VS Express ISO CD Install

[nordloewelabs]

i installed my VC# Express from the ISO image (i've had for a while) and applied the SP1 update immediatelly afterwards. this is the info i get from HELP > ABOUT > COPY INFO:

every time i open VC#, i get nagged by a ToolTip baloon that says that i have x days to Activate my copy of the program. it's pretty annoying. i've read on several posts that the CD install of the Express Editions do not require registration, nevertheless my installation has already nagged me for 18 days.

is there any particular scenario in which the program does not acknowledge that you installed it from the ISO (maybe due to User accounts, Firewall or OS settings, etc, etc)...? there must be a solution for this issue. i know i could try Express 2008, but i'd rather stick to the previous version a bit longer. here is my config:


Visual Studio 2005 8.0.50727.762 (SP.050727-7600)
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.50727 SP1
Microsoft Visual C# 2005 76544-000-0000011-00126

Windows XP SP2



any suggestions are welcome. thanx.

 

[Crusty]

Where did you get the ISO? I'm willing to bet it's not VC# Express.

 

[nordloewelabs]

dont bet. MSDN!

 

[Crusty]

How about this, take a screen shot of the splash screen when it starts up and post it.

 

[nordloewelabs]

dude, only an idiot would take chances with an OS, AV, FW or Development tool downloaded from P2P or warez. especially if such prog happens to be free to start with.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: nordloewelabs
dude, only an idiot would take chances with an OS, AV, FW or Development tool downloaded from P2P or warez. especially if such prog happens to be free to start with.

Thanks for putting words in my mouth. Did you ever consider that perhaps you didn't download the correct ISO from the MSDN?

 

[nordloewelabs]

i got the right file.... from HELP > ABOUT:

Visual Studio 2005 8.0.50727.762 (SP.050727-7600)
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0.50727 SP1
Microsoft Visual C# 2005 76544-000-0000011-00126

there only 2 options for Image CD formats: ISO and IMG.
and only few options for Development tools.
how can anyone download the wrong file, install it and
run it for 18 days and not realize what was downloaded?

only someone with an issue at a chromosomal level could
make such mistake.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Registration of express is free, so just register it and be happy.

 

[Markbnj]

So why not just go ahead and activate it? If it's VC# Express, and it's asking for activation, then I guess you will need to do that.

 

[Crusty]

Well you said that the Express edition doesn't require Activation, and your installed Version is asking for Activation. So you are either misinformed about the Activation, or you downloaded the wrong thing. So apparently the only thing that it COULD be is that you are misinformed about the Activation given that you are 100% positive you installed the correct version.

 

[QuixoticOne]

Looks like the OP is correct and that is should be possible to work without registering it. My guess is that there's some step you might have executed in the installation process that told it that it could connect to the internet / could register, or that it automatically is probing your PC for internet connectivity and is therefore nagging you about registering it because it's POSSIBLE to register it (given the network connection) even though that wouldn't be required if the PC wasn't online.

Or it could just be a bug and it shouldn't be nagging you.

All this registration, activation, etc. etc. stuff with software and websites these days is truly an annoying waste of time and invasion of privacy. Isn't it enough that you're willing to *use* their stuff and contribute to their success by doing so?

http://www.microsoft.com/express/support/regfaq/

7.


I want to download and install an Express Edition on a computer that does not have Internet access. What can I do?

If you need to install and use an Express Edition on a computer that is not connected to the Internet, you will need to create an installation DVD using the DVD ISO file that is available on the Express site. The installation DVD you create will then allow you to install an Express Edition on a computer that is not connected to the Internet, and that Express Edition will not require registration key for continued usage.

To create an installation DVD for Visual Studio Express Edition, please see the Offline Installation Instructions on the Express site.
http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/offline.aspx

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: QuixoticOne
Looks like the OP is correct and that is should be possible to work without registering it. My guess is that there's some step you might have executed in the installation process that told it that it could connect to the internet / could register, or that it automatically is probing your PC for internet connectivity and is therefore nagging you about registering it because it's POSSIBLE to register it (given the network connection) even though that wouldn't be required if the PC wasn't online.

Or it could just be a bug and it shouldn't be nagging you.

All this registration, activation, etc. etc. stuff with software and websites these days is truly an annoying waste of time and invasion of privacy. Isn't it enough that you're willing to *use* their stuff and contribute to their success by doing so?

How is that an invasion of privacy? You do NOT have to register a product, but you DO have to activate it before the window is up if you want to use it. When you activate a MS product there is absolutely NO user/personal information used. There is a BIG difference. Out of all of the MS products I own and use everyday, the only products registered are ones on my Workstation at work, all of my personal copies of software are not registered, yet everything is still completely activated. The OP confused the language, and now other people are too.

If VC# Express is nagging you about Activation then you did not install the right thing. If it's nagging you about registration, just make sure the "Ask me every time." or whatever it happens to be on the screen is disabled. If there is no option in there, browse around the tools/options.

Someone posted a very nice white paper on Windows Activation over in the OS forums a while ago, I'll try to dig up a link so you can understand what Activation actually does, no it does not steal your credit cards or porn viewing history.

Waste of time? So lets say you are overly ambitious and reformat your computer every 6 months, and every 2 reformats you change out a part so that it requires you to call up Microsoft to reactivate. The first time you activate, it takes 15 seconds because you have to click a few buttons. The 2nd time it takes you 5 minutes because you have to call and repeat a few numbers to a machine. So we are up to 5 minutes and 15 seconds a year of time spent dealing with Windows Activation. Lets say on average you use your computer 2 hours a day(low IMO, but maybe across a whole year it might be reasonable), that's 730 hours of use a year. So you spend 0.012% of your time using Windows dealing with Activation, such a huge annoying waste of time I guess. I'll go ask MS for my $3 that I lost of productivity time every year.


edit: Here's the white paper.
http://www.microsoft.com/downl...4ced7f6&DisplayLang=en

It only talks about Vista and Server 2008 though, but you get the idea.

 

[nordloewelabs]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
So why not just go ahead and activate it? If it's VC# Express, and it's asking for activation, then I guess you will need to do that.

it shouldnt be the case with VS Express. in Windows, Photoshop, AutoCAD, etc, "Activation" is one procedure and "Registration" is another. however, in VS Express, the Tooltip that pops up and asks you to "Activate" the program is actually trying to lead you to the "Registration" dialog-box.... odd, i know.

Originally posted by: QuixoticOne
Or it could just be a bug and it shouldn't be nagging you.

i think the Activation (aka Registration) was triggered when i restored my HD from an image a few weeks ago. either that, or the change in years (2007->2008) caused the problem.... like you, i try to avoid Registrations. especially when i know they are optional.

Originally posted by: Crusty
If VC# Express is nagging you about Activation then you did not install the right thing.

sorry, mate, but you havent made a single correct assesment in this whole thread.... i'll forgive you, though.

i have VCSX 2005 running on 3 machines here: 2 Desktops and 1 Tablet-PC. all 3 were installed from the same ISO image. i just re-installed the program (using the same ISO) and the Activation (aka Registration) Tooltip vanished. something was wrong in the Registry and it got fixed.

 

[programmer]

If you have MSDN, why not just get/burn the standard or pro edition?? The ISOs come with the install key embedded

But for Express editions, they are all FREE, but MS just asks for registration
http://www.microsoft.com/express/support/RegFAQ/

Also the general Express edition FAQs
http://www.microsoft.com/express/support/faq/


3. How much will these products cost?

Effective April 19th, 2006, all Visual Studio Express Editions are free permanently. This pricing covers all Visual Studio 2005 Express Editions and Visual Studio 2008 Express Editions including Visual Basic, Visual C#, Visual C++, Visual J# (only available in Visual Studio 2005 Express), and Visual Web Developer as well as all localized versions of Visual Studio Express.

5. How long do I have to register?

You'll have 30 days from when you install your Visual Studio Express Editions.