Recently, I had to have the motherboard replaced on my MacBook Pro. When I got it back, I migrated all my files back onto it. I expected QuarkXPress 7 to require reactivation, but was surprised that it wouldn’t. It complained about not being able to write to the activation database (or something).
The quick and painless fix was to double-click the “QuarkXPress Components” file that lives inside the “For System” folder inside the QuarkXPress application folder. Apparently it reinstalled whatever hidden activation database file was required, and the next time I launched QuarkXPress it activated without a complaint. Go figure.
I’ll keep this trick tucked away for the next time one of our Macs needs some surgery.
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27. November 2009 at 8:53 am
I have a fully paid upgrade from Quark Xpress 6 to Quark Xpress 7. I installed it successfully, but it won’t activate. When I try to obtain an activation code I get this error message:
The installation code is not valid. Enter a valid installation code, or use our online request form to request your Activation code.
If I go through the link above I get into the same loop. If I telephone the ‘toll=free’ lines I am told I will have to pay 20 euros to talk to someone.
As someone who has run QXP since version 3, and bought many copies for my studios over the years, I don’t appreciate this kind of treatment. I have paid for your product, and I can’t use it.
Do you have any advice on what I can do to make the product run?
Many thanks,
John
27. November 2009 at 12:37 pm
John: We’re not Quark (!), but perhaps I can help: it sounds like you bought the upgrade a long time ago and never activated it. And while Quark’s policy is to give free support only for the current version of QuarkXPress (in this case, 8), it seems that someone there would be willing to help you with activating a product you purchased.
Can you try contacting their Customer Support people (not their Technical Support people) in the UK? Give them a call during regular office hours and explain your situation. I’ve found them to be quite accommodating these days.