Maptech Digital Charts

jon

jon

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I have posted in the wanted forum, I am looking for the Western Europe Maptech Charts: DVDRWE.
New or used, but preferably the last edition which may be 2006.
Any out there ? They are not easy to find in the UK.
 
There is a problem with Maptech charts. You can only get a code to install them three times, which means that even if you get a disc, you may not be able to install it. I have the Eastern Med disc, but cannot put it onto my new computer.
 
The problem is that the licence only allows three installs. and the key you get is different each time so you cannot just use the old one. If you buy the charts and they have already been installed on only one computer, just once, then you have two installs left, but if someone has reinstalled, as I did after moving to a new version of windows via a clean install then there is just one go left, and if the first owner had the charts on two computers the same applies, so with a second hand chart CD you must find out how many past installs have been made, three and its worthless. I have installed the Chart Navigator Software, but cannot install my charts on my new laptop, and Maptech will not assist.
 
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They should work on Memory-Map if you want to try that.
I have just heard from Maptech:

We are currently unable to ship that product.
A new version is in production as we have changed some of the chart sources...
I do not have an ETA for you at this time..

So we shall see!
 
Norman_E said:
The problem is that the licence only allows three installs. and the key you get is different each time so you cannot just use the old one. If you buy the charts and they have already been installed on only one computer, just once, then you have two installs left, but if someone has reinstalled, as I did after moving to a new version of windows via a clean install then there is just one go left, and if the first owner had the charts on two computers the same applies, so with a second hand chart CD you must find out how many past installs have been made, three and its worthless. I have installed the Chart Navigator Software, but cannot install my charts on my new laptop, and Maptech will not assist.
Click to expand...
It may be down to the age of my chart CD but I have installed on at least 3 PC's, a laptop and 3 PDA's over the years. In each case the License key was the same.
 
Norman_E said:
I have installed the Chart Navigator Software, but cannot install my charts on my new laptop, and Maptech will not assist.
Click to expand...

I have a similar problem, with the Western Europe charts as it happens. The DVD has previously been installed 3 times - once on the old boat laptop (now gone to computer heaven), once on the current boat laptop and once on the backup netbook. The problem is I have had to re-install Windows on the current laptop and Maptech are refusing to supply a new (4th) activation key, although it is for a machine on which the charts were previously legitimately installed.

Needless to say I am pretty unhappy with Maptech and won't be using their products in the future. Pity, though, as their BSB charts do work well on OpenCPN (and Memory Map).
 
Playtime said:
I have a similar problem, with the Western Europe charts as it happens. The DVD has previously been installed 3 times - once on the old boat laptop (now gone to computer heaven), once on the current boat laptop and once on the backup netbook. The problem is I have had to re-install Windows on the current laptop and Maptech are refusing to supply a new (4th) activation key, although it is for a machine on which the charts were previously legitimately installed.

Needless to say I am pretty unhappy with Maptech and won't be using their products in the future. Pity, though, as their BSB charts do work well on OpenCPN (and Memory Map).
Click to expand...
Something you can try if you have a working installation somewhere or an originally working installation that now doesn't...
Look in the directory/file (something like) Chartkit/Encryption/00003224/00003224.CET open it with notepad or similar.
One of the lines should read... _Machine_Key: <XXXXXXXXXX> the XXXXXXXXXX is the activation key.
When istalling the charts, use the option to activate without attaching to the internet and insert the above activation key.
This worked for me last time but no guarantees.
 
alahol2 said:
Something you can try if you have a working installation somewhere or an originally working installation that now doesn't...
Look in the directory/file (something like) Chartkit/Encryption/00003224/00003224.CET open it with notepad or similar.
One of the lines should read... _Machine_Key: <XXXXXXXXXX> the XXXXXXXXXX is the activation key.
When istalling the charts, use the option to activate without attaching to the internet and insert the above activation key.
This worked for me last time but no guarantees.
Click to expand...

I have tried that but it only works if you have the same Installation ID as the previous activation. On the same laptop but with a reloaded Windows (XP) I am getting a different Installation ID and so the previous Activation Code doesn't work.

What I really would like to know is where does the Installation ID come from and why does it change on reloading Windows? If I could discover that I might be able to fiddle it!
 
I don't know what the installation ID is.
The _Registration_Number: <xxx-...-xxx> is the Product ID that came with the original CD.
So far as I can recall that .CET file has had the same contents on all of my installations. I have never had to go back onto the Maptech site to re-install.
 
Playtime said:
Needless to say I am pretty unhappy with Maptech and won't be using their products in the future. Pity, though, as their BSB charts do work well on OpenCPN (and Memory Map).
Click to expand...
Is the licence key necessary for use with Memory-Map? If so have you tried the £15 or so 3rd party licence from MM? What year are the charts?
You probably know the ownership of Maptech Chart has changed:
Contact Jeff,
Technical Support Specialist
KPM Marine, LLC
d/b/a Maptech Navigation
www.maptechnavigation.com/support
Technical Support - 978.536-7709
Customer Service - 978.536-7000
Sales Only - 877.334.2628
 
alahol2 said:
I don't know what the installation ID is.
The _Registration_Number: <xxx-...-xxx> is the Product ID that came with the original CD.
So far as I can recall that .CET file has had the same contents on all of my installations. I have never had to go back onto the Maptech site to re-install.
Click to expand...

When you register the charts the registration software running on the target machine automatically generates an Installation ID (called Volume ID in the CET file) which appears to be machine and OS dependant, and can't be changed. You enter the Product ID (from the card delivered with the product) and Maptech then generates (via the web or over the phone) the Activation Code. The old CET entries will not work if either the machine or OS have changed (or so it appears).

The chart DVD in question is BSB4 format. Maybe the earlier BSB3 charts work as you suggest.

If anyone knows a way round this for BSB4 charts I would be delighted to hear it.
 
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jon said:
Is the licence key necessary for use with Memory-Map? If so have you tried the £15 or so 3rd party licence from MM? What year are the charts?
You probably know the ownership of Maptech Chart has changed:
Contact Jeff,
Technical Support Specialist
KPM Marine, LLC
d/b/a Maptech Navigation
www.maptechnavigation.com/support
Technical Support - 978.536-7709
Customer Service - 978.536-7000
Sales Only - 877.334.2628
Click to expand...

I think it is - i.e. the charts must have been previously installed using the Maptech Activation Code. This is certainly how it works with OpenCPN. The £15 3rd party licence grants you the right to use MM software to read the charts.

Although I have MM on my laptop I much prefer OpenCPN for planning and real time plotting.

I have been exchanging emails with Jeff, so far without success, hence my unhappiness with Maptech.
 
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jon said:
You probably know the ownership of Maptech Chart has changed:
Contact Jeff,
Technical Support Specialist
KPM Marine, LLC
d/b/a Maptech Navigation
www.maptechnavigation.com/support
Technical Support - 978.536-7709
Customer Service - 978.536-7000
Sales Only - 877.334.2628
Click to expand...

This was my final reply Jeff.

Hello.

You have a version that is not current...we are unable to unlock that disk any further.
If you would like a new disk.update that is available to you for 99.95 USD plus shipping.

We understand your comments, but again are unable to extend the license agreement any further.

We hope that you will consider an update.....

Jeff
Technical Support Specialist
KPM Marine, LLC
d/b/a Maptech Navigation
www.maptechnavigation.com/support
Technical Support - 978.536-7709
Customer Service - 978.536-7000
Sales Only - 877.334.2628

I shall not be using Maptech again. I think they have lost the plot regarding the latest price for digital charts.
 
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