Final Cut Express 4

Question

Level 1

8 points

Final Cut Express 4

Hi,

I'm new to this support community so please excuse my bumbling around until I get things figured out.

I have Final Cut Express 4 installed on my Mac Book Pro 3,1 which is about done it's life. I wish to re-install FCE on my newer machine - a Mac Book Pro 9,1 running Mavericks. I have the discs and the Installing Your Software Booklet with the Product Serial Number; however, everytime I enter the serial number as part of the re-install a pop-up window appears saying it is invalid. I don't want to spend the $300USD to upgrade to Final Cut Pro. Is there a workaround?

Thanks,

RS

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.4)

Posted on Aug 18, 2014 12:07 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,561 points

Aug 18, 2014 3:18 PM in response to drsearle

See if this document helps:

Troubleshooting Professional Application Serial Numbers

Also, is the software you are installing an upgrade version or a full version of FCE? If it is an upgrade version, you need to enter the serial number of the full version you are upgrading from (it does not have to be installed on the machine, just enter the serial number) and then you will be prompted to enter the upgrade serial number of the software you are installing.

MtD

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Answer 2

drsearle Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 18, 2014 3:48 PM in response to Meg The Dog

Thanks MtD! This looks like a promising lead. I'll give these methods a try in a short while. Will let you know how it goes. Fingers crossed!

RS

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Answer 3

drsearle Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 18, 2014 8:29 PM in response to Meg The Dog

Hi Meg,

Forgot to answer your question. I purchased the full version of FCE 4 HD.

About to give some of these suggestions a go.

RS

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Answer 4

drsearle Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 18, 2014 8:38 PM in response to Meg The Dog

Nope. None of the methods resolved the problem.

What is this Support ID number on the label? How is it used?

Thanks,

RS

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Answer 5

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,561 points

Aug 18, 2014 10:11 PM in response to drsearle

I'm not sure Apple still supports FCE as it was abandoned by Apple several years ago.

Your best bet might be to go to an Apple store and see if a Genius can help, but I am just guessing.

Just to verify, you are doing a clean install (no prior version of FC on your machine, and you don't have FCP-X installed), correct?

MtD

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Answer 6

drsearle Author

Level 1

8 points

Aug 21, 2014 10:05 AM in response to Meg The Dog

You were right. FCE is not compatible with new machines and OS. Looks like I will have to purchase FCP X which is more than I need and more $$$ than what I'd like to spend, but iMovie just doesn't meet my needs so not much choice.

Thanks for your help.

RS

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Answer 7

Aug 22, 2014 1:31 AM in response to drsearle

Have you checked out the latest version of iMovie as it's a very capable app?

Precisely what editing processes do you require that iMovie can't provide?

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