I am having the following problemo with Sharpener Pro. I install it, enter my key. Every time I try to use it in photoshop cs4 I get a screen which says the trial is over and buy a new copy etc. Nik says there might be duplicate files of the software on the computer. I searched and researched and deleted any thing Nik, Reinstalled enter key and get the same box telling me the trial is over buy a key.

I have talked to Nik but get the same response ie duplicate files?? I am at my wits end.

Any suggestions?

Operating system?

Computer?

PC Vista plenty memory and HD space

Originally Posted by Osprey PC Vista plenty memory and HD space

The problem is probably a Registry entry left over from your trial edition. Their installation routine for the paid version SHOULD have handled that, but it seems like it didn't. Some publishers expect you to uninstall the trial version, first. I don't know if Nik is one of them.

Sometimes, installing and then uninstalling the full version will also clear out the leftover crud from the trial version, and then installing it, again, will work. Sometimes reinstalling the trial version, and then uninstalling it before attempting to install the full version will work. That only works if the full version is already gone, though. So, uninstalling the full version is step one for any approach.

If you're comfortable with messing around in the Registry, you can try a seek-and-destroy mission, to eradicate any traces of any Nik products. That's assuming you only have one, and have uninstalled it during your troubleshooting. It's time-consuming, but can be effective. Unfortunately, it's not 100% effective.

You can also download one of the many tools available to clean up exactly this kind of mess. Just be sure to download from a reputable source, so you don't end up installing something really nasty on your machine. Again, none of these are 100% effective, either, and you may need to try several to find one that works on your specific problem.

And, anything that messes with the Registry could potentially harm the operation of your computer. But, none of these things should hurt it, as long as you don't go nuts in the Registry editor.