Topic: Activating an orphaned Windows Product

[silversam]

Microsoft Visio.

Once upon a time, in a past life, I was a Registered Visio Developer. Visio was an excellent tool and I've used it very successfully over the years for a variety of purposes. Most recently I used it when we sold the house and moved into the apartment. It was perfect for laying out what furniture would go where. What would fit and what wouldn't.

I ran it on my Mac using some WINE related software, but I'd have to upgrade that and I'm loath to spend the bucks now that I really don't have much of a need anymore. I ran it on an old XP laptop after that, which worked fine till the laptop crapped out. Another XP laptop later and all is well - till the program kept crashing (It was Visio 2K). I decided to "splurge" and bought an unused copy of Viso 2003 on eBay for a few bucks. I successfully installed it and all seems well.

Until it tells me to Activate the product.

Which Microsoft seems to no longer activate. I've got about 30 more tries with the software before it locks out.

Anybody have any ideas?

I really don't need this, it's just the kind of thing I bring out for a variety of things a couple of times a year. And i'm used to having it around.

Sam

[MacGyver]

I'm checking on an option for you, Sam.  Is there a preferred version you like?

[hbiss]

I have an old version of Adobe Illustrator that I bought many years ago. I tried to move it to another newer machine and found that it wouldn't register. Then I found that since it's so old and unsupported, Adobe gave a link when you tried to register it to a key that will work with that version for anyone who want's it. Something about them abandoning it so you can have it.

Wonder if Microsoft does that. Fat chance.

-Hal

[silversam]

Thanks, Trace. I'm running Visio 2003 - because the only Windows Computer I have is XP (everything else is a Mac).

I'm running XP, because all the old Windows software that I occasionally use runs on it.

It's not crucial. It's just silly.And annoying. It's one of the reasons I got away from microsoft.

I wouldn't put too much effort into it. It's just dumb.

For all that i use (or don't use) this stuff, it doesn't pay for me to invest money in new hardware of software..

Thanks for the effort.

Sam

[silversam]

Thanks, had. I've got the Key. It's valid, but Microsoft insists on "activating" the product - either by Telephone (no longer offered) or via the internet.

The website that the automatic internet activation takes you to fails.

I was wondering if MS offered an orphans home.

Somehow I doubt it.

No big deal. I'll use it till it expires and then I'll look for something else - if I decide i really need it.

Sam

[EV607797]

While we're on the subject of Microsoft key activations, there's some place on FB selling Office 365 for under $40.00.  I bought the full version on an annual basis for $99.00 and have been very happy with what it provides.  I don't want to jinx it, so I'm leaving it alone.  I was just thinking about others who might want to purchase it.

[telemarv]

Sam, I ran into the same issue trying to activate a Win7 install. Microsoft has discontinued activation of older non supported software.

[silversam]

Marv,

There were several reasons I left Microsoft and went over to the Mac; Viruses, Registry issues, Lack of Tech Support and....

Lack of giving a shit for existing customers.

Sam

[MacGyver]

Sam, I haven't forgotten about you.  I just need to find the right ISO.  I might check with Tony.

I kept hoping all the desktop programs would emerge with a Linux version, but it hasn't happened. 

[MacGyver]

Sam I am.  Check your PMs. 

[tonyburkhart]

Old thread but wanted to check in.

Sam, Did you get it working?

-Soapbox-
Obviously I am a huge Apple macOS fan and Linux nerd too. For a business product, Apple is simply the only way to go, for a multitude of reasons but I do not have to convince you of that. LOL

For support on legacy hardware and interoperability with 80% with the lowest spec machines tangent Linux is the best.

I run both for business and personal. We at Team Burkhart, LLC are in the Apple Consultants Network https://consultants.apple.com/us/profile/2073954 and we use many systems that rely on Linux on a daily basis.

We are also a Microsoft Partner so I truly understand and appreciate all 3 worlds in hardware and software aspects.
-Soapbox-

Now that I am off my soapbox, for best practice suggestions, there are a couple other recommendations if you have not solved your conundrum.

LucidChart - https://www.lucidchart.com/ - I used to use this exclusively before we rolled out Microsoft 365 internally.

Have you thought about running Windows in VirtualBox on whatever Apple device you have? If you set on using that software and it sounds like you are super used to it, then that is an option.

Also, have you ever used an alternative to Visio (like LucidChat suggested above even though it is an online only) locally installed for Apple or Linux? We have deployed yEd Graph Editor https://www.yworks.com/products/yed then you do not have to worry about licensing and all.

Then there is the classic LibreOffice Draw https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/draw/

Hopefully those help if you have not found something! Feel free to ping me as always. Thanks 😊

[silversam]

Tony -

I tried Lucidchart and it worked - sort of. Not good enough for me.

I had subscribed to the new Visio Online, but it wouldn't run .VSD drawings - only .VSDX and I couldn't convert them with the older software. I got a copy of Visio 2007 and it also gave me grief - it needed upgrading to run, but upgrading wass no longer available etc.

Trace was kind enough to help me out with a Visio 2016 copy. It wouldn't run on XP, but I borrowed a Windows 10 laptop from the school I teach at, loaded it on there, was able to load my old drawings, convert them to the new format AND got everything I needed working going.

Of course I had to return the laptop, but at this point in my life, I've decided I no longer need to keep everything that I might use every few years on hand. Any work I do these days is volunteer. They can have what I can do. if they need more then they can pay for it (either me or someone else) or do without it.

What was George Carlin's routine about "stuff"?

That's about how I feel these days.


Sam