Windows 7 Compatibility and activation code

plowman · November 2nd, 2009, 03:54 PM

Hey

Recently upgraded to Windows 7 Pro from XP, meaning I had to reinstall all of my software, part of which is a ridiculously expensive suite called AMTECH ProDesign200. The installation went fine, and when I executed the program, I recieved a message asking me to e-mail them for an activation code. I promptly recieved a reply saying that I have surpassed the number of activations (1).

On the phone to a clearly clueless employee, i was eventually informed that amtech does not support Windows 7, and because of this they will not send me an activation code. Now, I obviously checked out their OS support before upgrading and on their website, they state support for Windows Vista SP1 (32bit): Amtech Power Software - Products - ProDesign200

Of course, their latest version, costing nearly £5000, apparently supports Windows 7, which was immediately pointed out to me, even though their website doesn't mention this.

My experience has been that everything that works on Vista will work on 7. Perhaps this was naive, but surely the fact that the program runs absolutely fine apart from requesting activation suggests that I should be sent the code. After all, I did pay nearly £5000 for it...

I'm writing an e-mail now to them. Do you think I am being unreasonable here and that they are rightly denying me an activation code, or do you think this is just Amtech wanting to make some more money by selling me the new version?

Sorry for the rant

Any thoughts?

Steve R Jones · November 2nd, 2009, 04:06 PM

I support a ridiculously expensive accounting software that runs off of SQL..

Short version is that one client upgraded to SQL Server 2008 and did so without calling us first...Had they called, I was have told them that I would guess that it would work...But it didn't and they had a lot of downtime going back to SQL2005...

Quote:

My experience has been that everything that works on Vista will work on 7.

That is a pleasant thought and I've heard the same thing many many times...But apparently it isn't always the case.

You in theory could go back to XP couldn't you?

plowman · November 2nd, 2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve R Jones

You in theory could go back to XP couldn't you?

I was thinking I could use the Windows XP Virtual PC included in 7 Pro, if that was the only way they were gonna give me a code! But yeah, I could go back to XP, though it would be, at best, an inconvinience as I upgraded two other networked computers to 7.

I'm annoyed because it works fine, but they won't send me a code because they don't officially support 7! Seems to me they're just after more money!

Steve R Jones · November 2nd, 2009, 04:17 PM

If you're certain it works fine in Win7...call em back up and raise a stink. Use the ol.."let me see what you're competitors can do for me" type attitude..

plowman · November 2nd, 2009, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve R Jones

If you're certain it works fine in Win7...call em back up and raise a stink. Use the ol.."let me see what you're competitors can do for me" type attitude..

Haha yeah that's pretty much the tone of my e-mail! cheers

**GroundZero3** · November 2nd, 2009, 06:41 PM

Sadly this is how some software companies operate, to be able to use it on a newer requires a different key which you normally purchase. You can try to "let me see what others are offering" but your results will vary.

However as you stated, the software you have is supported on Vista it didnt say windows 7 so technically you knew this. Dont assume just because windows 7 is pretty much Vista Service Pack 80000 that it will work in windows 7

Cajunheat · November 3rd, 2009, 05:20 AM

Sorry, did I miss something here? The guy is trying to use a legitimately bought software only to be refused activation, what right does the software company have for taking this stand? I can see refusing tech support due to the OS but, not letting a paying customer activate their software because of this, doesn't seem very wise.

Steve R Jones · November 3rd, 2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajunheat

Sorry, did i miss something here?

Yep...Odds are the software company has not fully tested it on Win 7 and therefore can not/will not give their customers the green light/thumbs up.

There is a real live potential that their software could glitch out somewhere in Win 7..If theyt had said SURE - Go A Head and Use Win 7....and then the glitches come rolling it-> It would be ugly for everyone.

Cajunheat · November 3rd, 2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve R Jones

Yep...Odds are the software company has not fully tested it on Win 7 and therefore can not/will not give their customers the green light/thumbs up.

I'm not that knowledgeable about business law but, it seems to me if the company explicitly states their program does not support Win 7 at this time, that they could not be held accountable for what happens if you choose to do it anyway. So it is my belief that they are just covering their butts to the point of being anal about it (of course in this sue happy country of ours maybe they are not). Should someone trust an untested program in a business environment? It would not be prudent to do so but, if the choice is made how would the software company be held responsible? With that in mind I still feel the OP has the right to be activated but, needs to realize there will be no further support from the software company. I do realize this is mostly opinion because I don't know the legalities of it.

Steve R Jones · November 3rd, 2009, 12:31 PM

As soon as Win 7 went Beta - my company updated our web site/system requirements to specifically state we did not support Win 7 OS's..(that has since changed after we tested it and gave it a thumbs up)

Same thing for Vista only worse since it was an even newer/bigger changes...We stated we wouldn't support it till after the first SP came out.