I've got to get in line with SOL. I love this sight but this is the second time I've had a problem with activation of two completely different types of software. After years of working with computers and passing an computer tech training course I really think I'm up to the task of following installation instructions. For those of you who installed this program with no trouble, good for you. But please do not insult the intelligence of the rest of us just because you got lucky. And believe me, you just got lucky. The fact that this thing worked for you does not prove you are geniuses when it comes to program installation. You may be geniuses but this does not prove it. Don't be so smug. You're no brighter than the rest of us.

For all you folks who were able to activate the program with no problems, congratulations. But you don't need to be a smart a$$ about it. For some of us who followed the install procedure the activation process wouldn't work. It could have been something with our system configuration?!?!?! The point is, don't accuse people of not following directions when it might be possible they did.

I installed this program and it said it was activated. However, I didn't do much with it until today. Now, I am being told that it is an evaluation!!! I usually don't have any problems with activating the software from this site. What should I do?!?!?!?!

what is everybody talking about? this is the best notating program ever. maybe it's that you didn't activate it before installing it.

I had similar issues. I downloaded it installed it ran it like I was suppose to had the issue, got the new file ran it installed it etc everything seemed fine opened it today to use it *work kept me from looking at it sooner* sure enough trial version error.

Thumbs up #75 I couldn't have said it better.

I also have had "trial version will run out 30 days". I have downloaded many times from the free giveaways, and yes I follow the intructions to install correctly. This has happened on a couple of occasions before. I also usually like to install and OPEN the freebies for the first time while still on line, thinking this will ensure it has installed without a hitch. BUT not the case with MAGICSCHOOL5. Thanks anyway.

I followed the readme.txt to the letter. Then tried the recommended solution in #74 which failed to register the program. What are the chances of GAOTD offering this one more time within the next couple of days with the registration glitch fixed?

That registry I left in #74 entry will only complete the partial activation IF the regitered user name Automatically says "Giveawayoftheday", demonstrating the original Activate.exe had successfully added that particular key. If it does not show "Giveawayoftheday" then it was either cleaned via a system restore or some other tool OR Activate.exe was not run as instructed.

I used REGEDIT4 header as opposed to the Registry Editor 5.00 etc that NT core windows regedit defaults to because it works on both Win9x systems AND NT core systems like Win2K/XP and Vista.

I could post the other registry key but that would then permit anyone to install it and activate it on any day which would break GAOTD business model so I won't be posting that unless GAOTD staff requests me to.

No actually.. I write music with Finale Notepad.

Check your facts.

Ihave followed the instructions given by TK(n°74) but it still says "unregistered - 29 days left"
Help!

If you have the "unregistered" software still loaded on your machines, the fix by TD and BuBBy will work past the 24 hours. DO NOT Try to install the software again because indeed it must be installed in the first 24 hours.

AiR, Please check your numbers are correct. (I created and entered the value by hand.)

Thanks TD,

If you take a look in the forums, BuBBy came up with the same (similar) solution and posted it there.

AiR - I don't know if this means anything but the 2 solutions posted both talk about using Regedit4. I have XP PRO and I DO NOT have REGEDIT4, so I used the plain old Regedit.

Sorry, but I can't activate it. Always status: Unregistered, Even after importing data from the post before.

I've downloaded many of the giveaway programs before, I definitely know the procedure for extracting, activating and setting up, and I generally, as I did in this case, check the "readme.txt" file just in case the procedure might vary from the norm; this one did not.

However, I get the a window that shows buttons for "Buy Now" and "Trial" with a green check by it, along with a "Registration" link. Plus, under the Help/About it shows "Licensed to Unregistered".

On another try, I even put the zipped folder after download into the C:\Windows\System file, but with no luck after, again, extracting, activating, setting up, etc. And, even though it successfully activated that time as well, I got the same results.

When I set up the program the first time, I overwrote the file that the older MagicScore program was in...and that one worked and was registered. Kind of angers the hell out of me, you know.

I am against those who complain about the quality and/or type of programs that are given away here...as they are free, but when one decides to do the download and expects what is promised about fully functional programs without trials, and spends time backtracking and trying different things to get the thing to work, it kinda ticks me off!...especially after losing the fully functional program by the same folder name that was offered earlier by Giveaway. Kind of makes me wonder if that was the intent...to have the functional older version written over with a newer version that has a time limit. Of course, I suppose not everybody would have overwritten the existing MagicScore folder if they had it, but I bet a good many did.

In any event, I expect this registration issue to be addressed even though the day of this Magic-ScoreSchool-5 giveaway has ended.

Thank You!

This software registration sucks! Waste of time to install.

I have installed numerous GOTD programs on at least 6 different PC's over the last few weeks and except for a few minor variations, they all install the same basic way, without much trouble. This one I have tried over and over to get going, to no avail! THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM HERE.

I appreciate free software but I now have HOURS invested in this one and it doesn't feel like a bargain anymore. (I'm down to about 42 minutes before it's off your site.)

So I set my clock 31 days ahead, and the program won't open. It says it's registered to giveawayoftheday.com but needs a serial number.

Can you please post the serial we need to enter? I really would like to try this program, but don't want to get hooked on it and not be able to use it.

Thanks,
Will

I downloaded it the other morning before it got changed, and I had NO problems activating it, or installing it. Though I understand that to some people, there maybe other programs that they feel are 'better', I feel that THIS PROGRAM ROCKS! Thanks GOTD!

Ok, folks, if you like music, you gotta check this out ->

MidiJam: http://www.gamesbyscott.com/midijam.htm

Shows the actual instruments (100+ and growing) actually being played in real time on a stage and you control the "camera", close up, overhead, pan, etc. All (almost all) instruments shown with highlighting of actual notes played, i.e., the specific string and fret on guitars, with the string vibrating, the correct keys on piano are played, every kind of drum, like that. See the screen shots on page referenced above. Just instruments, no people except hands on bongos and singers up to a full choir shown behind the stage when voices are part of the music. Comes loaded with a bunch of midi songs - pop to classic. And/or you can import midis, or write your own song in today's download, MagicScore, and watch it played in MidiJam.

Totally free. In active development, adding more instruments. Kind of a resource hog, but you're watching a whole freakin' orchestra playing, if you're playing Vivaldi for example. Very cool. Fun. Check it out.

I can confirm what franck #52 is seeing. After thinking I will try once again to install, I tried the following...
Installed on drive D:
Install on drive C:
Uninstall on drive C:
Only then was I able to run the version on drive D: and not get the 30 day trial message in the blue title bar. Before giving the program a chance to phone home, I click registration and Giveawayoftheday was in the "Registered to", but the SN was blank. Once the program connected to the internet, it flipped back to the 30 day trial and the registered to was now unregistered.

I've rec'd the same results on two pcs both running XP

I had the opposite problem from #52: after much trouble I finally got the program to say that it was registered, and then I *allowed* it to call home, only to find it revert to the trial version. Now I have tried it both ways (allow and block), and I think the problem is more subtle than whether you allow or block the program from calling home.

I have not had this many problems with other GAOTD activations. I am usually in the camp that believes that 99% of activation problems come from people not reading the instructions.

I downloaded it again, and it has been registered this time.

(don't know why it doesn't work for anyone...)

Downloaded from the mirror site with no problems. Activated easily. Installed flawlessly.
But...
1. The program still says "30 day trial"
2. Of the 10 lessons, only the first two will load and play unless you buy one of the two expensive programs.
3. Not a single feature that is listed in the ad above will function unless you buy one of the two expensive programs.

On a ten point scale...
Truth in advertising... -5
Functionality.......... 1
Ease of use............ 2
User manual (none)..... 0

Overall rating......... 0

This is not up to GOTD standards, and I would strongly recommend against wasting time an computer space to download it.

ATTENTION GAOTD and DG Software

I loaded on an "American" language XP Pro machine - no problem!

I then TRIED to Load on a Swedish language (install in English) XP Home machine - BIG PROBLEM Like everyone else that is not able to register, this program will not register and I think I tried Everything. Downloaded from main site, Downloaded from Mirror, Tried Activate, Setup. Then tried Activate, Setup, Activate then tried ...

Well you get the idea. Date/time are correct and used ADMIN accounts.

Little less than 9 hours left to go.

Thanks for program, this is what I wanted before buying a guitar.

Counter-intuitive interface. Horribly illiterate. Broken English everywhere. My brand-new "professional-looking" score has the voices labeled soprano, alto, tenor and BRASS. If you want free annotation software, go download Finale Notepad instead. MagicScore is an amateurish turkey.

I am using Windows XP and I downloaded the program without any difficulty. I then extracted the files and ran the activate program - again without any problems. I then ran the setup program and installed perfectly. I now have a fully functioning program without any restrictions.

It appears to work well and is relatively easy to use for a complex subject.

There may be free versions elsewhere but as this one is free today, if you want it and can get it to install you will be pleased with it.

Thanks GAOTD I have three very musically talented children who will love this program!

Ditto as with others here.

Ran Activate.exe

GOTD activation page said 'Activated'.

Ran Setup.exe

Restarted PC.

Opened application.

Help > About > = "Unregistered".

Cursor seemed to glitch on keyboard when mouse over.
When accessing time signature dialog got error dialog; "Index not found" which could not be closed. Application hung. Each time when attempting to close error dialog it multiplied itself in cascading windows. Had to close application via task manager.

Upon restarting the app it came up as 30 day trial with majority of features and menu items grayed out, keyboard showing, no toolbar at bottom, couldn't access anything. Close button on titlebar worked.

Uninstalled and restored PC to previous state.

For an application rated/stated to be at version 5.x this is totally unacceptable behavior. Very big disappointment personally because I missed the previous opportunity and have wanted to try this music composition software. I hope the developers resolve the issues, but at this point I wouldn't recommend this software at all. Major thumbs down vote.

It is NOT fixed Slava. It still reamains Unregistered with 30 days. :(

Have tried everything that has been mentioned in all the comments as well as some creative ideas of my own and the program still won't register. I'm not a computer professional, but I'm no slouch either and I do understand how to use non standard ways to get around most computer issues and still can't get this to work. :-( I would have liked to have been able to use this software.......sad.....

The activation link is not working, it does not activate Magic Score and I followed the instructions Unzip, Activate.exe, then Setup. To no avail it doesn't work and keeps teeling me that I only have a 30 day trial

I really like this program. It adds a bit more features to the previous GAOTD package Magicscore School.
I used that one and it's great since I like changing Midi files into Music Score Sheets.

#16 You don't need to activate the registration first. You can activate it after the set up too.

I like this program. I will take my daighters piano lesson music and convert it to midi so if she has a problem with a certain song she can go right to the saved song on the keyboard to see how it suppose to sound. My keyboard has a memory card slot for midi files. She would enjoy this alot more than me coming in to show her everytime. LIKE #8 said about creating the duet parts, her lessons also have duet/teacher parts which she loves to play to, but I don't always have a chance to do this, I'm going to try this too. so far everything I've checked out of the software seems really great. Thanks again!

I too am having registration problems (running Vist x64) -- and usually I NEVER do. Uninstalling it until this gets resolved.

Can't say anything about the prog. I had the same activation pbs as many encountered.
I had the message "delay expired" and sometimes, I had the "succesfully activated" windows, but the program remained a 30-day trial version.

Once, I launched it, and it said it was registered. Licensed to giveawayoftheday in the about box and no 30-day count on the blue title bar. But within seconds, the program tried to call home. As I saw to acceptable reason for such a behavior, I blocked it through my firewall.
As soon MagicScore failed to contact home, it returned to trial version.

Without exiting and relaunching the program, the 30-day count appeared in the title bar and the about box no longer mentioned the giveawayoftheday.

After that, it was impossible to have it activated again.

Anyway, it's not acceptable that this soft needs to go to the internet to validate the giveawayoftheday activation without even warning us.

I downloaded and activated no problem, don't know what the hoopla is all about as I had zero problems.

Activated alright, installed OK, but says Registered to: unregistered.
Another dud. Note: after the Activate ran, NO new reg entries added.

must say i like this program, i used it often in school thankx gotd!

Still unable to get this program resistered.
Tried downloading from both sites and neither
one would register the product.
Something crazy going on here.
Not once have I had any problem registering
any program I have downloaded from here before.
Yes, I did clear out the registery after each install.

not exactly the best free giveaway (for me atleast) but hey.. if ya like that sort of thing... i suppose

Downloaded and installed this software 3 times and still only getting the 30 day trial version. Such a shame because I really wanted this one.

# 43 - I had the same problem when I downloaded a similar program. Google GDIPLUS.DLL and you'll find sources to download the file. After downloading the file, move it to your C:\Windows\System file (You can find this file by looking in MyComputer, C Drive). This will fix your problem.

Hello all!

What a day for things. I'm in the middle of moving to a new host and can't get my posting mechanism up and then GaotD having activation issues. I just tested on another system here and it is indeed still having issues. I am wondering GaotD if you just updated the files at the hosts themselves; Some (Most) ISPs use cache servers for a lot of files and may be causing issues for some that they are not getting the updated file; Might work if you change the filename/etc. I tried this on a separate computer to make sure it wasn't the computer cache causing issues to no avail.

With that said; Until I get my site fixed (It is up, just having other issues with it) today won't be a review unless I can get it done later. HOWEVER, since I have reviewed this application previously and the only major revision I have found was for Windows Vista compatibility, you can check out my previous review. It is a little on the short side, but it'll give you an idea (This was for Version 5.11)

http://www.bladedthoth.com/news/2007/04/14/15mr-magicscore-school-v5-110-quick/

Downloaded and extracted fine, but I, too, got the same message as #34: GDIPLUS.DLL was unavailable. Got that same message for the last music program offered here & had to uninstall that one. Any help, please, as to where/how to get that missing DLL ?? I'm running Windows 98SE. Thanks for any help, and thanks to GAOTD for your continuing efforts. I look forward to checking this site every morning before heading off to work!

Ditto for me. I've tried it 4 times and have even cleaned the registry to remove any remnants of previous installs. Mine still says unregistered even after downloading the new file.

Now registered.
I have downloaded from Mirror Link#1.
The downloaded file was Magic-ScoreSchool-5.zip
(the first was MagicScoreSchool-5.zip).
Now it says: Licensed to: GiveAwayoftheDay

I have downloaded 3 times from both side, and I try from 2 different computer and I still can activated the program.
What happen?? What wrong??