Need working backup of AM for myself

#1

I have AM 2002 with the two alien guys on it. I made a discovery when I went to make a back-up copy of it. The copy does not work. Now I’ve seen stories of how some people here went through hell to get a replacement CD or re-order a new CD after the “new” one they purchased came to them in peices…I really, REALLY don’t want to deal with Hash if it’s that bad. I have a working original CD and I know eventually those small nicks and scratches will make the CD useless and I really want to have a backup, working copy. I create the copy file for file but I can’t use it to run AM. Why and how can I?

#2

Your CD is the “key” to your software. Much like the keys to your car. . . Hash Inc. have every right to not allow that key to be duplicated. I have a Mini Cooper and it has this funky chip inside the key that makes it impossible to duplicate. A lot of software have dongles and some even force you to be connected to the internet every time you want to use the software so that they can check to see if your copy of their software is legit. So that is the long way of saying no. . . you can’t make a backup. You will have to contact Hash Inc. and ask for one or do what a lot of people do and go to a thrift store somewhere. . . buy an inexpensive 4X cdrom drive, pop your AM cd in there and ducktape the bastard shut. . . :slight_smile:

#3

In Europe there are several court precedents of companies being forced to recall media that doesn’t allow backups, as it’s classed as selling damaged goods. Not that the poster or Hash Inc. are in Europe, so it’s a moot point. :slight_smile:

#4

Those European court rulings don’t apply in this case - you CAN make a backup of the data on the CD. The CD just has an additional use as a dongle. So it is legal in Europe.

If what you said was the case, dongles would be illegal in Europe.

#5

Sure, I doubt the court would object to the fact that you need the CD to run the proggie, but they would insist that a CD that can’t be backed up is damaged goods. Do we need to beat up this dead horse anymore? I already said european court rulings don’t apply to US customers of US software companies.

#6

Music CDs that crash computers that try and copy the music from them in my mind are defective. You can copy the data from the AM cd all day long. . . your computer won’t crash. The CD also happens to be the “key” to your software.

Big difference.

#7

Ive made the copy and have the Data, but as Wegg points out, it does no good since the CD is the “key.” Must be the file system used to make them. Oh well. Thanks guys.

#8

On a Mac, in OS 9, there was an app that had the ability to ignore the read errors that some discs have as copy protection. A:M is one of those discs. I’m sure there is a similar app in the PC world that does the same.Good luck.

#9

Instead of trying to avoid the copyprotection you better should be glad, that AM has such a good protection. Otherwise it could be gone in the near future…Other people then you might not have such pure intentions.

;>) Jake

#10

YEA Jakey you bet! I thank my lucky stars every day for that…you bet, oh boy you betcha…

First off, I’m sorry that you may find it so impossible that I or anyone legitimately would want a back up copy of their Animation Master software. You remind me of a sap here who was pissed off at me and said how if I can afford to buy a $300 program I should shut up and save the money for the upgrade or another animation software. Secondly, I bought the program years ago at Comdex for $199 and not $299. Forgive me for being conscience about the money I spend and the fact that I actually do care about illegally copying software that I come here asking for advice and not snubbed nosed criticism.

Have a wonderful day Jake.

#11

Hey I don’t mean to snub anyone. . . I just know that this is something that I am not comfortable leaving open for everyone to read on the forum that I just happen to be the moderator for. I’m really glad your hear and that your talking. Lets just not talk about this please.