Lost Serial Number for Final Cut Studio/Pro

Question

Lost Serial Number for Final Cut Studio/Pro

I've been using my Final Cut Pro 5 for a while now, and recently about 2 months ago. It was working great and everything was fine. However, since then I've taken my computer in to get updated with 10.5 and to get the firewire input fixed.
Now, I was loading up Final Cut and it asks for my Serial Number.
I've torn the house apart and am unable to find it, or my "proof of purchase".
I've talked to apple support and just don't know what to do...
I have everything except the serial number.
Box, all the user manuals, all the CD's for studio including Motion and such.
sigh now what?

Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Oct 27, 2008 12:56 PM

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Answer 1

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Oct 27, 2008 1:00 PM in response to Commander Scooby

I've taken my computer in to get updated with 10.5...

There's a chance that the upgrade was done as an "Archive & Install".
Look at the top level of your hard drive. Do you see a folder named "Previous System"?

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Answer 2

Oct 27, 2008 1:09 PM in response to Nick Holmes

Nothing there.

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Answer 3

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Oct 27, 2008 2:09 PM in response to Commander Scooby

Then you will have to keep searching. If an Archive and Install had taken place, that folder would have contained your encrypted serial # from the older Mac OS.

If you call Apple with proof of purchase and explain your situation they might be prepared to issue a new serial #.

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Answer 4

Oct 27, 2008 2:17 PM in response to Commander Scooby

Your serial number is encoded in this file:
/Library/Application Support/ProApps/Final Cut Pro System ID

If you can't find that file in your backups, the procedure for serial number
replacement is described here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1861

Good luck!

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Answer 5

Oct 28, 2008 8:13 AM in response to stuckfootage

Well I opened my System ID file and it's just a big mess of numbers and code.
Not sure what in this could possibly be my Serial #.

And I don't have proof of purchase...

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Answer 6

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Oct 28, 2008 10:37 AM in response to Commander Scooby

Just move the Final Cut Studio System ID file to Hard Drive / Library / Application Support / ProApps.

You will then be able to install FCS and it will not ask for a serial #.

There's no need to fiddle around with the file in a text editor. The number is encrypted in any case.

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Answer 7

Oct 28, 2008 1:54 PM in response to Nick Holmes

That's where the file is.
It's there, and Final Cut is installed, and has always worked, until now it randomly asks for a serial number.

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Answer 8

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Oct 28, 2008 2:03 PM in response to Commander Scooby

What you should have done is move the System ID file from your backup to the boot drive, into the location I posted above, before reinstalling Final Cut Studio.

Look at the creation date of the System ID file, that is currently on the boot drive.
Look at the creation date of the System ID file, that is currently on your backup.
Compare them. You need the older one on your boot drive.

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Answer 9

Nov 12, 2008 8:03 PM in response to Nick Holmes

I have final cut studio on my G5 but I just got a new laptop and I have all of my boxes and disc but no serial number. I put the system ID like you said onto my laptop but when I try to install the software it still ask for the serial number. How do I install?

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Answer 10

Nov 12, 2008 8:40 PM in response to Commander Scooby

I have everything except the serial number. Box, all the user manuals, all the CD's for studio including Motion and such. sigh now what?

The two serial number stickers were originally affixed to the front of the booklet entitled "Installing Your Software" that was included with the package.

If you do actually have all the manuals and other papers that were included, it should be there.

-DH

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Answer 11

Note On

Level 1

0 points

Jan 1, 2009 7:43 AM in response to David Harbsmeier

I'm not the original poster, but I'm trying to get Final Cut Studio 5 from my old Powerbook onto my new one.

No "Installing Your Software" booklet exists in my manual set. I've looked through all the books, all the packaging...can the serial number be found anywhere else?

I did try moving the file with the embedded serial number, but that didn't work. I assume it's keyed to the hardware.

Any suggestions are welcome...

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Answer 12

Jan 1, 2009 9:27 AM in response to Note On

No "Installing Your Software" booklet exists in my manual set. I've looked through all the books, all the packaging...can the serial number be found anywhere else?< </div>

Please don't take this the wrong way but we see this topic so often around here that it defies credibility. Consider this from a professional's point of view: Someone spent $1,200 or more on this huge software tool. To believe that same someone did not carefully retain, preserve, or make copies of all serial numbers and receipts for such a large purchase is just weird. Think very carefully about how you got FCP and who paid the price. Certainly somebody in that chain had the clarity of mind to store the documentation!

You must find your serial number. If you do not have it, you will need to contact Apple and provide proof of purchase to a skeptical customer service person who has no authority to believe you. If you do not have documentation to support your purchase, you will be buying another copy.

bogiesan

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Answer 13

Note On

Level 1

0 points

Jan 1, 2009 1:09 PM in response to David Bogie Chq-1

Think very carefully about what it means that you keep seeing this topic around here.

Those two little stickers appear in the wrong place. The documentation says the serial number is to be found "on the packaging." Hence, the person who paid the price (me) retained the packaging.

Clarity of mind is not to be found in a new father of twins, which is what I was when I bought FCS 5. I got my project finished and into festivals despite odds you probably wouldn't understand. Now that the twins are older, I'm picking up the pieces of my former abilities and pressing forward again.

Message was edited by: Moderator

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Answer 14

Tom T.

Level 4

1,760 points

Jan 1, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Note On

Hi Note On

I just pulled out my FCP 5 pack and yes, the serial no. stickers are on the front of the thin "Installing Your Software" booklet. Same with FCP 6 (FCS2). As far as I can recall, which goes back 8 years to FCP 2, that's where it's always been placed. The stickers aren't anywhere else unless — when you installed the program on your old Powerbook — you pasted a sticker on the install disk or maybe on one of the FCP manuals.

If FCP 5 is still operational for you, when the initial Final Cut Pro splash screen opens, right in the center is "Licensed To:" below that is "<your name>" and below that should be the full serial number. If you didn't register your copy of FCP 5 w/Apple, and don't have the +Installing Your Software+ booklet, that's probably the only place left to look for the #.

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Answer 15

Jan 1, 2009 1:35 PM in response to Note On

Note On wrote:
Think very carefully about what it means that you keep seeing this topic around here.
Those two little stickers appear in the wrong place. The documentation says the serial number is to be found "on the packaging." Hence, the person who paid the price (me) retained the packaging.

Message was edited by: Moderator

You are mistaken, the reason we see this topic so often is attempts to activate unauthorized copies. If the threads are in the forums' histories, it's an easy item to research. I am going to guess the Mods remove them from the archives for the same mysterious reasons they will continue to edit this thread till it gets locked or pulled.
We sympathize with legitimate serial number problems such as lost or stolen machines and dead drives. But there are no hacks around Apple's serial number system.
The stickers are where they are. If you registered your copy with Apple, you had to locate them stickers to submit the serial numbers. It was up to you to put them someplace that reflected their real value.

bogiesan

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