Invalid Serial Number

from GalCiv2 Forums
I bought Galactic Civilizations II second hand. Installed the game and everything works fine, but I tried to update it and stardock tells me that my serial code is invalid. Is this cos it has already been registered with the previous owner or something else?

cheers in advance
4,012 views 10 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
If it's already in use, you'll get a message to the effect of "The email does not match our records".

If says it's invalid, you may have bought a bootleg/pirate copy (very likely if you got it on ebay--these are usually advertised as imported foreign editions), you may be mistyping it (it should be only numbers and lettters A-F), or it may be a Collector's Edition serial (beginning with GC2-) rather than an actual game serial.


Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Good guess with the ebay but the guy's based in the UK, and if it is a fake then he's done the best printing job I've ever seen on a fake game..

Re-checked my spelling of the code several times so I'll just contact the seller to see what he's up to, cheers for the advice.
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Reply #3 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I doubt the cd itself is a fake but once you have the serial you have the game regardless of cds. So the cds dont mean anything really with this game.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I do not know if there is a mechanism available for people to cancel their registration with Stardock?

If there is then you can ask the seller to please cancel his registration so you can then set yours up?
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I do not know if there is a mechanism available for people to cancel their registration with Stardock?
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There is not. However if it is a previously registered legitimate copy, the seller could hand over the account in its entirety.
Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That sucks if they can't play the game just because they bought it on ebay. I mean it's not their fault the serial number doesn't work.
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
That sucks if they can't play the game just because they bought it on ebay.
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The game is playable. Only updates require a legitimate, unused serial.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
There is not. However if it is a previously registered legitimate copy, the seller could hand over the account in its entirety.
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The sticking point would be their email, which is connected to their account? Can the seller simply contact stardock and change their email to that of the buyer?

That sucks if they can't play the game just because they bought it on ebay. I mean it's not their fault the serial number doesn't work.
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On ebay, the seller is responsible to inform the buyer of what they are buying. Stardock can say you have to sacrifice your first born child to change an account, so what! so long as the seller informs the buyer of this before selling, then all is fair.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The sticking point would be their email, which is connected to their account? Can the seller simply contact stardock and change their email to that of the buyer?
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You can change the email address on your account at any time via the My Account link at the top of the forum.
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You can change the email address on your account at any time via the My Account link at the top of the forum.
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That sounds like a solution to me!

OP, get the seller to give you his stardock account details... or he can change his details to suit you if he dousn't want you knowing his email etc etc and then you should be ok!