that
3. If that isn't listed anywhere, see if the Better Business Bureau or equivalent has a number. Try calling that.
4. If no luck, File a complaint with the BBB or equivalent
5. Get the CEO's name (usually can find with Google) and write a letter of complaint.

I notice that you haven't given the apps name. I would include the name in this thread so others know to avoid buying it. Sometimes companies will see the post and respond. I went through most of the steps above with MacUpdate and the issue was finally resolved when they responded to a post that I made to MacRumors.

But after fixing this problem when another occurred I was back to ground 0, no response from MacUpdate. Same thing with another product where I ended up contacting the CEO. Got the immediate problem fixed, but since customer support was non-functional subsequent issues again were ignored.

Is there no other app that will do the job? When I make purchases I generally look at customer reviews to see support experiences. When I see that customer service never responds I won't buy the product.