|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10 |
I am attempting to transfer my existing BIAB 2018 to a new PC and am running afoul of activation and licensing. The prompt box says to use menu-Help, Activation. This activation feature is itself not activated (!!!) and I'm unable to find any way to get this relatively simple task accomplished. Trying the live chat help for PG Music is useless since they're apparently too busy to respond.
I have released the license, restored it, tried all of the multiple Activation buttons, poked around in FAQs here and at PG Music and tried every available button or option. I'd appreciate any suggestions and thanks.
***********************
"We know what we are, but not what we may be"
- Noted bluesman Blind Will Shakespeare
***********************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673 |
Hi,
You should first install the latest 2018 build.
To activate on a different PC you just need to go to Help | Activate (Not "restore", that is for re-activating a license on the same PC). If not working, what is the reason given / error message?
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10 |
I transferred all BIAB files last night from my old PC. In attempting to test BIAB, I get a prompt box stating
"Some features are disabled. Menu-Help-Activation to activate Program is not activated. Reason is: You can only use this copy of the program on one computer. If you want to use the program on a new computer, choose Menu Help Activation or Menu-Help=Restore".
So I read this as I'm being told to do something that the same prompt box said was not even activated. A search of the topics and index of the "help" doesn't even turn up any hits on the word "Restore" either, so I would appreciate a little help in what should have been a simple task and thank you.
***********************
"We know what we are, but not what we may be"
- Noted bluesman Blind Will Shakespeare
***********************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673 |
It sounds like you also copied the activated license 'ticket' files from your old PC. To fix this problem, (on your new PC) go to C:\Users\Public\Ticket and delete the bb*.ticket and bb*.bin files. Do that with Band-in-a-Box closed, and when you next launch it you should be able to activate.
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10 |
I have downloaded and installed BIAB as suggested above. I got what build was available from my account Downloads section, ran the .exe file and am still getting the same issues.
Anyone? Thanks.
***********************
"We know what we are, but not what we may be"
- Noted bluesman Blind Will Shakespeare
***********************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673 |
Did you follow the instructions in my last post?
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 10 |
Thank you, Andrew, your advice worked perfectly. Tell your boss I said you are underpaid.
Cheers,
Ed
***********************
"We know what we are, but not what we may be"
- Noted bluesman Blind Will Shakespeare
***********************
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,624
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,624 |
It sounds like you also copied the activated license 'ticket' files from your old PC. To fix this problem, (on your new PC) go to C:\Users\Public\Ticket and delete the bb*.ticket and bb*.bin files. Do that with Band-in-a-Box closed, and when you next launch it you should be able to activate. Hmm, I may have to do something on my setup for this. At present I'm building a lot of songs on my desktop PC, because I have a comgortable place to use it and two screens. The PC I'll use when I'm playing will be a small notepad ... it's about 12" diagonal wide-screen, so not really convenient for the job of building songs. The obvious first issue is that I was under the impression I could install and use on multiple PCs, but your post suggests I'm mistake, unless I can flip back-and-forth with that restore. If that's the case, I presume I must remember to release the license on the desktop PC and reactivate the notepad, before I go to a session or I'll be stuck with no license on the notepad. Help->Utilities in the manual refers to: "Special Options for Activation/De-Activation" but that isn't present on my Desktop. I thought I'd activated the notepad, but I appear mistaken. The other issue appears trivial ... I plan to keep both PCs synchronised and obviously I need to exclude the license .bin and .Ticket files ... I presume licenses are fingerprinted to the particular PC.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673 |
Help->Utilities in the manual refers to: "Special Options for Activation/De-Activation" but that isn't present on my Desktop. I thought I'd activated the notepad, but I appear mistaken. The manual may need updating, since the system is simpler in Band-in-a-Box 2020. You just go to the Activation dialog and click Deactivate Online. This would deactivate the program on that PC and free up that one activation for another computer, using a single activation. To restore it, you can just click on "Activate Online" again (this was previously a separate button/dialog called "Release/Restore"). Activations are "per computer" and there are three available. The license files are stored in the C:\Users\Public folder.
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,624
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,624 |
Activations are "per computer" and there are three available. That's what I thought I'd read, but failed to find it when I looked. So I can licence both the Desktop and the notepad. Excellent. The license files are stored in the C:\Users\Public folder. Oh, right. I wouldn't be synching that anyway. Incidentally, my notepad copy is working OK, presumably with features missing, and I'm well past 30 days on it chronological. Is it use on 30 days, not necessarily continuous, or should it have complained by now? Thanks Andrew. BTW, FYI: BIAB seems to work _quite_ well in a VirtualBox under Win7 on Linux. My main reason for switching to a Win10 bootup was that I had too little space in the VM for the UltraPAK. I probably could have put that on the fileserver, but elected against. Obvious shortcoming: the audio has occasional clicks, presumably related to time-sharing and possibly tuneable. USB connections from hardware to VM are very patchy, so a MIDI keyboard is difficult, at best, to use. I may even have activated it there, prior to upgrading to the UltraPAK.
Jazz relative beginner, starting at a much older age than was helpful.
AVL:MXE Linux; Windows 11
BIAB2025 Audiophile, a bunch of other software.
Kawai MP6, Ui24R, Focusrite Saffire Pro40 and Scarletts
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673
PG Music Staff
|
|
PG Music Staff
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 7,673 |
If it wasn't activated properly you would definitely know about it. Also, you should see that it says "activated" in the About dialog.
Andrew
PG Music Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box 2026 for Windows Special Offers End Tomorrow (January 15th, 2026) at 11:59 PM PST!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PST on Thursday, January 15, 2026!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
Another exciting new addition is the new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. You can view the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to process an entire track or focus on specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Windows to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® Special Offers Extended Until January 15, 2026!
Good news! You still have time to upgrade to the latest version of Band-in-a-Box® for Windows® and save. Our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® special now runs through January 15, 2025!
We've packed Band-in-a-Box® 2026 with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can process an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, XPro Styles PAK 10, Xtra Styles PAK 21, and much more!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PST on January 15th, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows® today! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
Happy New Year!
Thank you for being part of the Band-in-a-Box® community.
Wishing you and yours a very happy 2026—Happy New Year from all of us at PG Music!
Season's Greetings!
Wishing everyone a happy, healthy holiday season—thanks for being part of our community!
The office will be closed for Christmas Day, but we will be back on Boxing Day (Dec 26th) at 6:00am PST.
Team PG
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: The Newly Designed Piano Roll Window
In this video, we explore the updated Piano Roll, complete with a modernized look and exciting new features. You’ll see new filtering options that make it easy to focus on specific note groups, smoother and more intuitive note entry and editing, and enhanced options for zooming, looping, and more.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Band-in-a-Box 2026 Video: AI Stems & Notes - split polyphonic audio into instruments and transcribe
This video demonstrates how to use the new AI-Notes feature together with the AI-Stems splitter, allowing you to select an audio file and have it separated into individual stems while transcribing each one to its own MIDI track. AI-Notes converts polyphonic audio—either full mixes or individual instruments—into MIDI that you can view in notation or play back instantly.
Watch the video.
You can see all the 2026 videos on our forum!
Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®
With your version 2026 for Windows Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
- The 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- Android Band-in-a-Box® App (included)
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Windows®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics85,744
Posts795,661
Members39,946
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean