Gordon wrote:

Doesn't most nav software allow only a limited number of usages (like
2?)? So what happens when your cheap ebay laptop crashes? Isn't your
software history also?
Just wondering
Gordon

I've never seen a software that required a key or unlock code that could
not be reinstalled and have the key re-entered. So if you rebuild your
system or acquire another, and are smart enough to have kept the
registration key or unlock code, you simply install again and start over.

Some of these softwares can be installed on multiple devices as long as
the devices all have the same user I.D.

On some hardware, particularly PDAs, the device must have the same
Device I.D. (normally the name used for syncing) in order for the
reinstall to work.

And some software (Tom Tom 5 Navigator is a good example) a unique
number in hardware (like the ROM I.D. or MAC address) is used in
conjunction with the unlock code to prevent installation on more than
one single device. On those the process is to install the software,
send the installation code generated by the install process to Tom Tom,
they then send you an unlock code, you enter that, and the software
becomes fully capable. That PDA and the software are paired for life
and it cannot be installed on any other device ever.

Magellan limits their MapSend nav software to use with one GPS receiver
and uses the hardware serial number embedded in the receiver to make
that work.

Garmin lets you use MapSource software products with two hardware
devices. That is controlled by unlock codes obtained instantly via the
internet, only two unlock codes are allowed for a given software serial
number.

There are minor variations in the processes for different type of
software (street, topo, or marine mapping) and the process is not the
same for all older versions of the software.

Jack

--
Jack Erbes in Ellsworth, Maine, USA - jackerbes at adelphia dot net
(also receiving email at jacker at midmaine.com)