Upgrading from 2.0 to 5.0

[wingspar]

I know this question has been asked a lot, but doing a search turns up nothing, and I can’t find anything on the Adobe site on this question. We have Elements 2.0 on two computers. One came with a printer, and one came with a Camera. We now want to upgrade to 5.0. If we purchase 5.0, will the CD work on both computers?

I run CS3 myself, and am familiar with the Adobe product license agreements, so no need to go there. The two computers are not located in the same building, and are never used at the same time.

Edit: One thing I forgot to mention. The Demo of Elements 5.0 is already installed on both computers if that makes any kind of difference.

[AngelicKim]

Hi Gary, yes you can run v5 on both computers but just not at the same time. You can alos keep v2 on them if you want, but again, you can't run them at the same time. You can however run v2 or v5 at the same time as CS3

[wingspar]

Well, what I’m wondering is, since PSE 2.0 and the Demo of 5.0 are on both computers, and if we buy the upgrade to 5.0, will we be able to just unlock the 5.0 Demo, or would we have to uninstall the 5.0 Demo before installing the upgrade? Am I making sense?

CS3 and Elements won’t even be on the same computer. I have CS3 on another computer. We have 3 computers between the two of us.

[AngelicKim]

Gary, if you are purchasing v5 from Adobe from the trial they will just send you the unlock serial number and you are set. I am not sure about if you purchase a CD. I think you can probably still just enter the serial number from the CD but I am not 100% sure. I know there were discussions on this before but I can't remember for sure if you can. And I can't seem to find the thread. Sorry I couldn't be more sure.

I forgot to say that the license for Elements allows you to run it on both computers with the same serial number. But like I said previously, you can't have them running on both computers at the same time.

[cats4jan]

But like I said previously, you can't have them running on both computers at the same time.


How in the heck can TPTB know if both computers are running the software at the same time?

The fact that somehow "they" know what you are doing on two different computers scares the heck out of me.

[AngelicKim]

Janice, I started to add that same thought to my post but I was afraid someone would come back and give me some long explanation that would make my head spin.:D My guess would be through an internet connection somehow if the software is registered.

[Rusty]

I would guess that if your two PCs are stand-alone (not on a home network), PSE would have no way at all knowing whether you had both of them powered up at the same time and both running PSE 5. Now, somebody that knows a lot more about 'puters will no doubt be along to explain why what I just said is wrong :)

One other, BTW, I do not like downloaded software. If at all possible, even if I have to spend a few dollars more, I want a physical CD in my grubby hands. There have been too many posts about, "How do I reinstall if I don't remember my password ... etc... etc..."

Rusty

[wingspar]

Gary, if you are purchasing v5 from Adobe from the trial they will just send you the unlock serial number and you are set. I am not sure about if you purchase a CD. I think you can probably still just enter the serial number from the CD but I am not 100% sure.

Both of us come from years of using Paint Shop Pro, which has become a very unstable program since Corel bought it from Jasc. I downloaded the Demo of CS3, and when I bought the CD, all I had to do was enter the serial number off the CD, and I was good to go. I’ve yet to open the CD, and I’m certain the same would apply to Elements. However, the difference here is that she would like to purchase the upgrade to elements, and that seems like it would be different, as I would think that if one purchases the upgrade for Elements, it would need to see that 2.0 is on the computer, and this is really an upgrade.

I’m also starting to think that serial numbers are serial numbers. An upgrade serial number would be no different that a new serial number. I’m starting to think that if the Demo is already on the computer, buying the upgrade CD, and inputting the serial number into the Demo would work just fine, since one is not installing it via an upgrade CD? Am I on the right track with these thoughts?

Actually, it’s only $20 more for the full version vs the upgrade, and in todays dollars, it’s no big deal, which really makes the upgrade not much of a bargain.

Janice, I started to add that same thought to my post but I was afraid someone would come back and give me some long explanation that would make my head spin.:D My guess would be through an internet connection somehow if the software is registered.

Probably true. It wouldn’t surprise me that when you open the program, the software sends out the info, but if you have a firewall package, you could just block Adobe from accessing the internet. In my case, I have my firewall set to alert me if Adobe is trying to access the internet, and it hasn’t yet. In our case, the two computers that will have Elements on them are over 100 miles apart, so not much of a chance of using both copies at the same time.

I would guess that if your two PCs are stand-alone (not on a home network), PSE would have no way at all knowing whether you had both of them powered up at the same time and both running PSE 5. Now, somebody that knows a lot more about 'puters will no doubt be along to explain why what I just said is wrong :)

One other, BTW, I do not like downloaded software. If at all possible, even if I have to spend a few dollars more, I want a physical CD in my grubby hands. There have been too many posts about, "How do I reinstall if I don't remember my password ... etc... etc..."

The two PC’s are stand alone, and not on a network. They are over 100 miles apart. :D

Actually, the majority of my software are downloads, and passwords, unlock codes, serial numbers and so on, are all recorded in email confirmation from downloads and in txt files I have filed in the same folder as the download, and all is backed up on an external hard drive. However, I decided I wanted the CD for CS3, and got one. I think my other half wants the CD for Elements, but that’s her choice. I’m totally comfortable with downloading software.

[AngelicKim]

Gary the upgrade is not actually an upgrade in that it adds to your existing program. It is a full version of the software. The "updrade" is acually only a discount in the price because he own a previous version.

[wingspar]

Gary the upgrade is not actually an upgrade in that it adds to your existing program. It is a full version of the software. The "updrade" is acually only a discount in the price because he own a previous version.

Correct, but normally an upgrade version needs to see the older legal version on the computer before it will install. Is that not the case here?

[Wendy]

Hi ...

The PSE5 "upgrade" isn't an upgrade to the software ... its just a cheaper price for people who already have Elements. :) You don't have to have the previous version installed ..

The situation with running Elements on more then one computer is to do with the licence. You can run it on one computer plus one laptop ... but only for the use of the same person ..

Wendy

[wingspar]

Well, she bought the upgrade online last night. The Demo of 5.0 would not take the serial number. She was given a link to download her upgrade, downloaded that, and it worked fine. Here is exactly what happened. She also had to uninstall the Demo of 5.0 first.

“It did not indicate that it was looking for a previous version because it was an upgrade, but that doesn't mean it didn't. It did it's usual message that "there is an earlier version on the computer, and you may or may not wish to unistall it before installing the new version, but you can only run one at a time". After that it went on to install and asked for the installation info (location to install the program, etc.), your personal information, serial number (which you can copy/paste) then went on to install the program. After that it brought up the registration screen for you to register the program”.

This may be info that could be made part of the FAQ section of this forum, as no one really seems to know this, and could save someone a lot of trouble and question asking in the future.

[Wendy]

Hi Gary ...

The issue with the demo is quite well known ... its supposed to take the serial number but most often doesn't. So you have to unistall it and then install the downloaded version :)

Wendy