Chief Architect Help Database - Article Number: 696
How to Find the Emergency Transfer Password
The information in this article applies to:- Home Designer Pro
- Chief Architect X5
- Chief Architect X4
- Chief Architect X3
- Chief Architect X2
I just installed Chief Architect on a second computer and tried to start the program, but a warning message tells me that the license is already in use and asks for my Emergency Transfer Password. What does all this mean?
- Although you can install Chief Architect on multiple computers, a single license of the program can only be active on one computer at a time.
If you need to run the program on more than one computer at a time, you will need to purchase additional program licenses. To learn more, visit http://www.chiefarchitect.com/products/.
- If you have Software Lock security, have been running the program on one computer, and wish to run it on a different computer, you must deactivate your license on the first machine.
For more information on running the program on multiple computers, see Help Database Article 956: How to install Chief Architect on multiple computers.
- If you have not deactivated your license on the other computer, you can use an Emergency License Transfer.
It is important to understand, though, that proper deactivation and Emergency Transfers are not identical, and that Emergency License Transfers should only be used in emergency situations, such as a hard drive failure, where you are unable to properly deactivate the license where it is in active use.
The correct way to switch from using Chief Architect on one computer to using it on a different computer is to deactivate the license on the first computer before launching the program on the second machine. This is very easy to do and takes only a moment, so long as you have an active internet connection.
To deactivate a Chief Architect license using Software Lock Security
- Launch the program on the computer where your license is active and select Help> Deactivate License from the menu.
- Click Yes to confirm that you wish to deactivate the license.
- After a pause, a second message will inform you that the license has been successfully deactivated.
Other aspects of the installation, such as custom library content, custom toolbars, and custom template plans, are unaffected and will be ready for use if you later reactivate the license on this computer.
With your license deactivated, you are now free to activate it on another machine by simply launching the program while connected to the internet.
Emergency Transfers
In some instances, such as if your computer crashes, you may not have the opportunity to properly deactivate your license. Should this occur, you can still launch Chief Architect on another machine by using your Emergency Transfer Password, provided that the new computer has Internet access.
Your Emergency Transfer Password is provided at the end of the program's Registration Wizard, on the "Completing the Chief Architect Secure Registration Wizard" page. Instructions on that page recommend that you save the password in a safe location for future use.
To do an Emergency License Transfer
- Launch Chief Architect on a computer with an active Internet connection where your license is not currently active.
- A warning message will display, telling you that the license is already active elsewhere and requesting your Emergency Transfer Password.
- Type in your Emergency Transfer Password and click OK.
As long there is an active Internet connection, the license will be deactivated on the old machine and become active on the current computer.
They are intended to be used in emergency situations only, and only three are provided with your Chief Architect license. If you use all three, no more will be provided until you contact Chief Architect Sales and purchase additional transfers.
If you are unable to locate your Registration Information paper, which has your Emergency Transfer Password on it, then you can contact the Chief Architect Customer Service team directly via telephone to obtain this information.
Customer Service can be reached at (208)292-3400 or at the toll-free number of (800)805-0374. Their hours of operation are 6:00AM-5:00PM Pacific Time, Monday-Friday.
Last updated on: Mar 13, 2013
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