My Nero SN has been Blacklisted

[dun4cheap]

Recently I found out that my Serial number was blacklisted by nero when I tried to run a recent update. I have no idea as to why so I started by emailing tech support.

They informed me that my serial number had been registered multiple times. I have asked them how this is possible since I am the only one that knows it and it has not left the comfort of my computer drawer since I purchased it.

Well it has now been 5 days it still does not work. I have sent them my receipt, UPC from the box, scans of my CD and cover and I get the response that my emails have been forwarded to their legal department.

I tell you this is just crazy. I imagine that someone has a random key generator and happended to generate my SN but I am caught in the middle of this.

Has anyone run into something like this?

[richdvd]

Was the box open when you bought it?
It seems unlikely that a key gen would generate your serial number....but I guess it's possible.

[Roundabout]

Has anyone run into something like this?

No, but that's bogus. You bought the software and have proof, they shouldn't be able to just shut you off like that. I would have told them to reinstate me immediately or I'd sue them.

No way they should be able to get away with something like that. Esp. since you offered to prove it to them. Even better if you have the receipt for the purchase, for absolute proof.

I would not give them more than a couple of days to sort it out, and issue you a new s/n, since the old one has been shut off. Get ahold of someone higher up and give 'em hell till they take care of it.

[jackal70058]

Was the box open when you bought it?
It seems unlikely that a key gen would generate your serial number....but I guess it's possible.

It is possible. Though it is a long shot, it's always possible that someone out there has generated the same key as the one on the box. After all, the key generator has to make valid keys out of a set formula for keys.

[AlecWest]

Hmm ... this must really be a pain. Did you buy Nero via a credit card? If so, file an affidavit of fraud with your card issuer. It will put a stop to all interest accumulation on your card until the matter is addressed. It's quite likely that the store you bought it from, to avoid the chargeback (and implications of selling hacked software), will give you another copy ... which will solve your problem (maybe).

Of course, you'd want to go to the store where you bought it first, explain the problem to them, and see if they're willing to do an exchange. That, or an affidavit of fraud, would seem like the quickest way to solve your problem ... namely, getting a working copy of the program you paid for.

P.S. I guess I'm lucky. I've never paid for Nero. It's always come free with the burners I've bought ... and without a niggly serial number to enter, too.

[Noahtuck]

Was the box open when you bought it?
It seems unlikely that a key gen would generate your serial number....but I guess it's possible.

It is possible. Though it is a long shot, it's always possible that someone out there has generated the same key as the one on the box. After all, the key generator has to make valid keys out of a set formula for keys.

Yep, my exact thought the second i read his post was someone somewhere generated the same key and it was sent over the net and they blacklisted that number But if youhave the upc symbol from the box and proof, i don't see why they would not take that as proof you bought it and at least give you a new valid key or replace it.

[lumis]

if ahead was being this unreasonable with me, i would use a key generator.

nero is probably one of the most pirated programs on the internet (probably in good company with windows & winzip).. i find it surprising that they would act this way towards someone providing them with that much much evidence.

[dun4cheap]

Well needless to say this is the sixth day now. I resent my proof again and I still have not heard from them. I know that someone probably generated it from a key generator. I am about ready to take it back to Frys, it has just been crazy.

I also have like 4 oem versions of nero 6 as well I could just use them but its principal, I paid good money for the Retail Version and I want to use it.

[Kunta Kinte]

if ahead was being this unreasonable with me, i would use a key generator.

nero is probably one of the most pirated programs on the internet (probably in good company with windows & winzip).. i find it surprising that they would act this way towards someone providing them with that much much evidence.

If this is true what happened to Dun4Cheap, you still cannot advocate such an illegal activity. Just letting you kno before the mods find out.

On the other hand, this looks like the perfect lasuit, and I ould also sue for any money I had to spend trying to fix their mess, along ith any anguish.

[lordsmurf]

Please do not advise using a keygen. If for no other reason that those sites are often full of virii and spyware and browser hijackers. You'll end up even worse than you already are.

Call Ahead, get somebody with responsibility to help you, not the phone jockey.

Better yet, go back to Fry's and return it. Thats likely easier. Maybe.

[zzyzzx]

I would also use a keygen.

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. DO NOT ADVOCATE WAREZ. FOR ANY REASON!
/ Moderator lordsmurf

[northcat_8]

I have ran into it.
Not with Nero but with Microsoft Office XP and HollywoodFX.

I doubt you get anywhere with Ahead, I didn't get anywhere with Microsoft or Hollywood. Oddly enough I just uninstalled OfficeXP, cleaned my registry manually and reinstalled and everything has been good for a few years now.

I had the problem after making a major system change.

As zzyzzx said, I'd just use a keygen. I personally do not consider it piracy if you bought the software and your key won't work.

I've also had this problem with Adobe Photoshop and Premiere if I have to restore my system or make system changes.

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. DO NOT ADVOCATE WAREZ. FOR ANY REASON!
/ Moderator lordsmurf

[lumis]

i'm not advocating piracy here.. if the guy did in fact pay for nero & ahead is treating him like this, then he's not really committing software piracy. he's just getting what really belongs to him..

also, i didnt tell him where to get a keygen, or to actually do it.. i just told him what i would do.

[AlecWest]

Please do not advise using a keygen. If for no other reason that those sites are often full of virii and spyware and browser hijackers. You'll end up even worse than you already are.

Call Ahead, get somebody with responsibility to help you, not the phone jockey.

Better yet, go back to Fry's and return it. Thats likely easier. Maybe.

Good advice. And, if Fry's won't accept it back, you at least tried to be reasonable ... and should feel no shame in reporting them to the Better Business Bureau for selling "hacked" software ... and your credit-card issuer for the same reason (if you charged the purchase).

[waheed]

I agree with Alecwest. You should report Ahead to a Trading Standards Governing body. They will look into the matter for you.

[jackal70058]

Please do not advise using a keygen. If for no other reason that those sites are often full of virii and spyware and browser hijackers. You'll end up even worse than you already are.

If you have good antivirus and spyware scanning programs, they can usually prevent this for you. Turning off Macromedia Flash and Java Script disables many of the annoying features of the website, and I've also found using Mozilla's Firefox web browser also makes it a lot easier.

But for the record! I am no saying you should do this or I should do this! It is for the "educational purpose only!"

You are in breach of the forum rules and are being issued with a formal warning. DO NOT ADVOCATE WAREZ. FOR ANY REASON! There is no such thing as "educational purposes only" for the general public.
/ Moderator lordsmurf

[aanaravs]

dun4cheap:
I would definitely report Ahead to a legal authority or to your credit card company atleast. I am surprised that they are treating you like this.

I faced a similar issue, but only with Adobe and it took them less than 2 minutes to verify who I was.

Good luck!

[northcat_8]

I faced a similar issue, but only with Adobe and it took them less than 2 minutes to verify who I was.

How the hell did you accomplish that???
I had to physically go to adobe with my birth certificate, my mother, and the doctor who delivered me, had to let them run my finger prints (on file, job requirement) and had to let them draw 2 pints of blood for a DNA match.

Microsoft requires all of that plus your first born child and 3 IRS agents to verify your identity.

[jimmalenko]

Warez rules
What is warez? Obtained IP (intellectual property: software/music/movies) either through download, serial, or crack in a manner that either explicitly or implied breaks the copyright or license for that IP.

Do NOT give warez / Do NOT link to warez
Distributing warez. This includes linking to warez either directly or to crack or serial sites. Offering warez in any fashion including PM or e-mail is against forum policy.

Do NOT ask for warez
Asking for warez. In any fashion this is unacceptable including but not limited to PM or e-mail requests or information on what p-2-p network has copies.

Do NOT provide information on how to obtain warez
Providing information on how to obtain warez.

Do NOT advocate warez
Advocate warez. Recommending the use of warez.

I've bolded the important bits. AFAIK it's more to protect Baldrick from any action Ahead may/could/would bring upon him, as he is ultimately responsible for the content of this site. The conundrum IMO comes when it says "...that either explicitly or implied breaks the copyright or license for that IP". Due to you owning a legit serial number, you could probably argue that you're not breaking the licensing agreement.

[aanaravs]

I faced a similar issue, but only with Adobe and it took them less than 2 minutes to verify who I was.

How the hell did you accomplish that???
I had to physically go to adobe with my birth certificate, my mother, and the doctor who delivered me, had to let them run my finger prints (on file, job requirement) and had to let them draw 2 pints of blood for a DNA match.

Microsoft requires all of that plus your first born child and 3 IRS agents to verify your identity.

Would it not have been better just to purchase new software (unless you live close to Adobe's office)

[jackal70058]

I know what I would do. That's all I'm going to say.

[lordsmurf]

Not only is the keygen illegal, you do a great disservice to anybody else with such problems, ESPECIALLY the layman that is getting screwed and doesn't even know what a "keygen" is.

Take this up with the companies involved.
It is their responsibility to fix the problems.