Adobe Acrobat 7 Professional Activation & Access Connect

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drblue · #1 Post by **drblue** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:12 pm

I am experiencing a weird problem with Adobe Acrobat 7 Professional (AA7P). As you know, AA7P requires online activation. I am supposed to register only once, and shouldn't do it again. The problem is that AA7P constantly asks me to re-activate the software. I can re-activate it without much problem, but it is certainly a hassle to do that all the time. When AA7P asks for re-activation, it shows an error message saying "The configuration of your computer has changed, and you need to re-activate your software..." I talked to Adobe, but they didn't have any idea. I began to suspect if it is the Access Connection that causes this weird problem. My theory is that the Access Connection changes some of the settings on the computer, which leads AA7P to believe that it is installed on a new computer (thus requires re-activation). Did anyone experience this problem? I would appreciate your input. Thanks.

jjesusfreak01 · #2 Post by **jjesusfreak01** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 9:27 pm

drblue wrote:I am experiencing a weird problem with Adobe Acrobat 7 Professional (AA7P). As you know, AA7P requires online activation. I am supposed to register only once, and shouldn't do it again. The problem is that AA7P constantly asks me to re-activate the software. I can re-activate it without much problem, but it is certainly a hassle to do that all the time. When AA7P asks for re-activation, it shows an error message saying "The configuration of your computer has changed, and you need to re-activate your software..." I talked to Adobe, but they didn't have any idea. I began to suspect if it is the Access Connection that causes this weird problem. My theory is that the Access Connection changes some of the settings on the computer, which leads AA7P to believe that it is installed on a new computer (thus requires re-activation). Did anyone experience this problem? I would appreciate your input. Thanks.

I personally would blame CSS before Access Connections. It shouldnt cause that type of problem regardless. Thats just my opinion though.

#3 Post by **jdhurst** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:01 am

Access Connections is not causing that problem for me. I have everything from IBM running on my ThinkPad except Client Security (which I didn't like or want). Everything else is compliant with Adobe Acrobat 7. ... JD Hurst

bill bolton · #4 Post by **bill bolton** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 5:10 am

drblue wrote:My theory is that the Access Connection changes some of the settings on the computer, which leads AA7P to believe that it is installed on a new computer (thus requires re-activation). Did anyone experience this problem?

Both products work fine together on my T43, but I'm also not running CSS.

Cheers,

Bill

#5 Post by **GomJabbar** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 6:22 am

I used to have this problem occasionally crop up with Norton Antivirus. I believe it had something to do with the registry hives not closing properly on shutdown. On shutdown error Windows would load a backup of the registry that did not contain the activation information. This could be caused by any number of things. A fresh install of Windows might fix the problem.

Just my ideas on what's happening.

K0LO · #6 Post by **K0LO** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 7:27 am

If that's the problem, before you reformat you might want to try this utility from Microsoft. It will make sure that the user profile hive is closed on shutdown:
User Profile Hive Cleanup Service

drblue · #7 Post by **drblue** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 10:41 pm

Thank you for all your feedback and comments. I will try the program KOlo suggested, and, if it does not work--although I don't even want to think about doing it--I might have to reinstall my Windows

Thanks again!!!

davidspalding · #8 Post by **davidspalding** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 12:21 pm

I'm running Acrobat 7.0 Std, AC 4.12, and CSS ... no problems. I suspect that you may have some ad-aware type program or something which is ... scrubbing the registry? removing "potential unwanted program (PUP)" files? Otherwise interfering with Acrobat "phoning home" to verify activation?

I don't think that Acrobat "phones home" like my McAfee stuff -- I could be wrong though -- so I tend to think you've got some software which is mucking around with the activation record.

FYI, I also have Photoshop CS2 and Premiere Elements also on this system, and the activations are fine.

drblue · #9 Post by **drblue** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 2:47 pm

I'm running Acrobat 7.0 Std, AC 4.12, and CSS ... no problems. I suspect that you may have some ad-aware type program or something which is ... scrubbing the registry? removing "potential unwanted program (PUP)" files? Otherwise interfering with Acrobat "phoning home" to verify activation?

Thank you for your comment. I also suspect that some program(s) is changing the registry. I use "Spyware Blaster" and "Spybot", but haven't had this problem in the past. This began to occur once I upgraded my old T43 with T60. All the programs I am currently using on T60 are pretty much the same as those that used to be on T43. The only exception was the "access connection," which I didn't use in the past. That was why I suspected whether "Access Connection" changes any registry information. According to others' feedback, it appears Access Connection is not the source of my problem. I guess it is time to reformat the hard drive

davidspalding · #10 Post by **davidspalding** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 4:16 pm

Everyone writes to the registry. It's what it's for.

But Access Connections, nay 99.9% programs, don't go changing the entries of other software. It's not something you see except from malware.

Which leads me to suggest ... if you want to save the reformat/reinstall ordeal, start uninstalling any gewgaw software you've got recently installed ... anti-spyware software, used improperly, can sometimes prevent normal registry writes by legitimate software, and even undo proper changes made by legit software. I strongly suspect what you've got is something that's interfering with Acrobat, and it's just not occurring to you yet. If you reformat and reinstall everything that you're using, chances are good that you're recreate the problem all over again ... after hours of futile reinstallation.

Think hard about your next move.

drblue · #11 Post by **drblue** » Sat Aug 05, 2006 4:47 pm

Thanks, Davidspalding. Your suggestion makes a lot of sense. I will try to uninstall any potential malware before I use a drastic measure. I hope that solves my problem. Thanks.

unitedunited · #12 Post by **unitedunited** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 9:34 pm

when I installed AcroPro 7, it had a phone activation option--there should be a radio button for phone activation on one of those activation screens, but you will have to unstall and reinstall to get the option back. Whether or not this would solve the problem is not at all certain, but since it's not a huge program it wouldn't take much time to try.

Nak · #13 Post by **Nak** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 2:59 pm

Hi!

I was having the exact same problem with AcroPro, and several other programs. I disabled Zone Alarm and Norton AV, uninstalled the affected programs, reinstalled the affected programs, activated the affected programs via phone activation and then re-enabled Norton and Zone Alarm. This fixed the problem on all affected programs, including Acrobat Pro... Good luck, I hope this helps!

Nak

Nak · #14 Post by **Nak** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:01 pm

Sorry, my system is an X60s with all of the Thinkpad software...

Nak

stephenaron · #15 Post by **stephenaron** » Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:28 am

I called Adobe for the same problem and they had me download a special patch that fixed the problem. If you want more info, email or PM me. Here is the TEXT from the update....

Adobe License Manager 2.70 Patch for Adobe Acrobat 7.0

Installation Instructions

Use the instructions that best describe your hardware configuration.

If the problem occurs on a RAID configuration, do the following:
1) Extract the 2.70 patch zip file.
2) Run almupd.exe, included in the zip file.
3) Restart the computer.
4) Start Acrobat 7.0 and activate if prompted.
5) Restart the computer and Acrobat 7.0 again to make sure you are not prompted to reactivate.

If the problem occurs when you dock or undock a laptop computer, do the following:
1) Extract the 2.70 patch zip file.
2) Run almupd.exe, included in the zip file.
3) Start Acrobat 7.0 and activate if prompted. If you have Adobe Creative Suite 2.0, start a second CS2 application and activate if prompted.
4) Turn the computer off. Then either move the computer from dock to undock, or undock to dock.
5) Turn the computer on.
6) Start Acrobat and activate if prompted.
6) Turn the computer off and move it from dock to undock, or undock to dock.
7) Turn the computer on.

Start Acrobat again to make sure you are not prompted to reactivate

THIS WILL WORK.

ssimon · #16 Post by **ssimon** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 4:18 pm

OK, here goes:

1. It would be nice if you could edit your post and add a link to the patch for people to use it as I cannot believe it is copyrighted or illegal to do so since it does not bypass activation.

2. The REAL reason YOU are having that problem is not related to the registry or anything on your hard Drive, but to the Hard Drive itself.

I'll elaborate: Each HD has a UNIQUE serial # that identifies it so that the OS knows if 2 identical HD's are in one system (or more) which is which. This serial number cannot be changed by a format or normal means, you need a special tool for it.

Adobe chose to implement a security system tied to the boot record and the unique serial # of the HD you install it on. If you change your HD due to a crash or need larger capacity (something I suspect you did) and restore an image from the previous drive you will see several things happening:

A. XP will say that you need to reboot to finish installing new
HardWare (basically updates itself with the new OS HD Serial #).

B. Adobe products like Photoshop, their new suite and PDF Pro will cease to work because they "believe" that they have been transplanted to another computer.

C. In their infinite stupidity Adobe has a major bug in their re-activation of their own protection, and it fails, hence you need to use their cheezy afterthought utility.

Honestly I am so not happy with Adobe and now that they bought Macromedia (should have been the other way around) the cool Macromedia suite & apps will end up being crap and plagued with garbage "protection" schemes like this.

Uh... that feels better

Had to vent for a bit as this BS gave me a real run for my money when I dealt with it. I got around it by changing the serial # of the new HD to the old one that had crashed. Easy thing to do if you understand the problem, but not obvious at all.

Well, hope this helps...

stephenaron · #17 Post by **stephenaron** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:58 pm

I just read your reply. I already emailed the patch to someone who asked for it, as i dont know where to post it, and adobe had me do a whole process to get it from some protected ftp site of theirs. You are wrong about it being a HD issue. I havent replaced my hard drive, nor did the other person i helped by emailing them the patch. Happy tp help anyone else who wants it from me, or they can contact Adobe (very easy to do) and they can walk them thru getting the patch.

Devinator · #18 Post by **Devinator** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 7:29 pm

Hi stephenaron,

I would like to take you up on your gracious offer here in this forum. I could really use the patch. If you would be so kind, please email it to ccie {at} bellsouth.net

I can't thank you enough!

zself · #19 Post by **zself** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:21 pm

I noticed that I had the problem after doing a disk cleanup and defrag. So perhaps that's significant. ? This problem has happened a number of times, but the last time Acrobat says I've exceeded my activations...

Adobe has told me they'd send the patch, but so far no patch.

very frustrating.

#20 Post by **BillMorrow** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:32 pm

drblue wrote:I am experiencing a weird problem with Adobe Acrobat 7 Professional (AA7P). As you know, AA7P requires online activation. I am supposed to register only once, and shouldn't do it again. The problem is that AA7P constantly asks me to re-activate the software. ......

i have EXACTLY the same problem on this desktop, an X60s and a T60p..

so it seems that this might be something more than thinkpad related..

if stephenaron will email me this patch i will post it on thinkpads.com FTP site..

#21 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:58 pm

http://www.gripe2ed.com/scoop/story/200 ... 01627/6990

James

christopher_wolf · #22 Post by **christopher_wolf** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 2:02 pm

I came across this when I installed AA7P, but instead of activation, it wanted to install itself over and over. I basically managed to get it to stop doing that by canceling the install for a few boots and it went away. Not the proto-ALM registration, but it had some beef with an un-related registry setting in the SOFTWARE hive that it eventually left alone.

BTW, Comparing OO2 with AA7 is kinda laughable, not to mention that the packages you get with LaTeX are capable of doing a far better job than OO2 most of the time on a PC and Mac.

stephenaron · #23 Post by **stephenaron** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:22 pm

Happy to email it you, just need the email address.

davidspalding · #24 Post by **davidspalding** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:07 am

... boy am I glad I bought Standard instead of Professional....

stephenaron · #25 Post by **stephenaron** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 7:20 am

The Version has nothing to do with it. It has to do with the config. of some thinkpads.

cgcdistrib · #26 Post by **cgcdistrib** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 1:26 pm

stephenaron wrote:Happy to email it you, just need the email address.

- Stephen, Id be so grateful if you would kindly email me the Adobe License Manager Patch 2.7 - my email address is cgc@cgcdistribution.co.uk - have been struggling with this issue for days!

Deckard · #27 Post by **Deckard** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 6:29 pm

Hmm, I've just noticed this thread.

Same thing happened to me after I've decided to 'clean' the harddrive. After running a search on the temp files on my harddrive, I've located quite a number of temp files outside of the temporary internet files folder and I deleted them.

Following this self-made clean-up action, my Acrobat Pro and Photoshop greeted me with a message screen saying that the configuration of my computer have been changed, so I needed to re-activate it.

A quick search on Google revealed that deleting a tmp file called e5d141.tmp would lead to a reactivation of the software. Don't get confused with the results on Google that says this file is a spyware. No, it's not. This file would also appear on the task list (in Task Manager), if any Adobe software is running on your computer. (Hence the spyware suspicion).

Refer to this page for activation errors. Although the title says it's for Photoshop, it worked for Acrobat Pro as well.

http://www.adobe.com/support/techdocs/330089.html

So, I've uninstalled all Adobe software on my laptop and re-installed them. Now, everything is working fine.

Cheers

CHoPSTICK89 · #28 Post by **CHoPSTICK89** » Mon Oct 16, 2006 9:45 pm

[deleted]

cgcdistrib · #29 Post by **cgcdistrib** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:19 am

still not received this Patch 2.7 from anyone, please please pleaseeeeeeeee (I know, I know, Im BEGGING!) can *anyone* assist with this? email cgc@cgcdistribution.co.uk

Promise I will assist others in the same way!

cgcdistrib · #30 Post by **cgcdistrib** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:24 am

i have EXACTLY the same problem on this desktop, an X60s and a T60p..

so it seems that this might be something more than thinkpad related..

if stephenaron will email me this patch i will post it on thinkpads.com FTP site..[/quote]

Did this patch ever get posted on the Thinkpads ftp site?