[comp.sys.mac.misc] HDInstall program copy protection -- how to regain lost installs

jas@ISI.EDU (Jeff Sullivan) (05/30/91)

I have two programs now which use a program called HD Install to
install copies of copy-protected software onto my hard disk.  As far
as I can tell, this procedure places an invisile file, cryptically
named, onto my disk, but it must do something else as well, because if
I backup/restore or optimize the disk, even though the cryptic file is
still there, my "install" is lost and can't be "uninstalled."

So far, for various reasons, I have lost 2 of my 4 allowed installs on
my program.  My 3rd is now in use, and I'm getting worried that I'll
lose all of my installs and apparently (after talking to the company)
have to re-purchase the program to get more installs, or run it from
floppy (unacceptable).

Does anyone understand how this works well enough to help me get back
my lost installs?  (The cryptic files are piled up there, still there,
but not recognized for some reason), or,, failing that, to let me
install my program without worrying about "installs" at all?

Please understand that I am not trying to give copies away or pirate
the software, I just want to be able to run it from my hard disk
without keeping the floppy around for validation.

Any replies appreciated...

Jas
--
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Jeffrey A. Sullivan		| Senior Systems Programmer
jas@venera.isi.edu		| Information Sciences Institute
jas@isi.edu                    	| University of Southern California