Issue:


Activation Error Message


Solution:


The possible problems are arranged by error code below. Just scan the left column for your error, and see what to do.


General Errors:


Your serial number doesn't match our records...
We couldn't find the serial number you entered in our database. Perhaps you entered one for a different product, or a different version or platform of the same product. Or perhaps it was just a typo. The first thing to try is to copy/paste the serial number directly from the original email you got from us (or from your dealer). Check that the product, version number and platform all match up to the product you're installing. You can tell which product the serial number belongs to from the first 4 characters. E.g. FL60 = FontLab VI (both platforms); TR4 = TransType 4 for both platforms; TT3W = TypeTool version 3 for Windows; FG4M = Fontographer version 4 for Mac; FS5W = FontLab Studio 5 for Windows.

Still can't get it to go? Please submit a help ticket, and include the error message you received when activating.
No such file or directory...
When the app tried to read/write the license file from/to your computer, it couldn’t find the directory we were looking for. Please check you have appropriate read/write permissions for your directories and that they are specified correctly. Still can't get it to go? Please submit a help ticket and include the error message you received when activating.
Wrong host for license...

This is an RLM keyserver problem. The product tried to find the keyserver host, but couldn't. This relates to activation in a setting such as a shared computer lab. The lab admin should check that the keyserver software has been installed; that it is running; and that the host computer is online. The RLM keyserver instruction manual is here. If the RLM keyserver seems to be up and running correctly and you still get this message then please submit a help ticket to get our assistance.
17 Comm error with license server.
This is a problem related to the RLM keyserver, which is something configured by your lab administrator.

For some reason the product can't find the keyserver on the network. Please check that the keyserver software has been installed; that it is running; and that the host computer is online. The RLM keyserver instruction manual is here. If the RLM keyserver seems to be up and running correctly, and you still get this message, then please then please submit a help ticket to get our assistance.




Network/proxy errors


104 ... problem writing to the network...
This problem might be caused by a proxy server. ...

You can try to fix it by setting the system environment variable HTTP_PROXY = <PROXY_ADDRESS>:<PROXY_PORT>
where PROXY_ADDRESS is URL for proxy, and PROXY_PORT is the corresponding port.

For example, to utilize the HTTP proxy server running on "myproxyhost" on port 8765, use the following command on unix:
% setenv HTTP_PROXY myproxyhost:8765

If you don't have a proxy server or you don't know, etc, then please submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received when activating.
105 ... problem reading from the network...
This problem might be caused by a proxy server. ...

You can try to fix it by setting the system environment variable HTTP_PROXY = <PROXY_ADDRESS>:<PROXY_PORT>
where PROXY_ADDRESS is URL for proxy, and PROXY_PORT is the corresponding port.

For example, to utilize the HTTP proxy server running on "myproxyhost" on port 8765, use the following command on unix:
% setenv HTTP_PROXY myproxyhost:8765

If you don't have a proxy server or you don't know, etc, then please submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received when activating.
136 ... problem communicating with the network...
This problem might be caused by a proxy server. ...

You can try to fix it by setting the system environment variable HTTP_PROXY = <PROXY_ADDRESS>:<PROXY_PORT>
where PROXY_ADDRESS is URL for proxy, and PROXY_PORT is the corresponding port.

For example, to utilize the HTTP proxy server running on "myproxyhost" on port 8765, use the following command on unix:
% setenv HTTP_PROXY myproxyhost:8765

If you don't have a proxy server or you don't know, etc, then please submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received and what you tried to do. 
145 ... problem communicating with the network...

This particular problem is usually caused by trying to activate an outdated version of the software that has an incorrect address for the license activation server.

Please check at http://www.fontlab.com/contact-and-support/product-support/updates-and-upgrades/ to make sure you have the latest app version. If not, you can download it from there.

Sometimes this error can be caused by interfering anti-virus software. Try turning  off your anti-virus program and try activating again.

If the error persists despite all the above, please submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received and what you tried to do.




Online activation errors


1005 You have installed the program too many times.
You have exceeded the number of allowed installs for this program. This might be because you've moved it to too many computers or it might be that you've obtained a pirated copy. If you are getting this message and would like to buy additional licenses or move your license to another computer, then please submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received and what you want to do.
1017 Your serial number is past its expiration date.
Your serial number has expired. To renew it or order the non-time-limited version please submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received and what you wish to do.
1021 Your serial number doesn't match our records.
We couldn't find the serial number you entered in our database. Perhaps you entered one for a different product or a different version of the same product. Or perhaps it was just a typo. First thing to try is to copy/paste the serial number directly from the original email you got from us or your dealer. Check that the product, version number and platform all match up to the product you're installing. You can tell which product the serial number belongs to from the first 4 characters. E.g. TR3M = TransType Pro version 3 for Macintosh; TT2W = TypeTool version 2 for Windows; FG4M = Fontographer version 4 for Mac; FS5W = FontLab Studio 5 for Windows. Still can't get it to go? Please  submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received when activating.
1022 There was a problem with activation.
This problem could be caused by a proxy server...
You can try to fix it by setting the system environment variable
HTTP_PROXY = <PROXY_ADDRESS>:<PROXY_PORT>
where PROXY_ADDRESS is URL for proxy, and PROXY_PORT is the corresponding port.
For example, to utilize the HTTP proxy server running on "myproxyhost" on port 8765, use the following command on unix:
% setenv HTTP_PROXY myproxyhost:8765
If you don't have proxy server or you don't know, etc, please please submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received and include the error message you received when activating.
1025 ...previous license file exists or you don't have rights to write...

We tried to write the new license file to your computer, but either we found that there was already a license file there or we were unable to write to that folder because you weren't logged in under a username that has permissions to write to that folder.

So first look in the folder and see if a license file (ending in .lic) already exists. If so, delete it (or just change the extension to .bak) and try again. If you don't have write permission for the folder you should logout of your present user name and then log back in as admin or some other user name who has write permission for the folder. Then try the activation again.

The folder is "Macintosh HD/Library/Preferences" on Macintosh or "Common Application Data" (CSIDL_COMMON_APPDATA in Microsoft terminology) /Fontlab/<Specific Product> folder on Windows. For example, "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Fontlab\FontLab".

If you can't see the folder on Mac it may be because the OS is hiding it. If you don't see the Macintosh HD/Library folder then click on the GO menu in Finder; select "Computer" and it should appear.

If none of this works, please submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received.
1030 Unable to connect to the activation server...
For some reason our activation server can't talk to your computer. Looks like either you have a firewall, your ISP is down, our server is down, or something in between is not working. Please make sure your internet connection is working. If you're reading this page that probably means it is. Give it another try.

If the error persists, please submit a help ticket, being sure to include the error message you received.