Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mycroftb Jan 27, 2009 12:01:16	This concerns issues specific to the non-beta Character Builder that went live on 2009-01-27. Current build is 190540. If this is in the wrong forum, I apologize, and request it be moved. I saw the Character Builder go live today, and I was highly anticipating it. I'd been holding off becoming a DDI subscriber, and finally did, for access to this tool. One of the main reasons I did so was the promise of being able to continue using the tool after my subscription ran out, just not being able to get additional updates. I do not know if this was an official promise from WotC (can anyone find something to back that up?) or just conjecture or at most a goal, and not officially listed as a feature. My concern is, if I have to reinstall my OS (or upgrade computers), it looks like I would have to reinstall the Character Builder from scratch, and I would lose all the updates to the program, and thus the CB would switch back to demo mode, and only make characters of levels 1-3. I tested this by doing the following: 1. On my main computer, I installed the new Character Builder, then updated it with my DDI subscription info. I tested to make sure it ran correctly. 2. On a secondary computer, I installed the new Character Builder, but did not update it. I tested to make sure it ran correctly in demo mode. 3. Making sure the programs were closed, I copied the contents of the "C:\Program Files\Wizards of the Coast\Character Builder" folder from the main PC to the secondary PC, overwriting the files there. 4. I launched the CB on the secondary PC, but it still prompted me to update. 5. When I declined to update and instead pressed the Launch button, the program crashed. 6. Instead of overwriting the files, on the secondary PC, I deleted the "Character Builder" directory and re-copied it. 7. Same results as #4-5 8. I performed a full registry export on the secondary PC. 9. On the secondary PC, I launched the CB, and updated it. After update, the program was able to launch successfully, and worked without issues. 10. I performed another full registry export on the secondary PC. 11. I scanned both registry files for differences, and found changes in the key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wizards of the Coast" (changes will not be posted). 12. I created a new .reg file with these changes. 13. I installed the new Character Builder on a third PC, did not update it, and tested to make sure it would run in demo mode. 14. I copied the "Character Builder" directory from the first PC over. 15. I ran my .reg file to import the changes to the registry. 16. Running the program on the third PC still prompts me to update, and if I try to launch without updating, the program crashes, as in #4-5 Recovery 17. I uninstalled the Character Builder from both the second and third PCs, manually deleted the "C:\Program Files\Wizards of the Coast\" directory, and then reinstalled the Character Builder. 18. On both the second and third PCs, the Character Builder works properly in demo mode. My concern remains: If something should happen to my PC where I either need to reinstall my OS or get a new computer, and I am not currently subscribed to DDI, I do not know a way to restore Character Builder functionality. Before I poke Customer Service on this question, does anyone else have any suggestions, input, etc. for me to try?
#2 dalzig Jan 27, 2009 12:14:41	What you are trying to do amounts to cracking the protections put in place on the program. They're there for a reason, even if that reason can be contrary to the usability of the program for certain users. Here's how this is currently working. The subscription nets you 5 installs/updates per month. As long as you don't have to install the CB and you do not care for the updates, it will continue running until hell freezes over even if your subscription lapses. However, if you uninstall it (by formatting, restoring, etc.) and you don't have any more activations, you are out of luck. You might be able to plead your case to Customer Service, but chances are that if your subscription is nonactive they can't/aren't going to be able help. Now, if only we could get a Basic Rules version only that has a one-time fee and unlimited activations (based on MAC address or such), then wouldn't that be handy? ;)
#3 mycroftb Jan 27, 2009 12:47:29	What you are trying to do amounts to cracking the protections put in place on the program. They're there for a reason, even if that reason can be contrary to the usability of the program for certain users. Good point. I'm disappointed that I have to stoop to such measures for this, though. It was my understanding that once I had the program, I could use it without limit, and this has been repeated around on the forums a lot. It seems my expectation of "use" may not fit what the designers intended. I'm still looking for more information on that premise, though. Was unlimited usage after the end of the subscription actually a listed feature? Or was it just conjecture on the forums, or at best, an accidental feature? If the former, I'd feel I'd be on firmer ground submitting feedback on this concern (though I wouldn't expect anything to be done about it). If nothing can be done about it, I accept that my view was wrong, and that it's my fault for assuming incorrectly. I'll still be disappointed though that my money went to such a precariously-positioned product that I have to go through inconveniences to continue using. Here's how this is currently working. The subscription nets you 5 installs/updates per month. As long as you don't have to install the CB and you do not care for the updates, it will continue running until hell freezes over even if your subscription lapses. That's what I'm counting on. I've used 2 updates tied to my account so far, I'm willing to use up to 2 more on working around this problem. My final update I'll use to install the program in a VM, that way I can keep the VM's hard drive in between OS reinstalls or computer changeovers. Oh, and just a quick note, I'm doing this for my own personal access only. From what I've seen in the registry as well as some of the files, it wouldn't surprise me that my DDI account name and/or other info was encrypted and tied to that install as a sort of watermarking feature. I'm totally fine with that. However, if you uninstall it (by formatting, restoring, etc.) and you don't have any more activations, you are out of luck. You might be able to plead your case to Customer Service, but chances are that if your subscription is nonactive they can't/aren't going to be able help. Also understood. While it can't hurt to ask, I don't believe that they would have the tools available to them to get me only the updates for the time I was subscribed to. It's possible that I might get someone who feels pity and authorizes it for the current update, but that wouldn't be what I was asking for - I'd get new stuff without paying for it, which is not my intention. Now, if only we could get a Basic Rules version only that has a one-time fee and unlimited activations (based on MAC address or such), then wouldn't that be handy? ;) I'm no fan of DRM (but hardly the Chicken Little type), but I'd hope for a standalone product that you could use without restriction once you bought it. Adding in "activation" only devalues the product to the customer (because when the activation servers shut down, they can't use the product any more), as well as increases costs to the supplier (having to maintain activation servers, fielding tech support for activation issues, etc.). Of course, it's their product/service, so they're free to do what they want with it; just as I'm free to not use it if I don't like the terms and conditions of use.
#4 mdonais Jan 27, 2009 12:54:37	Just download it and install it from scratch if you erase your hard drive. That is why you get 5 installs instead of 1.
#5 mycroftb Jan 27, 2009 12:58:06	Just download it and install it from scratch if you erase your hard drive. That is why you get 5 installs instead of 1. Will that continue to work after my DDI subscription has run out? As in, will it recognize that I was a former subscriber, and give me the updates only for the time I was subscribed? I have a feeling that it would instead tell me I'm not a current subscriber, and limit me to the demo mode.
#6 mudbunny Jan 27, 2009 13:00:08	I will do my best to answer your questions, but I will also be pointing this thread up higher, as they may have more answers for you on the stuff I don't answer. bahh, ninja'ed Good point. I'm disappointed that I have to stoop to such measures for this, though. It was my understanding that once I had the program, I could use it without limit, and this has been repeated around on the forums a lot. It seems my expectation of "use" may not fit what the designers intended. As you no doubt have read, the only difference between the full version available to subscribers and the demo version is that the full version has been updated. Current subscribers have available to them 5 updates a month, and this value is reset every month. Therefore, in theory, one could have it installed on 5 different laptops, and update each program each month without any problems. If people have problems updating, the recourse is to contact CS and get them to change the number of "updates" the account has charged to it to allow for further updates. Once your subscription has ended, I am not sure what the process is or how it would work, if you should have to re-install or something like that.
#7 mycroftb Jan 27, 2009 13:05:15	Once your subscription has ended, I am not sure what the process is or how it would work, if you should have to re-install or something like that. Well, I signed up for only one month subscription, and sent in my request to cancel auto-renew, so if I don't get a definite answer by then, I can see first hand for myself. I'll try to make sure to update this thread at that time with my findings. (Unless I like the DDI features so much that I end up re-subscribing before I lose out, in which case this little experiment would have to be postponed.)
#8 wotc_dm Jan 27, 2009 13:06:04	Will that continue to work after my DDI subscription has run out? As in, will it recognize that I was a former subscriber, and give me the updates only for the time I was subscribed? No I have a feeling that it would instead tell me I'm not a current subscriber, and limit me to the demo mode. This is indeed the expected behavior if you have to re-install the application without being a current subscriber.
#9 mycroftb Jan 27, 2009 13:13:59	No This is indeed the expected behavior if you have to re-install the application without being a current subscriber. Quick, authoritative answer. Thanks! Now that I know my installation is not immortal, I'll get to playing with it, and checking out my other nifty DDI features. Hello, Encounter Builder! Sorry I missed you the first time around, nice to meet you finally...