Published on January 18, 2008 By Halluci In Object Desktop
Every time I try to download an Object Desktop program off of SDC, download and install works fine, but when SDC tries to activate the program, I get an error about not being able to activate it. When I right click on the program that I just installed and click activate it, it gives me the same error window about not being able to activate it, and then SDC simply locks up and crashes. I CAN however activate my programs manually when I run each of them the first time and enter in my info into the activation screen I see there. Some programs however, like (the latest beta of) deskscapes, don't pop up that activation window when I run it after installing; I don't know if this is the source of the problem, but while I can run standard video dreams that I download, when I click on the bouncing box sample, nothing happens at all. Also, with the desktop earth, water dream, and watercolor dreams that come with the deskscapes dream pack, whenever I click on any of them, it pops up an activation screen to activate it; when I enter my information, it says registration not found. This is the only instance where activation seems to fail with the activation window. I have the latest SDC available, and all the programs that I've downloaded are the latest betas.
Comments
on Jan 18, 2008

Halluci: Which specific version of SDC are you running? (Help->About SDC)

Does the activation have any effect if you close out of Stardock Central, then right click on the Stardock Central shortcut and choose "Run as administrator"?

-Mike
[Stardock Support]

on Jan 18, 2008
I am having the exact same problem with SDC version 1.51.512 build: 164 ( 
on Jan 18, 2008
I'm using 2.51.512 build 164 of SDC. Same thing happens when running as administrator; I get a window saying error activating such and such program, error 0, with my email and my password. Activate.log displays the following:

Using silent activation with null serial mode.



Application start: 2008-1-18 23.27.44

Silent mode

Mode 2

Submitting activation request...

Download: success

Result parsing error (2)

Error activating the product

Please check the serial number that you have entered and ensure that it is associated with the email you used. Try to activate the product again. If you are using Stardock Central you can right-click on the product and attempt to activate without reinstalling. Please include this log file when contacting support@stardock.com.

I am using the correct email address
on Jan 18, 2008
OK. I figured out what the problem is. For some reason, the content activation through SDC doesn't take special characters in the password field (to access your stardock account); on a whim, I changed my password to my stardock account and removed the non-alphanumeric characters, and everything works fine as far as activation goes now. It's funny though, because before, I was still able to log on and retrieve updates and everything, and I was also logged on successfully to the discussion boards. Maybe it's just a problem with the activation component specifically.

on Jan 18, 2008
Hmm, I still have the problem with the dreams in the dream pack for deskscapes. Every time I click on desktop earth, water dream, or watercolor dream, it says content activation unsuccessful, and it prompts me to enter my email address and my serial number. My Object Desktop serial doesn't work, and it says that it cannot retrieve the information. I was under the impression that these dreams came free with the object desktop subscription; am I mistaken? In any case, I can't even find the water or the watercolor dreams for purchase anywhere.
on Jan 19, 2008
Well it still doesnt work for me.... I keep getting this error



---------------------------
Stardock Central
---------------------------
There was an error activating the selected product. Error: 5

Stardock Central has detected that you have products registered under a different email address than the email associated with your Stardock.net account. Please contact support@stardock.com and ask them to merge your account records.

Stardock Central will let you download and install applications normally at the moment. In early 2006, you will need to have your records merged under the same email address, so please send an email to support@stardock.com.

You can press Ctrl-C to Copy the contents of this window and paste it into an email message.

Stardock.net: ageorge527@yahoo.com
Application: ageorge527@yahoo.com
---------------------------
OK
---------------------------
on Jan 19, 2008
Looks liek you need to contact Stardock support. 
on Jan 19, 2008
Agree with Zubaz.

I had the same error two days ago. The problem was solved in one day after I sent an e-mail to the Stardock Support!    Now each of downloaded applications are activated Instantly.
on Jan 19, 2008
Hmm alright