Invalid Serial code?!?!

I just downloaded the newest patch, and after the installation, upon re-activation, I'm getting an "invalid serial code" error. What gives? Anyone else having this issue? HELP!!
20,404 views 46 replies
Reply #1 Top
I have also downloaded the newest patch (the X one) when I try and play GC2 it asks me to enter my email and serial product number. I do so, but when activate is clicked it gives "Error actvating the product". So I cross off the activation page and it says (in a new error) "An error has occured while activating the product". I have had to get a new seial number as I got the paradox one origonally but neither of them work, they both give the same error. They have been used before to activate GC2 on the website to get the new patch and collectors edition stuff so the should work. What should I do? I really wanted to finish off a game I had going too...
I have XP sp.2
nvidia 5500
1280Mb RAM
1.7 GHz P4 processor.
Reply #2 Top
Me too! It says exactly : "the product appears to be validated but the serial number or the machine SID don't match"
I don't know if this has been posted somewhere else (ill look) and im not sure if this is the same thing as you ccc but can we get help? SID is Stardock.net ID right?

I have Windows Xp family edition Sp2
Amd Athlon 64 Processor 3400+ (2.19 GHz)
1.00 GB of Ram
Nvidia Geforce 6200 SE TurboCache with the latest drivers (just DLed now)
Reply #3 Top
I know that the problem with the SID usually and reiterate usually happens if you download the game in one machine and then you paste the game into another machine.
Reply #4 Top
know that the problem with the SID usually and reiterate usually happens if you download the game in one machine and then you paste the game into another machine.


Which I didn't do... any help?
Reply #5 Top
Unfortunately I can only reiterate your problem.

I purchased a copy in Europe, received the paradox collectors edition today, eventually noticed the link to generate a new serial number (make it bigger please!) which was successfully emailed to me.

I proceeded to use this number to download the patches and collector edition extras.

I installed the patches and tried to activate with no success, I received an invalid registration error.
I spent another hour or so searching the forums, uninstalling/reinstalling , trying to use the paradox code, the new code etc to no avail.

I downloaded stardock central and tried to use this to register the game. I received the following error:
"the email address you have entered does not match our records. please try again"

So although the serial number was mailed to me on the email address I was using and was used successfully to access the collector content it looks like it has not been associated with this email address in the stardock records.

I sighed and sent in an email activation request. I wonder what my chances are without entering into a long email support saga?


XP professional SP1 for what it's worth.

Reply #6 Top
I get a problem with serial. Register validate with a SID machine different.

- i rename sig.bin to sig.old
- restart the game and i get a dialog box with a email and serial field empty.
- put your email and the serial number receive from stardock.
- click activate!

have fun! Great games
Cronus
Reply #7 Top
I'll ask our IT guys to look at this.  Stay tuned!
Reply #8 Top
Need... to .... play!!! ..... Just... one more... turn.... plz....
Reply #9 Top

Ok, the problem has been corrected.  A bug was introduced when doing an update to our database system. 

Anyway, to get everyone back on track, in Stardock Central, right click on Galactic Civilizations II and choose the option to "Activation Application (w/logging)".  That should activate your serial number and all should be well in the universe.  If that menu option does not show up then GCII is already activated and no further action should be required.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Reply #10 Top


Ok, the problem has been corrected. A bug was introduced when doing an update to our database system.

Anyway, to get everyone back on track, in Stardock Central, right click on Galactic Civilizations II and choose the option to "Activation Application (w/logging)". That should activate your serial number and all should be well in the universe. If that menu option does not show up then GCII is already activated and no further action should be required.

Sorry for the inconvenience.


I do not use Stardock Central. That is why I purchased a retail copy. How do I get this working again?

Reply #11 Top
true, I'm still having issues as well. I even tried to download SD central to no avail. HELP!!! I'm strting to go through withdraw...*ack*
Reply #12 Top

I do not use Stardock Central. That is why I purchased a retail copy. How do I get this working again?


Ditto here too!

Reply #13 Top
Merge me baby! Merge me!
Reply #14 Top
in Stardock Central, right click on Galactic Civilizations II and choose the option to "Activation Application (w/logging)"


I can't find that option by right clicking or at all....
Reply #15 Top
My error has now changed.

using the stardock "Activation Application (w/logging)" option I now get error 5 you have projects registered under different email addresses. get your accounts merged.

Of course the two email addresses listed are, to my eye, exactly the same....

please merge the two accounts.
Reply #16 Top
Ive got the exact same problem
Reply #18 Top
Any update on this?

Two days now and no final resolution.

It would be nice to play this sucker before the weekend comes and goes.
Reply #19 Top
Plz at least tell us if you'r working on it. By the way I reverted back to 1.0X.009 and the game works just fine. If I go back to 1.0X.010 the same error appears : "the product appears to be validated but the serial number or the machine SID don't match"
Reply #20 Top

Tomalak, ccc2501, Fordson, ardvaark, Grahamofboro...I have tested all your accounts with the serial number and email address you have in our system and everything worked properly.  If you are still having problems trying to activate please send an email to me ([email protected]) and include your email address and serial number that you are using to attempt to activate.  Also let me know if you are activating via Stardock Central or if you are activating when trying to run the game. And please include the exact error message you are receiving.

unreal_ed - I do not have any registration information for you yet so please send me an email with your email address and serial number.

Reply #22 Top
I reinstalled windows (c drive) now the game (g drive) gives me the product appears to be validated but the serial number or the machine SID don't match. How do I get the game running again?
Reply #23 Top
T-Man, I did not use Stardock Central. After the patch was updated on the eighth (I saw a post in another thread stating this...you could not tell it from the download screen), I re-patched and it did not ask for the activation codes. Thanks for following up on this.
Reply #24 Top
unreal_ed - I do not have any registration information for you yet so please send me an email with your email address and serial number.


What's your e-mail address? where should I send it? For now I'll send the info to [email protected] . If it's something else plz post the address here.
Reply #25 Top
I am getting the error where it says "the product appears to be validated but the serial number or the machine SID don't match, so i figured i copied the serial number over wrong and hit the button marked "lookup serial #" in stardock central, which sent a copy of my serial number to my email address. I've done this twice now. So now i have 3 emails from stardock central... that all have different serial numbers in them. And i still get the error. Do i use the latest serial number i received? Do i use the first? Do i eat a bullet?