eLicense FAQ

  1. What is eLicense?
  2. How do I buy a product?
  3. How do I get my free trial?
  4. I'm already a registered user of a previous version.  How do I use the new version?
  5. I don't remember my registration code.  Where do I find it?
  6. Can I use my registration code for older versions of zMUD?
  7. How to I return the product if I don't like it?
  8. How many computers can I use the product on?
  9. Can I play on more than one computer at the same time?
  10. How do I UnLicense the product?
  11. Do I have to UnLicense before reinstalling Windows or reformatting my hard disk?
  12. What happens if I reinstall Windows or reformat without UnLicensing?
  13. It says "My License has Expired."  What do I do?
  14. Do I have to pay anything for future upgrades?
  15. Does it contact any remote server every time I run it?
  16. I am getting a "Code -10" error.
  17. I am getting a "Code -17" error.
  18. I am getting a "Code 23" error.
  19. It just hangs when I try to get my license or buy it.
  20. How do I Uninstall eLicense?
  21. How is my privacy being protected?
  22. Where can I find out more about eLicense?

What is eLicense?

eLicense is a copy protection and e-commerce solution provided by Via Tech, Inc.  The eLicense software "wraps around" Zugg Software products and protects them.  It provides a mechanism for a 30-day free trial, a built-in Purchase option (for credit card users), and sophisticated encryption and protection designed to prevent people from using the product for free after the 30-day trial period.

The License Agreement that comes with the product explains more details about the eLicense terms and conditions.  This License Agreement is displayed the first time you run the software, and is also available in the LICENSE.RTF file stored with the software.  Be sure to read this agreement to understand the terms of using the software.

For more information on eLicense, see their own support site at: http://www.elicense.com/UserSupport

How do I buy a product?

To purchase the software using a credit card, simply click the "Buy NOW" button on the initial trial screen and follow the instructions.  You will need to have your Internet connection working.  eLicense uses 128-bit RSA encryption to protect your credit card information as it moves over the Internet.  

If you are behind a proxy server or firewall, click the Proxy button in the purchase screen and enter the information about your proxy.

How do I get my free trial?

To use the software free for 30-days, simply click the "Free Trial" button that is displayed on the initial trial screen.  Your 30 day trial begins the first time you install the product.  If the Free Trial button is not visible, then your trial has expired.

New versions of the software will not reset this trial.  Once your trial has expired, the only way to run it is to purchase it.  You can still get a refund within 30-days of buying the program if you don't like it.

I'm already a registered user of a previous version.  How do I use the new version?

You will need your registration code from the previous version.  This registration code looks like a credit card number: xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx, or has the form VT-xxxxxxxxxxxx.  Click the "License" button on the initial trial screen when you run the program.  Enter this registration number, including the hyphens, into the "Order ID" field.  It is best to copy and paste this reg code into the Order ID field to avoid making typos.  Make sure you are connected to the Internet and then click the Get License button.

If you have trouble contacting the server, first check to make sure you have entered the correct registration code.  If you are behind a proxy server or firewall, click the Proxy Settings button and enter your proxy information.

I don't remember my registration code.  Where do I find it?

If you have already purchased or licensed the software, you will rarely need to re-enter your registration code.  But if you need it, go to the eLicense Control Panel (on NT and Windows 2000, this is located in the My Computer area to allow users without admin rights to access it) and select Zugg Software, then right-click on the product icon (either zMUD or AC Explorer) and select Product Receipt.

Our policy regarding lost registration codes has changed.  Due to abuse of our previous policy, we can no longer send you your lost registration code.  You are prompted to save or print your registration code when you receive it via email, so be sure to take steps to ensure that you keep this registration code since you will need it to install future versions.

Can I use my registration code for older versions of zMUD?

Unfortunately, No.  eLicense is not compatible with older versions of zMUD.  While old registration codes can be entered into eLicense as valid Order IDs, new Order IDs generated by eLicense are not valid registration codes for older versions of zMUD.  Older versions of zMUD are not supported, so you really should just upgrade to the latest version.  Your old files and scripts will work in the new version and it can be configured to work just like you want it to.

For AC Explorer, your registration code will work in all versions since all versions use eLicense.

How to I return the product if I don't like it?

If you decided you do not like the software for whatever reason, you can get a full refund within 30-days of purchase.  Simply go to your eLicense Control Panel (on NT and Windows 2000, this is located in the My Computer area to allow users without admin rights to access it), double-click the "Zugg Software" icon, then right-click on the software file (either zMUD or AC Explorer) and select "Return Product" from the menu.  This will remove the license from your system and generate a file called "RETURN.TXT" which you can then email to refunds@zuggsoft.com to verify that you have unlicensed zMUD to get your refund.

If you did not purchase the product using a credit card, first, Unlicense zMUD on your system as described below.  Then, send your Order ID (registration code) to refunds@zuggsoft.com.  A refund will only be processed if you have unlicenses all of your copies of the software.  

Refunds are only available within 30 days of purchase.

How many computers can I use the product on?

You are granted three licenses for the software.  This means you can use it on three different computers.  Once you have used your three licenses, you can also Unlicense the software from one of your computers, and then re-license it on a different computer.

Can I play on more than one computer at the same time?

Yes, you can use the software on all three computers that you are licensed for at the same time.

How do I UnLicense the product?

To remove a license for the software from your computer, go to the eLicense Control Panel (on NT and Windows 2000, this is located in the My Computer area to allow users without admin rights to access it) and select Zugg Software, then right-click on the product icon (either zMUD or AC Explorer) and select Unlicense. When the software is unlicensed, you will see the initial trial screen the next time you run it.  If it has been more than 30 days since you first ran it, you will not see a trial button.

You can also Unlicense by right-clicking on the software application file (ZMUD.EXE or ACXPLORER.EXE) and select Unlicense from the eLicense Control menu.

Do I have to UnLicense before reinstalling Windows or reformatting my hard disk?

YES!  This is very important.  Installing a new version of Windows or reformatting your hard disk will destroy the eLicense database and cause the software to stop working.  Any license you were using will be lost.  However, licenses are set up to auto-renew after 90 days.  So, if you lose a license, it is not lost forever.

Try to remember to Unlicense before installing Windows or reformatting your hard disk.  Try to think of this just like making backups of your important data.  After you Unlicense the software, then go ahead with your system changes.  When your system changes are done, you can then relicense the software by clicking the License button and entering your Order ID (registration code) and clicking the Get License button.  Remember to write down your Order ID before reformatting your system.

What happens if I reinstall Windows or reformat without UnLicensing?

You will temporarily lose the license that was assigned to that computer.  Since you have a total of three licenses, this will not usually be a problem.  Also, licenses will automatically expire and renew after 90 days.  So, 90 days after you have lost a license, it will be available to use again.

Zugg Software is not responsible for lost or stolen licenses.  We have implemented the 90-day auto-renew option as a courtesy because we understand that sometimes system problems require reformatting or reinstalling without prior notice.  Try to remember to Unlicense the software before reinstalling Windows or reformatting your disk.

It says "My License has Expired."  What do I do?

Software licenses are set up to automatically expire in 90-days.  This feature prevents lost licenses from remaining lost forever.  However, it also means that you will be prompted to re-enter your Order ID every 90 days.  Don't worry, though, your Order ID is automatically filled in by eLicense, so you don't have to remember it.

When your license expires, simply click the License button, then the Get License button.  Make sure your connection to the Internet is active so that it can query the remote server and reactivate your license.  If you are behind a proxy server or firewall, be sure to click the Proxy button and enter your proxy information there.

Do I have to pay anything for future upgrades?

No! All future upgrades are free!  I don't believe it's right for software companies to charge so much for upgrades and bug fixes.  In the case of zMUD, there have been over 100 new versions since it was released in 1995, all free of charge.  These were not simply bug fix versions.  Major features like the Automapper and Database module have been added to new versions of zMUD, free of charge for existing customers.

The downside of free upgrades is that only the latest version of the software is supported.  Since upgrades are free, you are highly encouraged to update the product and keep current.  After all, you've already paid for the new features and you are the one missing out if you aren't using them.

Does it contact a remote server every time I run it?

No.  Old versions of zMUD had a different form of copy protection that contacted a remote server on the Internet every time you ran zMUD.  The new version of zMUD no longer does this.  The software only contacts a remote server when you purchase it (to send your credit card order to the bank), when you Unlicense or Relicense it (to update the status of your license in the remote database), or when you Return it (to send the refund to your bank).

However, the software does contact the www.zuggsoft.com server when you first run it to determine if a new version is available.  If a newer version is found, the software will prompt you to upgrade.  No information is sent to zuggsoft.com.  Only a new version number is returned from the server.  You can turn this feature off in the Preferences or Options window in the software.

I am getting a "Code -10" error

This means you are behind a proxy server or firewall and have not entered the correct information into eLicense.  Click the Proxy button and enter the host name and port of your proxy server.  eLicense uses HTTPS to communicate with the remote registration server.  If you don't know your proxy information, contact your Network Administrator.

I am getting a "Code -17" error

This means that you have installed the software 3 times already, either on 3 different computers or 3 times on the same computer.  You need to Unlicense the software to free up one of your 3 licenses, or wait until one of your licenses auto-expires 90 days after it was installed.  You can also email your registration code to support@zuggsoft.com and we can try to reset it remotely, although we can't do this in all cases.

I am getting a "Code 23" error

This problem occurred in older versions of AC Explorer.  You need to first contact eLicense at support@elicense.com and ask them to send you their diagnostic program to fix a code 23 error.  Then, run the program they sent you to clear the error.  Then upgrade to the latest version of AC Explorer to prevent this from happening again.

It just hangs when I try to get my license or buy it

This means you are behind a proxy server or firewall.  Click the Proxy button and enter the host name and port of your proxy server.  eLicense uses HTTPS to communicate with the remote registration server.  If you don't know your proxy information, contact your Network Administrator.

How do I Uninstall eLicense?

If you have decided to remove the software from your system, you can then uninstall the eLicense Control Panel by downloading the eLicense Uninstaller and running it.  Follow the instructions given in the uninstaller for more information.  Be sure to understand that uninstalling eLicense will cause the software to stop working, and may cause you to lose licenses if you have not Unlicensed it first.  Also, if any other software on your computer uses eLicense, it will stop working also.  So, unless you are having a system conflict with eLicense, you shouldn't mess with it.

How is my privacy being protected?

Zugg Software is very concerned about protecting your privacy and personal information.  We have a full Privacy Statement online for you to read.

Where can I find out more about eLicense?

Visit the eLicense web site at www.elicense.com or send email to support@elicense.com.   Also, see the eLicense Support page at: http://www.elicense.com/UserSupport

Page last modified on March 25, 2004