Category: Geeks r Us
Hello everyone:
I just installed Jfw 13 at work. The last version I installed was 12.0.525. When I restarted my computer, I got a weird message that said something like "you have a previously authorized version. It suggested I reactivate the software or contact Freedom Scientific. A couple of questions.
First, the Jfw 13 is an SMA, and I don't have an authorization number on the package. When I opened the JfW 13Ilm authorization, it just said "checking for authorization, and nothing happened. How do I reactivate my software.
The other thing is that I forgot to turn off Jfw 12 before installing 13. could this be the issue, should I just uninstall 13, and re-install it? What else could be causing that weird message. It pops up before I can even log onto my windows account. Please help! If possible, give me really specific instructions, I'm not a computer whiz. Thanks for any suggestions.
My only suggestion is to call FS tech support and see if you can figure out what's going on. I don't mean to go off on a rant here because I know it's not helpful...but I've seen so many people have trouble with this authorization scheme FS seems to love and will not fix. Every time someone upgrades, changes a bit of hardware, or even breathes wrong, JAWS breaks and you have to re-authorize it. and if you've had multiple problems they refuse to help you, that's what *really* gets me good and pissed off. I mean, I can understand if the problem was with the user being stupid and just deleting necessary files at random. But I've even seen computer experts have this problem when they install a new internal hd, a sound card, or a video card...it relies too much on hardware configs, and it's just really bad and needs to be fixed. Whew. Ok. I feel better now. But yeah seriously, if it won't authorize, the best thing to do is to call FS. I've had some rather awful experiences with them, but hopefully you'll have better luck. When you rely on a screenreader to do your daily tasks especially in the workforce, things should just work. and lots of times the person on the job has no say on what screenreader is used thanks to contracts. Good luck, I seriously hope you can fix it!
I emailed Tech Support at FS, so hopefully I'll have a reply in my inbox. Up till now, I haven't had any issues with JFW. Do you know when JFW 14 will be released? I'm on my last SMA like I said is 13.0. I need a better version, Jfw 12 does a really crappy job of reading scanned PDF files. Regular PDF's are fine, it's the scanning that is a bummer. I hear JFW 13 does a better of reading those, I hear it's supposed to. My workplace knows virtually nothing about my software. I should give the IT Dept a lesson on Jaws, but honestly, I'm not super skilled at it myself. I just don't usually read the training manuals unless I have to. If I need to, I can pull in a Computer Tech friend of mine. She's usually pretty helpfull. But in the meantime, GRRr!
Usually, new versions of JAWS come out around October or so. My guess is that's when version 14 will be released. I've never dealt with FS customer support, so I really can't speak for that, but, best of luck. If you're using JAWS at work, I can imagine you'll definitely need to get this issue sorted out as quickly as possible.
basically, you probably purchased the SMA update sometime after you originally activated jaws on the system you are using. THis would cause the jaws 12 authorization to be written for that version and an updated authorization file needs to be created. Typically if you proceed with the activation wizard your 20 digit code will already be in there. If not, you can simply call FS support provide them with your serial, and they'll be happy to give you your authorization code.
The authorization code code is on the CD sleeve. Ask one of your co workers to read it to you.
Each time you upgrade, say from 11 to 12 and from 12 to 13 on the new system you must retype the authorization code in.
As posted FS will also give it to you.
Now until you get it straight you will find an message that says run as demo, so run 13 as a demowhen you want to use it until you get your code.
You can always just run 12 as well. Unload Jaws insert F4 than simply hit windows key and the letter R. You are not in the run section. Type jaws12 and hit inter. Jaws 12 will start.
If you know how to use Jaws than go in to the settings and set 12 so that it starts when windows starts and you are good to go.
I don't believe this issue should require all this time to get set, so my post is probably a day late ande a dollar short.
If you are still waiting to get it fixed just make a call and you'll have it done 1800 444-4443
Now on the authorization code code issue when you upgrade a part of your system, this is a Windows 7 thing. When you change things you change the locking code and that causes Jaws to not be valid, because it depends on the locking code, so thinks its a new machine. I personally haven't had any issue getting a authorization code when I have upgraded parts. I just say that is what I have done and I get one. Normally you'll not be upgrading part to offten on the same computer, so it works out. It is an issue however if you are trying to get something to work, so its best to run Jaws as a demo until you get your machine working like you want it, than authorize it