Can I deauthorize an old computer "remotely"?

Question

Level 1

5 points

Can I deauthorize an old computer "remotely"?

My wife apparently forgot to deauthorize her old work laptop and turned it into her IS DEPT, who wiped it clean. Is there any way to get that computer deauthorized at this point? In poking around the Apple forums, I thought this link might have helped:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93035

it basically says to deauthorize all computers and reauthorize them, but I only have 4 machines authorized right now and don't see the "deauthorize all" option on my account. Do I have to wait until after I have 5 machines to see that option? Any other ideas I can try? Any help is appreciated!

Windows XP

Posted on Apr 11, 2006 10:07 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

soapynebula

Level 1

25 points

Apr 11, 2006 10:52 AM in response to Foot

i think you need to be on the computer to deauthorise... this can be a problem if you're no longer online with one or more, or if it is broken or has been binned. I certainly don't recommend using up all 5 unless you have to, instead i'd remove the protection altogether by burning the songs to an mp3 cd or DVD then reimporting as mp3...

Reply

Answer 2

Chris CA

Level 10

82,434 points

Apr 11, 2006 11:16 AM in response to Foot

Any reason you need to deauthorize it at this point?

Not sure if you have to have 5 diiferent computers authorized to be able to select it.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93014

Reply

Answer 3

Foot Author

Level 1

5 points

Apr 11, 2006 12:06 PM in response to Chris CA

Just want to deauthorize the old computer if possible, since i will never have access to it again. No point in having it taking up one of the 5 available auths, if I can help it. I don't see it being a huge problem, but it might come up. For instance, if one of the current machines I have authorized (my home & work PCs, plus wife's current laptop) crashes and can't be deauthorized, I'd be up against the 5 machine cap...

That link you included helps though! Thanks! Here's the pertinent passage from that page:

"Make sure you deauthorize your computer before you upgrade your RAM, hard disk or other system components. If you do not deauthorize your computer before you upgrade these components, one computer may use multiple authorizations. If you find you have reached 5 authorizations due to system upgrades, you can reset your authorization count by clicking Deauthorize All in the Account Information screen. Note: You may only use this feature once per year. The Deauthorize All button will not appear if you have fewer than 5 authorized computers or if you have used this option within the last 12 months."

So I won't see the 'deauth. all' button until I have 5 authorized. And then if I use it I can't use it again for a full year.. Not a big deal after all. If it comes down to it and I bump up against the cap, I can deuthorize 'em all. Thanks for the help!

Reply

Answer 4

Apr 11, 2006 12:09 PM in response to Chris CA

I think there is also a limit of only being able to do that like one time each year.

Reply