Activation nightmare!

[megahertz456]

Hi guys,

I'm new to Pro-Tools, although not new to music tech - been making music since C-lab creator on the Atari ST!

I bought PT9 earlier in the week as part of a bundle from DV247 - in case it's relevant I should say that I got the Mbox2 mini with LE and PT9 crossgrade.

I got a brand new iLok, and registered an account on the iLok site. I downloaded the software from the iLok site, installed it, and then headed over to Avid to register the software. All went well, and I went back to iLok and there was a licence waiting for me. I downloaded the licence onto the iLok - all fine.

I couldn't however, get PT9 to start - I kept getting a message saying 'please insert the iLok with the licence' but everytime I did so, nothing happened. I did everything again, read every page I could find about it, but still nothing. Then, for no reason I could find, the programme launched.

Next morning, nothing at all - just wouldn't start. As things stand now, if I take out the iLok and start up the computer from cold, start pro-tools with the iLok out, wait for the message, then insert the iLok, it (sometimes) launches. But if I start up the computer with the iLok inplace it won't go at all, until I shut down and restart. I suppose I could live with this, if my computer wasn't in a rackmount case with all the USB ports at the back.

It seems frustrating that this is designed to stop people pirating the software - but I've paid £700 on software this week (I bought NI Komplete as part of the bundle) and I can't use it!

I should say that NI authorises online, as does Ableton Live, and all of that works incredibly smoothly.

Any suggestions?

[promixr]

Make sure you have the latest iLok software for your OS. Also make sure you have downloaded the latest version of Pro Tools.

Other than that we may need more details about your system...

[robo6675]

There's 2 installers from ilok that you need. Did you install both? Perhaps your issue is there...

[Park Seward]

You should be able to leave the iLok in the computer. Are you removing it with the computer powered on?

[bradch00]

Is it an iLok2 or an original iLok, are you plugging straight in to the host or through a hub, have you tried other ports on the host?

[lanstrad]

Originally Posted by promixr

Other than that we may need more details about your system...

That is why, even though I purchased PT9 (high priced) about 6 months ago, I keep going back to Sonar X1 when I need to be productive and avoid wasting hours back and forth between PT and ilok updates, then run 65 pages of tests in case *my system* would be at fault.

I am totally in agreement to protect programmers (and their stakeholders), as long as they *help me simplify my life*...