After yet another hardware failure (leaking capictors), we had to install a new computer (at the time we didn't know what the problem was) with Microsoft RMS Headquarters Client. When activating, we get the error:
Activation Attempts Exceeded - Enter or purchase a new product key.
According to our records, the number of times that this software can be activated with this product key has been exceeded. In order to proceed, you need to enter a different 25-character product key. You will find the product key on the software CD case. To change the product key, click Change Product Key.
What is the maximum number of times the software can be activated? I understand this is to prevent piracy, but that is not the case here. Over the course of a couple of years, a computer may need to be upgraded for a variety of reasons, anything from normal upgrades to lightning damage (not to mention numerous software glitches that can and have occurred). In most cases, rather than closing down the store to troubleshoot some time-consuming issue, we've put in a new backup computer so that business can resume. Even with all that, I don't see how we've exceeded our activation attempts limit unless it was set unrealistically low.
Has anyone else experienced this problem? Are there any work-arounds for this? Will Microsoft issue an updated product key? Or are we just screwed? Perhaps this is a way for Microsoft to increase revenue... : ( Thanks for any suggestions.