Installation of MEP2016 Plus On New Computer

CarpentersMate wrote on 6/14/2022, 2:32 AM

Hi Gang

Hope all is well ...

Just wanted to go over basics for installing MEP 2016 Plus on another machine using W10 Pro:

I copied & pasted over (a downloaded) Application file from last Dec. 21 - also have a new unused Disc which is probably older than the downloaded application file?

I 'do' have connection to the internet - Email as well? Or can I use my other machine's email? I have a serial number and an older MPG Activation. BTW I remember removing MEP a few times then re-installing it in my older machine, problem? Also have a password from last December (can't remember what it was used for)? And decided no graphics card in the new machine, (will use onboard), you guys win! LOL Any problem with an SSD system drive as opposed to HHD?

Thank You!

Comments

CubeAce wrote on 6/14/2022, 2:52 AM

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike.

Emails are not computer specific if that is what you are asking. All you need is to visit your email account and log in using your normal password and user name. Emails are stored server side so anything you didn't delete will still be there.

The same with your Magix account.

There shouldn't be a problem with an SSD over an HDD but specs would be nice.

What operating system will you be using?

That may make a difference as SSDs should not be de-fragmented the same as you would an HDD.

I'm not sure how you have done your pc housekeeping in the past. What additional drives are being used?

Ray.

johnebaker wrote on 6/14/2022, 3:31 AM

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike

. . . . I have a serial number and an older MPG Activation. . . . .

Use the serial number and email address you registered the software on the old computer, if you have used both activation slots you should get a message asking you deactivate one, this may be possible from within the program, if not then go to your account at magix.com log in, same email address and password, and got to My Products, there you will find MEP 2016 and under Show more details the activations used, if neither slots are free - deactivate at least one of them, then continue the activation on the new install.

For the MPG activation, I assume you mean the MPEG-2 activation - if the dialog pops up asking to activate again and the serial number you have does not work, though it should as you are installing the same version of MEP, the dialog may have a link to re-activate the codec, IIRC you will need the original purchase order and serial number for this.

HTH

John EB

CarpentersMate wrote on 6/14/2022, 1:07 PM

Hi John - Hi Ray

Nice to see you guys again. I don't mind paying for any activations again. I'd like to keep MEP in both systems, as I won't be trashing the old one. So the password is for getting into the Magix site in order to check 'My Products' & "Emails are stored server side" (understood), thank you 😎

Ray; I 'DeFrag' (on schedule) the system drive, (not the storage drives). This will be my first SSD system; will explore maintenance options. The storage drives are all HDD always connected via Esta. Never a problem with that. One last thing; I just realized, one cannot use MEP without registration? I ask because I still have to format the new SSD drive (haven't received it yet). The current 2TB HDD is a temporary system drive. Thought I could test a bit while waiting, (no can do?) without using up an activation?

Thank You

Mike

johnebaker wrote on 6/14/2022, 1:58 PM

@CarpentersMate

With an SSD drive or standard Hard Drive manual defragging is no longer necessary. Windows 10 will automatically do this once per week by default for standard drives and once per month for SSD. SSD's do not really need this as they have their own built in system for file maintenance to ensure all memory cells on the drive are used in rotation. Windows 8 and 7 also do this - see this article. External storage drives should not be checked, unless you add them to the Windows defrag schedule

. . . . The dastardly folks flashed my Bios 'involuntarily' . . . .

I am interested who the 'dastardly folks' are, and what they did to the BIOS 😦other than update it to the latest version for the motherboard.

. . . . one cannot use MEP without registration . . . .

No - it won't, and the trial period is well expired.

John EB

CubeAce wrote on 6/14/2022, 2:15 PM

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike.

I'm pretty sure the computer boots from the EUFI (bios) before Windows gets loaded. I'm not sure what you are saying. If it is a Dell thing then I'm not familiar with those problems.

You can have the program on as many (C:) drives as you wish but each loaded program may need to be de registered when one Drive is finished with and then the program on the other drive may have to be re-registered before you can use it. This is because swapping out a C: drive may be considered by the program as sitting on a 'different' computer. Any major change in hardware could trigger that. A swap-out of CPU, motherboard, graphics card or C: drive would be considered a major change. This does not always happen and I've never had to try while using Win 10 so far.

You should not format an SSD the normal way for a HDD. Please read this first.

Ray.

CarpentersMate wrote on 6/14/2022, 8:08 PM

Hey Ray - John (thanks for your comments)

Magix Questions: Is it possible to buy 'another activation' (for the same program), in the other machine? As mentioned, I'd like to have access to both machines 'with' MEP (or) has Magix gone subscription only as many other companies have? My apologies I forgot the fee structure ....

Ray thank you for the article formatting SSD and info regarding 'EUFI' Yes I discovered terminology had changed in W10. Formatting SSD does appear similar to HHD drive format. I always 'erase/delete' a drive before formatting and never choose the long process.

Thank you again guys - Mike 🙂

AAProds wrote on 6/14/2022, 10:40 PM

Nothing wrong with Win 10, it doesn't change a "personalised" system despite all the updates, and there's no way in the world Windows would flash your BIOS by itself. The only way that could happen would be via the motherboard's manufacturer's software.

Do a nightly system backup so you can roll back if you awake to find MS has borked your 'puter with an overnight update gone awry.

I haven't defragged my computer for 4 years (SSD and many HDDs) and it is running as well as it ever did.

CarpentersMate wrote on 6/14/2022, 11:19 PM

"there's no way in the world Windows would flash your BIOS by itself"

I'd like to think you're not insinuating I imagined it? Or are you? There's a Tab in the Bios (when unchecked) the system will 'refrain' from searching 'automatically' for a more current Bios ... My point was: who the Heck would be looking for something like that in the first place, (unless thoroughly cautioned and familiar with W10), before using it? I never insinuated there was anything wrong with W10, (in fact I like the OS). But since this was a valid issue, with a possibly harmful outcome to the logic board, (as supported in the Dell forum), I think it could be beneficial for others to avoid the maneuver. In any event, I deleted that discussion unless someone would like to see a screen shot of that particular Bios option? Since flashing a Bios is 'serious' business, (and unless a novice was being guided by a competent Dell Technician), I personally think it was 'unwise' in W10 to treat it as you would an ordinary update. Lastly, I discovered Dell would offer replacement motherboards if a 'Flash' was done improperly either automatically or from 'improper judgement' on the part of Dell Technician. Partial Piece from Discussion:

I refer back to John B as per my original question ...

AAProds wrote on 6/15/2022, 12:43 AM

@CarpentersMate

That is scary! I agree BIOS updating is serious business, but it looks like the auto-update can be disabled (from Internet reading, I don't own a Dell myself. I am a strictly Build Your Own Computer person).

In defence of Microsoft, I suspect this auto-update of the BIOS is at the behest of Dell.

CubeAce wrote on 6/15/2022, 1:25 AM

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike.

I wish I could find the YouTube video but this Bios thing has to be a Dell setting and not Microsoft.

It had something to do with Dell not wanting people modding their computers.

Ray.

johnebaker wrote on 6/15/2022, 2:20 AM

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike

Both PC's , MAC's boot up from a BIOS. It is an essential component of the motherboard that holds settings for the motherboard hardware, some customisable user settings and where to look for the OS boot up.

The option for looking for updates to the BIOS is a PC manufacturers setting. Dell computers can auto update the BIOS when the Support Assist software from Dell is installed. This in itself is not harmful, BIOS updates are necessary for correcting hardware issues which are not fixable by installing new drivers etc, however they may not be necessary if the computer is not experiencing the issue they fix.

The most important thing is not switch off the computer while any update, whether BIOS, Windows, Drivers or software, is in progress. This is basic common sense, however, I have experience of the results of a sudden 'pull the plug incident' when an update starts and the user was not 'aware' of what is happening. One was in an office whose computer network, Dell PC's and a server I installed and looked after, were in use and they 'bricked' one of the PC's - happy ending it was recovered under guidance and using tools from Dell.

As @AAProds has commented this can be turned off.

John EB