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Activation Troubleshooting for ZBrush 3.5R2 Windows

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Use this thread to post questions or issues concerning activation for ZBrush 3.5R2 Windows.

Please include your complete system specifications
Operating System, CPU type and speed, RAM, disk space, graphics card, and anything else that might be applicable beyond those basics.
This information is very helpful to the people trying to answer your question, as well as helping us look for patterns.
Be sure to include this information even if you have already given it in another of your posts.

Thanks!

#2

Hello Support, I have sent an email regarding this too, but as it is urgent I thought I would post here incase any users had the same issue.

I have installed 3 copies of Z-Brush 3.5 - two are the new v3.5R2 which I installed this morning.

However we are having problems. Both our artists using the 3.5R2 software quit it for one reason or another. When they relaunch it, it asks to be activated again.

If we enter the activation codes we received on the browser page again (or paste the Zactivation.zsc file sent by email) it says ‘activation failed’.

We are using a network environment. I was careful to install the software as Administrator, then log out and log in as the user to activate it.

It looks like zbrush can read the Zactivation.zsc file as if we try and enter the code again the access time is modified, as if it is writing to it.

Both machines are running XP64 - latest service packs / updates, have 8Gig Ram, Dual Opteron CPUs. They previously had Zbrush 3 on them which I successfully unlicenced and removed using control panel as per the uninstall intructions. We had to install the latest C++ runtime in the troubleshooting folder to get the software to work.

Any help appreciated.

Nick

#3

I haven’t been able to activate 3.5 or 3.5R2. I just keep getting the activation failed message. I have already read and tried everything from the support site.

Windows XP Pro
2 GB ram
Amd 500+ Athlon64 X2 Dual Core Processors
GeForce 7600GT 256mb
2 300GB SATA Hard Drive RAID 0

The computer I use for art is not generally connected to the Internet, I just connect it temporarily every now and then to activate software and such. I will try running windows update today and see if that helps.

Update
I Updated my computer this morning with noton update and windows update and 3.5 R2 activated no problem.

#4

ISSUE #1:
3.5 worked no problem.

Downloaded and unzipped 3.5r2.

Deactivated 3.5

Ran and activated 3.5r2.

Was greeted with the error:

zb3.5r2.jpg

Attempted to run ZB again, became unauthorized.

Went through authorization process, cannot get authorized.

Emailed as directed in prompt seen above. Redirected to support site.

Came here.

Windows Vista 64bit SP1 (UAC Disabled)
Intel Xenon 5140 @ 2.33GHz
8GB RAM
nVidia Quadro FX 3450/4000 SDI
300GB Hard Drive, with 197GB free
12GB Pagefile

#5

It is in the other thread:
The “vmem” and “ZStartup/Tempfile” folder are needed and should have been created when the downloaded file was un-zipped. If they have not been created, then you will need to create these manually. Create an empty “vmem” folder in the ZBrush folder and one empty “TempFiles” in the “ZBrush/ZStartup” folder.
Good luck!

#6

Thanks Zaphod:)

#7

My pleasure - no: really, think you all deserve some rest.
This said:

THANK YOU!

#8

Created folders.

Ran ZB3.5r2.

Asked for authorization.

Filled out form.

Taken to page:
ZBrush Registration and Activation
This page is only for users who would like to activate the Windows version of ZBrush 3.5.

Attempted to use previously obtained Authorization Key

Authorization Failed.

#9

:large_orange_diamond:When I tried to register, I got the following message :“This page is only for users who would like to activate the Windows version of ZBrush 3.5”. What do I do?

This message appears when attempting to activate ZBrush 3.5 using a serial number from a previous version. You must use the ZBrush 3.5 serial number that was emailed to you after upgrading. There is no need to keep a record of any previous serial numbers, as those versions are no longer supported.

Good luck

#10

I used the serial number that was emailed to me on 9/10/09 after upgrading to the original ZB3.5. Is that not the correct one?

#11

you’re at 3.5R2, so

[color=red]These following instructions only apply to people who have the original release ZBrush 3.5

Anyone who purchases ZBrush or redeems their upgrade link from this point forward will receive the new version automatically.

If your folder is already named ZBrush 3.5R2 then you have the most current version and do not need to install this update.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS…

If you currently have activated ZBrush 3.5 on your system, you may want to first deactivate it by using the Web Deactivation
button found in the Zplugins palette. When done, continue with the following steps…

:white_small_square: Download ZBrush using the link that was sent to you AFTER you upgraded. This is in the same email that has your ZBrush 3.5 serial number.

:white_small_square: Extract the Zip file and Move the ZBrush 3.5R2 to your preferred location. (Usually, the Program Files\Pixologic folder)

:white_small_square: Open the ZBrush 3.5R2 folder and run ZBrush. (For Vista and Win 7 users, right-click on the ZBrush icon and select “Run as administrator”. )

:white_small_square: When presented with the activation window, click on “Web Activation” in order to activate ZBrush immediately online. (For fastest completion of your activation, copy the key from the web page, return to ZBrush and click the “Enter Code” button. )

It’s all there (not meaning that you can’t discover your unique bugs) -
Good luck with it!

#12

I am pretty sure I did all that, but to be sure, I am redownloading and starting over.

Sorry, I am not trying to be difficult. I blame Vista, which I despise, but unfortunately have to use here at work. At home, with my personal copy of ZB3.5r2 on WinXP 64bit, I had no problems what so ever.

#13

Ok, I went through the process again, and it seemed to work this time.

Perhaps this will be of value to others: The only thing I can figure out that I did differently was how I extracted the files from the archive.

Originally, I opened the .ZIP in IZArc and dragged the ZBrush 3.5R2 folder to …Program Files (x86)/Pixologic directly from the IZArc dialog. “vmem and TempFiles” folders were not created.

The second time, I again opened the .ZIP in IZArc, but used the “Extract” button and aimed it at …Program Files (x86)/Pixologic. This time, “vmem” and the TempFiles folder was created automatically.

So I think I am all good. My virtual mem problem also seems to have cleared up.

THANKS!

#14

Hello,

I have an activation problem by activate 3.5R2 after deactivate 3.5 on my desktop pc. Now I read after enter my serial number:

"You have reached the maximum number of activations for this serial number.
This machine was never registered and the number of active licenses has reached the maximum alloted for your purchase agreement.

If you would like make a request to technical support to deactivate an installed license on a different machine, please click on the link below."

Before the activation by 3.5r2, I have done a lot of activation for 3.5…because every new start of zbrush 3.5 had need a new activation on my system.

Noe there is no activation on my desktop…and I dont have an activation code for activate:cry:

sorry about my english!

#15

maxmax i have the same problem as you and already sent to support to deactivate the 2 instalation that i have one home and one in work.
All worked fine before the upgrade to 3.5R2

now iam waiting hope all will be ok

#16

I lost the original mail with the link to the download site - how do I get it back? I have already deactivated the 3.5 edition.

#17

I have a Windows XP Home edition, SP2 updates current.
I am running an AMD 2600+ 2Ghz chip set with 4GB RAM.
An NVidia GE Force 6200 driver updates current.
No trouble with ZBrush 3.1…
After downloading and unzipping 3.5R2 into ZBrush folder and clicking on ZBrush.exe I get a task bar ZBrush button that says “ZBrush not responding”.
I have in the past followed the procedures suggested to solve the web activation failure issues. You know, disable anti-virus software…running vcredist_x86_VS2008_sp1.exe, etc yadda yadda to no effect.

Is anyone experiencing better luck ordering and running the CD? I know Windows Voodoo rules may apply here.

Thanks in advance!
BrianW

#18

You’ll have to open a ticket with the Pixologix support guys (support.pixologic.com). The “deactivation” system is broken for some of us and they are being slow to recognize their is a problem with their new IP protection scheme (I just got a boiler-plate answer when I pointed this out to them in my ticket.) Maybe if we open enough tickets, and make enough noise about this, Pixologic will get it–we’re sick of IP schemes that break at the drop of a hat and require us to call and have the thing fixed manually each time we move a license.

Not that the support guys haven’t been great about it. They have always reactivated me after I run out of activations, but this is getting ridiculous that they keep implementing schemes that are so fragile. (Zbrush activation is by far the most fragile out of dozens of products I own.)

-K

#19

Getting error message “the application failed to start because it’s side by side configuration is incorrect. Please see the application event log is incorrect.”
I’m running Vista 64bit. Can anyone advise What I am doing wrong?

#20

I’m also getting this "ZBrush Registration and Activation
This page is only for users who would like to activate the Windows version of ZBrush 3.5." error.

Very annoying.

I installed the new version. It appeared to work fine. Did the web registration, no problem. But when I quit and reloaded the app, it told me I wasn’t registered.

I’ve tried reinstalling it and dropping in the license file that I was e-mailed, but it doesn’t seem to be recognizing it.

As far as I can tell, all folders, etc. are accounted for.

Jaime