Cannot register WINDVD Creator?

[ark]

Along with my T60, I bought an UltraBay DVD burner.

The software that came with that DVD burner included something called WINDVD Creator, which got installed by default.

When I tried running WINDVD Creator, it asked me to register. I said yes, and then it failed, complaining that it could not find Internet Explorer.

That's nonsense, of course, Should I take this behavior as an indication that WINDVD Creator is a useless piece of junk that I should remove? Or is this a known problem that is worth solving because WINDVD Creator is such a cool piece of software that I just won't be able to live without?

[arni]

WinDVDCreator is used to record, edit and burn selfmade DVDs from your Camcorder. There are also some alternatives for hobyists like Nero or for professionals like Adobe Premiere. For burning DVDs and CDs you won't need it.

The problem with registering is due to IE7. You can get an update for WinDVDCreator on Lenovos site. http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-63764

[ark]

Interestingly, it turns out that the registration problem is from WinDVD Player, not Creator. And when I install the latest version, the problem persists.

[ark]

OK, here is what is going on.

There are two separate programs: WinDVD Player and WinDVD Creator. Each of them, when launched, asks me to register. Each of them, when I register, tells me that it cannot find Internet Explorer.

For WinDVD Player, there is an updated version on the IBM file matrix site. When I install that, exactly the same thing happens: It asks me to register and complains that it cannot find Internet Explorer.

For WinDVD Creator, when I install the new versions, the "Add/Remove Programs" facility in the system control panel now tells me that two versions are installed. When I uninstall one of them, it makes the whole thing unusuable. If I try to reinstall the new version from the web, it refuses because I do not already have a working installation.

So I reinstalled it from the distribution CD, installed the new version (with "Add/Remove Programs" showiing two versions again) and launched it. Again, it asked me to register, and then complained that it could not find Internet Explorer.

So I've gotten exactly nowhere for all my trouble

[andyP]

I would ignore it, don't let it bug you.
I just click on "don't show this again" and use the software, registration is not compulsory, and you get the updates.

[arni]

That's sad. Maybe someone has another solution to this problem if not you should contact Lenovo customer support.

I only ran into this issue after a factory restore and applying all ms updates (including IE7). This broke the registration process. But after removing IE7 from "Add/Remove Software" it let me register.

[ark]

For now, I've just told it to stop reminding me to register Fortunately, it does not appear that I have to register in order to be able to use the software.

[andyP]

That's sad. {snip}.

But true.

Registration is not compulsory. I believe trying to force someone to register a product is, (in the EU at least), illegal or breaks some sort of trade descriptions / practices act ....