How do I get a lost activation key for 4.5 after computer crashed

[Former Member]

I have version 4.0 and I also upgraded to 4.5. Unfortunately my computer crashed and I had to reinstall windows and I lost most of my data including my key for 4.5 I had the key for 4.0 and managed to re-install that but I want to go to 2008, mostly for the print function and I read that you can't upgrade any of 4.0 to 2008 although I did manage to do so with a small one quite easily, just had some fonts that needed to be modified. I tried it with a larger scenario and it seems to convert quite nicely with the same font issue but when I try to preview it, it goes into preview mode and seems to get about half way there and just hangs. I exported the scenario to a pdf and html and they do the same when I try to open them. Is this just a problem with 4.0 to 2008 or do I need to convert everything to 4.5 and if so, how do I get an activation key or do I just need to start from scatch with 2008. All of my scenarios just use excell as the a source although some of them have about 100 objects, 4 sheets in the excell spread sheet, with a max of about 400 rows in any sheet. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Former Member]

I just now found the answer and it actually worked! I searched this forum again using "activation" as the keyword and a post dated Feb 27, 2009 was answered by a SAP rep. The forum question is titled "XL activation problem" The rep listed a phone number to call where you can get the activation code reset. I then uninstalled it on my old computer and was able to activate it on the new one (which I had already installed 4.5)

Call 800-877-2340 and select option #5 (not #4 which is tech support).

I told the person who answered the problem and that I needed to de-activate the software from one computer so I can install it on another. She said ok, no problem and I gave her the serial number from the CD and it was done. Too bad that phone number is so well hidden, it's not the same as the support number on the CD or the SAP site that I could find.,

[Former Member]

Thanks for the info. Someone actually answered the phone and provided me with some inforamtion. I haven't gotten this resolved yet but I think we are making progress.

[Former Member]

I'd be cheaper to repurchase 4.5 from Amazon ($195 for standard or $495 for Pro) than purchase Xcelsius 2008. I too have similar problem where I now have new computer but the software won't let me install it on a second computer (which every other software let's you do). I also can't get any response from SAP support unless I pay $195 to open a case. I'd rather spend that money on a copy of the software.

I also have Xcelsius 2008 however importing these other models into it will be much more work to fix all the things it messes up than starting from scratch. Save yourself days of headache and repurchase 4.5. It really is infuriating how the support for this product has gone from good to zero since SAP purchased BO. Even with the new product, no support is given. I guess paying $895 is small change and they can't be bothered with you.

[Former Member]

Brenda:

Thanks for the response. I too am underwhelmed by the support for the software since SAP bought the company. This happens all the time when companies get bought. The purchased products all seem to suffer from the NIH (not invented here) syndrome and become the evil stepchildren.

The only reason I wanted to go to 4.5 is for the ability to convert to 2008 and the only reason to go to 2008 is for the print function. I get complaints from my users that they can't print the PDF versions. Since the conversions from 4.5 to 2008 don't work very well anyway there is no other compelling reason to go too 4.5.