Ableton Forum

Hi there-

I have a question regarding the Live activation procedure. I often am rebuilding my PC: reformatting the harddrive, reinstalling the OS, and my applications. I do this keep the system running smoothly (usally every 1-2 months). I want to ensure I am obeying the Live license as well able to install the software easily.

Is there a procedure a method for doing this? Do I have to "relock" or deauthorize my copy of Live before refromatting my computer?

What I'm trying to avoid is reinstalling my OS and not be able to unlock Live because the system has told me I've done it too many times.

Just so everyone knows, I only intend to run Live on my one computer so I'm not asking as means to get around their copy protection.

Thanks in advance!

js

I responded to a post like this just a few days ago...basically you will want to keep your unlock.cfg file found in C:\Documents and Settings\[USERNAME]\Application Data\Ableton\Live 5.0.1\Unlock folder.

This file is generated with a challenge/response with Ableton servers based on components of your system (I believe). Therefore, you won't be able to use this file to unlock Live with with other computers or pirate. However, so long as you don't change bit items like CPU or motherboard or hard drives, you will be able to use this Unlock.cfg file without having to unlock with Ableton online every time you reinstall your system. Just replace the unlock file after reinstalling Live 5 and you're good to go.

Another option to make it easier is to use Norton Ghost. I bascially set up a very minimal install of XP SP2 before installing a lot of apps. Then I ghost it to get an image which is my starting point every few months. I restore the image, and then install and update applications. You could build a simple XP install with Live 5 and then store your image, thereby negating a need to both store the Unlock file or unlock online with Ableton.

Hope this helps.

nebulae, Thanks for the help!