Ben Low

Q: Serial number not working?

My laptop died.  I bought a new one, second hand but fairly recent.  I bought a new drive for the newer computer, and cloned over everything from the original drive - which is fine.  Everything works fine in the newer computer (MacBook Pro 2010) now.  But of course, when I open some of the apps they want me to insert the original serial number.  This has worked fine with my Final Cut Pro Studio and my Logic Audio.  But when I try to open Aperture it asks for the serial number, which I'm taking from the Aperture app on the original drive, from the 'Licensed To window': and there it is, I can see my name, my company name, and the serial number.  But when I insert it in the pop-window on the new computer it says the serial number is invalid.

 

I can't remember if I got Aperture as a hard copy, or downloaded from the Apple store.  I'm 3,000 miles from my office where the box might be.  The app was (and still is) working just fine on the original drive.

 

What might be happening here?  And is there a way to check with Apple on that serial number?  To confirm it perhaps.  I'm sure if I look I can find the original sales receipt somewhere stored on this computer.

 

I think I purchased the first version as a hard copy, then upgraded it several times using the Apple Store downloads.

 

 

All ears,

 

 

Ben

Posted on Sep 1, 2012 11:21 AM

Close

Q: Serial number not working?

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by Frank Caggiano,Helpful

    Frank Caggiano Frank Caggiano Sep 1, 2012 12:05 PM in response to Ben Low
    Level 7 (25,796 points)
    Sep 1, 2012 12:05 PM in response to Ben Low

    If you upgraded you will need the serial numbers for those versions also (ie:: if you started from Aperture 1 and upgraded to 2 then 3 you will need the serial numbers for 1 and 2 in addition to the serial number for 3).

     

    You can try looking here Pro Application Replacement Serial Numbers  Apple might be able to help.

     

    good luck

  • by Ben Low,

    Ben Low Ben Low Sep 1, 2012 10:12 PM in response to Frank Caggiano
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 1, 2012 10:12 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

    So when it asks for my serial number I have to put in the number for version 1 first?

     

    I have the serial numbers for versions 2 & 3, but not 1.  But I bought version 2.1 'retail' from the Apple store, and I have THAT serial number, AND the serial number for version 3 ... which was running on my now defunct computer.

     

    I will try the link you suggest,

     

    Thank you for you help Frank...

     

     

    B

  • by Frank Caggiano,Helpful

    Frank Caggiano Frank Caggiano Sep 2, 2012 10:31 AM in response to Ben Low
    Level 7 (25,796 points)
    Sep 2, 2012 10:31 AM in response to Ben Low
    So when it asks for my serial number I have to put in the number for version 1 first?

     

    You need the serial numbers for all the versions you have upgraded from. So if you started with version 1 and upgraded to version 2 then 3 you need all three serial numbers.

     

    If the first version you bought was version 2 then you would only need the serial numbers for 2 & 3. You would not need a serial number for version 1.

     

    Hope this is clear.

     

    regards

  • by Ben Low,

    Ben Low Ben Low Sep 2, 2012 9:38 PM in response to Frank Caggiano
    Level 1 (54 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 2, 2012 9:38 PM in response to Frank Caggiano

    Hey Frank,

     

     

    Thank you.  Discovered that I was making one tiny error writing the serial number in.  The S's and the 5's are almost identical, virtually identical.  Got it right.

     

    Everything is fine ... worked with that one serial number I got off the Aperture in the dying computer (the last upgrade I did).

     

     

    All the best,

     

     

    Ben