Topic "Bad Serial Number" when installing on Windows 2000

 Applies_To askSam, RTS

    Version 4.x

Last_Update 05/02/2002

Question Why do I get the error "Bad Serial Number" when ever I try to register askSam as a "Guest"? It worked fine as "Administrator".

OR

I can't enter my serial number when I install askSam on Windows 2000. It's stuck in the trial version.

Answer The reason for this is because the "Guest" user does not have read permission to the User Registration key in your system registry.

Resolution You can manually give the different users permissions by following the steps below:

1. Log in to Windows 2000 as the Administrator.

2. Click on START > RUN

3. Type "regedt32" to open the Registry Editor.

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WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. askSam cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

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4. Collapse any directories that might be open.

5. The directory we're looking for is located:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > asksam > windows > 4.0 > User Registration

6. Click in the User Registration directory to select it, then click SECURITY > PERMISSIONS

7. Allow "Read" permissions for each user that will be using askSam. If you can't find the user(s) in the list, you might have to add them by clicking the "ADD" button.

8. Click OK. Then close the Registry Editor.

9. Now log off as the Administrator and log back in as a Guest user.

You should be able to run askSam now.