ooblecaboodle

Ham N Egz
Theres no time bomb in it, as long as you are running a stable release

Yes there is. Doesn't Sonar require online activation? It's been a while since I installed it, but I'm almost certain it does.

Only once,  it doesn't keep rechecking like some software does.
If you're worried about having to reinstall on a different machine for whatever reason then there's always the offline activation method.  Basically, download and keep an activation file.   Might be wise to do this now....

Karyn

ooblecaboodle

Ham N Egz
Theres no time bomb in it, as long as you are running a stable release

Yes there is. Doesn't Sonar require online activation? It's been a while since I installed it, but I'm almost certain it does.

Only once,  it doesn't keep rechecking like some software does.
If you're worried about having to reinstall on a different machine for whatever reason then there's always the offline activation method.  Basically, download and keep an activation file.   Might be wise to do this now....

right - but that "offline activation" is still a download from a server for you to transfer over to your offline machine.  you still have to get the authorization from a cakewalk server.  there's no completely offline authorization and if the authorization server goes away then no one will be able to reinstall on a new or repaired machine.

That's why I closed with...  "Might be wise to do this now".  ie, get offline activation and store on a memory stick for future use.

I have become so used to online verification that I wouldn't know where to start with trying to verify an install offline... Just looking at my account now... I can see a serial number, but how do I download an offline activation code?

I have no idea, I've never done it either.  I can see I'll be concentrating more on Studio One or Harrison as my Windoze machine is old now and all my other machines are macs.

what is the MD5 number

ah... I've found the Offline Activation page
 
https://www.cakewalk.com/My-Account/Offline-Activation
 
 
 

https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013384/Offline-Activation
 
 

MD5 is a check that the secret code you have is valid.

SONAR Platinum/Professional/Artist Offline Activation

Access to the Internet from another computer is necessary in order to download the SONAR installers and to transfer the activation files. SONAR Platinum and SONAR Professional users should note that Addictive Drums 2 can only be installed on a computer with an Internet connection.

1. Visit your Cakewalk account to download the SONAR installers and transfer them to your offline computer.
    
2. After installing SONAR, open the Help menu > Offline Activation > Export Activation Request to open the Save activation request dialog box.
   Note that this menu option will not be available after SONAR has been activated.
    
3. Select the folder to which you want to save the activation request, then click Save. This generates an activation request file with a .crq extension.
   Tip: save this file to a convenient location, like your Desktop or Documents folder, so it will be easy to find in the upcoming steps.
    
4. Copy the .crq file to an online computer (using a USB drive, for example).
    
5. Using an online computer, open the Activate section of your Cakewalk account. Sign in with your Cakewalk username and password if necessary.
    
6. Click the Select a File button to upload the .crq file.
    
7. Click the Submit button. Your browser will begin downloading the activation response file, which has a .dat extension.
   Internet Explorer users must also click Save for the file to download.
    
8. Transfer the .dat file to the offline computer. It will most likely be available in the online computer's Downloads folder.
    
9. Open SONAR's Help menu > Offline Activation > Import Activation Response to open the Import activation response dialog box.
    
10. Select the .dat file that you downloaded and click Open. A toast notification will let you know that SONAR is activated and ready to use.
    If activation fails, contact Cakewalk support.