Trial software has expired

[bobbibee]

I downloaded some software as a trial and it expired after 31 days.
Then I wanted to try it again so I downloaded it again, but it always tells me the version has expired. How does it know I've already tried it before?!? Is there some way around this? I did uninstall before downloading again. Thanks for any ideas.

[jabarnutcase]

Hibobbibee

If you like it that much you might consider buying it. :)
Possibly though, to try it again, you might try clearing out your cache and cookies in your browser before downloading....

Unless of course there's a sneaky little spy somewhere else! :eek:

[sleddog]

The software will have made an entry in the system registry, probably noting the date/time it was first run. To prevent you from extending the trial period by un-installing and re-installing, the un-install program doesn't remove this registry entry. You can attempt to find this entry and manually remove it. Good luck :)

[bobbibee]

Thank you Jabar and Sled. Perhaps I should buy it but that would involve spending money (shock, horror) hehe . I did remove some cookies and cache, but no good.
Think u r right about the registry (little spy there then) Do you know how I can find it in the registry and manually remove it?

[jabarnutcase]

bobbibee
Messing with your Registry is very risky stuff if you are not familiar with it.
The very least you need to do is have a good backup before you changed or removed anything.
If you mess up your registry, there is a good chance that your computer will not even boot up.

That being said, going to start/run/ and typing regedit (enter) will get you there. (If you have never seen it before, you may want to stay out of it)
You can also download programs like regclean which will rid your registry of invalid keys etc. and aren't as risky....

Then again, you could buy the program and enjoy updates and tech support....And as an added plus, not have to worry about messing up your computer! ;)

[Budfred]

If you REALLY want another month of using this program and you don't mind going to a lot of trouble, you could reformat/reinstall and that would clean it out good!:D

But seriously, if you have a version of Windows that supports it, you could use System Restore and that might allow you another month. On the other hand, you would lose any new programs you install since before the Restore. Best bet is probably to buy it if you like it. The question to ask yourself is which is worth more, your time or the money to pay for the program?;)

Budfred

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Also what other info will you give them for the second trial version? Name, address, e-mail addy? Shoesize? :D

[mjc]

Ok....enough of this, trying to get around the trial period is not one of the things condoned/discussed here.

Generally, the trial period is long enough to decide whether or not you actually want the software. If you truly like it then you really should consider buying it, as most shareware is not from major producers, but individuals or small companies...often, they are doing the as a source of income, most attempting to make enough at it to quit a job they don't really like, but not quite doing that...I know I would like an extra $20 in my pocket every now and then. (the small companies are hoping to make enough before one of the big boys decides the product is great and gives it the kiss of death....seen that happen quite often with a great piece of freeware/shareware when it was purchased by one of the major software vendors....)

[Budfred]

mjc,

Or simply co-opted like MS did to Netscape and any number of other programs. Make something modeled on it and drive the small programmer out of that business. (Not that Netscape was small at the time).

Budfred

[bobbibee]

Ouch MJC, slap on the wrist accepted. I understand what u r saying. Maybe nuff said then and one day I'll go mad and dig deeper in the pockets. Thanks for additional info Bud and Jabar.

[bobbibee]

Frustrayted - I forgot to say that, surprisingly they wanted no info, email addy etc from me - not even my shoe size!

[mawutor]

Hi Bobbi..,

I will appreciate we give the highest respect to whatever the moderator will pass as final. This is a respected forum and it behoves us as members to hold it in high esteem. Discussing such a thing in this forum is against the ethics of this site.

I sure think 30 days is good enough time for you to make informed decision to acquire a legal copy if you want/like it than seeking ways around it herein. We are here to learn from members and not to do things that are against the rules/policies of this site.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.


Mao

[jabarnutcase]

Hi mawutor-

Hehe...The fact that this thread was started a year and a half ago, I suspect that bobbibee either want ahead and bought the Program, or the Company went out of business....Which ever came first.
:D

You may want to keep an eye on the thread dates, sometimes it has us wondering "what the heck is this all about?" ;)

[pentachris]

mawutor -

You are aware that this thread is almost a year and a half old, right?

you beat me in, jabar :)

[jeeza]

Originally posted by mjc
(the small companies are hoping to make enough before one of the big boys decides the product is great and gives it the kiss of death....seen that happen quite often with a great piece of freeware/shareware when it was purchased by one of the major software vendors....)
I seem to remember that this is what happened to an operating system which is said to have been far, far better dan MS-DOS (or DOS), used on the legendary Amiga computer, and which apparently was manoeuvered out of existence by Microsoft.