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Author
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Topic: Software Problem
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Moi
Mini Geek
Member # 4980
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posted July 20, 2006 12:31
OK, here is my problem. I recently got a new laptop and I'm trying to install the programs that I have on my desktop onto the laptop. For one program, however, I don't have the CD (I did at one point, but I've misplace it), but it is installed on the desktop. Is there any way to get the program onto the laptop?? Thanks for any help and if I'm not clear with my question, please let me know. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
Posts: 89 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Stereo
Solid Nitrozanium SuperFan!
Member # 748
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posted July 20, 2006 12:46
A few things. Windows, Linux or Mac? (Or other?) This is essential to tell whenever you are talking software or bugs.
Also: read your licence carefully, as you may not be allowed to install the software on two working computer at the same time. If you use it on both computer, you may need two licences.
What software is it? Some can be downloaded from the net, then activated using the licence code, which can usually be found from the software itself. Or you could contact the creator and ask for another copy. The may charge a shipping fee for it, but you'll be safe in case you need to reinstall.
Otherwise, depending on the complexity of the software, you may try to 1)burn the software on a cd then copy from the CD to your laptop; 2) network the two computers and copy directly from one to the other; 3) network the two computers and transfer the full content of your desktop's harddrive to your laptop (very easy with Macs and a Firewire cable); or 4) find another solution.
In any ways, whenever you need help, the more info you give, the better your chance to get a solution.
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Eppur, si muove!
Galileo Galilei
Posts: 2286 | From: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada | Registered: Apr 2001
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uilleann
Discontinued
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posted July 20, 2006 13:00
The answer is always yes. The level of complexity varies greatly.
Firstly, installation. This depends solely on how it was set up. If it registered COM (ActiveX) components or other DLLs and services such as drivers and codecs and shell extensions, you'll have to have some very leet knowledge to identify all these and re-register them on the laptop! If it did not install anything into the operating system, that's a very good first step. (In Linux you're probably more onto a winner here)
Now, where do its files live? Are they all in \Program Files\ or the equivalent? Programs have other annoying places to stash files. You'll need to copy them all across.
Finally, configuration. This step is not required, but useful. Program configuration may live in a multitude of places, especially in Windows, where it might be absolutely anywhere in your profile folder at all (open source software especially tends to abuse Microsoft's drive layout), anywhere in the Registry under goodness knows what keys, in the Windows folder or in the folder of the program itself. Some programs use a combination of several places.
Under Windows or *NIX you'll also have to redo any other system configuration like file assocation, if the program cannot perform this itself.
Winamp for example stores absolutely everything about itself in a single folder and it has built-in UI for reassociating files with itself, making it very easy to copy from one PC to another, or copy it off your old hard drive onto a new one having just reinstalled Windows.
Moving MS Office however from one PC to another would be almost impossible I imagine!
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Moi
Mini Geek
Member # 4980
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posted July 20, 2006 13:06
OK, I have Windows and the program is Adobe PhotoShop Elements. The program has already been put on 2 different computers and I'm pretty sure it was a burned copy of the program to begin with. I just wasn't sure how to go about making a copy of the program to move to another computer.
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-ct-
BlabberMouth, the Next Generation
Member # 209
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posted July 20, 2006 15:48
quote:
Originally posted by Stereo:
...
Also: read your licence carefully, as you may not be allowed to install the software on two working computer at the same time. If you use it on both computer, you may need two licences.
...
ROFLMAO, as if that's gonna make ANY difference ![[Happytears]](graemlins/happytears.gif)
quote:
Originally posted by Moi:
.. I just wasn't sure how to go about making a copy of the program to move to another computer.
you don't
you reinstall it from the setup files
UNLESS:
you know exactly what files and in what directories to copy from one to the other, *AND* which registry entries to export/import
i.o.w., it CAN be done, but not by 99.9% of users out there
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Things are always darkest... just before you pull your head out of your butt, void where prohibited, keep away from flame, surcharge(s) may apply.
www.harddriveHELL.com and demoniclemon.com
Posts: 1906 | From: nowhere, man | Registered: Jan 2000
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Stereo
Solid Nitrozanium SuperFan!
Member # 748
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posted July 21, 2006 08:26
quote:
Originally posted by -ct-:
quote:
Originally posted by Stereo:
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Also: read your licence carefully, as you may not be allowed to install the software on two working computer at the same time. If you use it on both computer, you may need two licences.
...
ROFLMAO, as if that's gonna make ANY difference
Well, that was my attempt at "we don't condone pirating software." If it enlightened your day, then it was more useful than I thought. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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Eppur, si muove!
Galileo Galilei
Posts: 2286 | From: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada | Registered: Apr 2001
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Jace Raven
Solid Nitrozanium SuperFan!
Member # 2444
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posted July 21, 2006 08:30
Aaaarrrrgh! I rekon them Pierats are shifty people.
Posts: 1791 | From: Seoul, Korea | Registered: Nov 2003
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