I am running WD Smartware PRO 2.3.0 on two Win 7 (32 bit) PC’s. One PC is AOK…but 2nd PC lost activation today after I replaced the old Seagate Free Agent drive with a new Seagate Backup Plus. I attempted reactivation by entering my activation code/email address. Many attempts …but I either received the message "error trying to Validate - Try again later: or activation process froze. I called support and I was told activation is with the software and not the drive…and replacing the drive should not caused a problem. I was told I would have to talk to a more advanced person. I was transferred - but after a long wait…was told everyone was on calls. I requested someone call me. Now over two hours and waiting. During this time I have tried many things - including replacing the new drive with the old.
Attempted to activate with code/email …and after a long wait - I received the Activation Result of “There was an error trying to validate your activation code. Please try again later”.
Loss of activation (for me) started last Thursday…and I had hoped it was resolved yesterday because a reboot did not result in loss of activation. But problem is back today. I have an open case number with WD…but have not received any feedback on this forum (after several requests) or via email or telephone.
For WD… Loss of Activation problem on WD Smartware Pro 2.3.0 was first reported on this thread 3-weeks ago and more more information was promised. Community Manager Bill S posted:
Sorry, we weren’t ignoring you. We are taking this issue seriously, and we will get it fixed. As soon as we have more information, we will notify you.
The last feedback was two weeks ago - Bill S posted:
We are looking into this. However, we will need to get further information from those of you that are willing. Each of you will be contactedby Support by private message. Please respond.
As evidenced by 5-pages, 39 replies, and 499 views in this thread - the problem continues. Repeated requests have been posted by users for WD to provide feedback.
Calls have been placed to WD technical support and instructions followed to uninstall/reinstall the program and provide WD Smartware logs. On other calls – I was told the problem was a server problem at WD and there was nothing to be done at the PC level. I was told that once Activated, the program did not connect with the server…and should remain activated. So it appears there are 2 issues causing frustration with Loss of Activation and inability to use purchased software with confidence. One user asked how he could get a refund. There was no reply from WD, but it is a legitimate request.
Moderators could improve WD’s relationship with users by being more active in these forums.
I received an email from WD on 4/17 that referenced my case number for loss of activation. It was a request to complete a customersatisfaction survey. If it were completed today, my comments and advice to friends would be to avoid WD Smartware Pro.
Yes - Many of us are having the problem activating WD Smartware Pro 2.3.0.
An associated problem is that once activated…the next day or anytime later … Activation is lost and attempts to reactivate frequently result in a “Try Again” error.
See related problem in this forum entitled “WD Smartware Pro Now Asking me to Activate -AGAIN”. It has 6 pages and almost 800 views.
For four long weeks - WD has stated either via this forum or directly by WD Support is that they are aware of the problem. Many casenumbers are “open”.
My recommendation is to not use the software as your primary backup running on an automatic schedule because at this point - it is unreliable. Maybe a fix will be available soon ???
