How to Update The Act! License Count

For Act! v18.2+, Act! corporate changed the licensing software component.   If you add or remove users from your initial purchase, we have seen the user count on workstations not reflect the latest user count.

So, it’s a best practice on each workstation and the server to manually refresh the activation count.  The screenshot below shows you how it’s done.  The database doesn’t have to be open.  Once you refresh the activation, restart the program to see the updated count.  Directions:

  1. In Act! go to the File -> Close menu.
  2. Go to Help -> Refresh activation.

Act! refresh activation

by Mondo

How to deactivate an Act! license

Since the end of 2018, Act! corporate has cracked down on how many PCs can be installed per Act! user license.  In other words, if you have 5 Act! licenses, you can install it on 10 PCs.  As you replace PCs, you will need to de-activate the license on the PC you are about to replace before installing Act! on the new PC.

If the PC hardware failed before you can do this, you need to call Act! corporate customer service and manually request they de-activate the PC off their list.  Act! corporate tracks by using the UNC name of the PC (ex: \\MONDO-LAPTOP).  This video shows you how to deactivate the license.

by Mondo

Act! Preventive Maintenance

Tips on Act! Maintenance

Here are a couple quick ideas on maintaining Act!, which can be automated from the Act! server also by going Tools -> Act! Scheduler.

  • Go to File -> Backup.  Do this early and often!
  • Go to Tools -> Database Maintenance -> Check and Repair

by Mondo

Act! License Service Discontinued for Act! v17 v16 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005

We have recently been informed that an embedded third-party software component (Protexis license service for Act!) for legacy versions (listed below) of Act! that facilitates licensing services is being discontinued by the publisher (Arvato) on December 31st, 2018.

As of January 1, 2019, certain common actions Act! users may take that interact with the licensing component will cause Act! to fail and you will no longer be able to access your database.

Examples of these common actions include:
  • Attempting to install Act! on new hardware
  • Modifying existing hardware
  • Modifying your user count
  • For a complete list of actions, click here.

If you are on a legacy version of Act!, and you wish to continue using Act!, you will need to upgrade.

Versions that will require an upgrade:
  • v17
  • v16
  • 2013/v15
  • 2012/v14
  • 2011/v13
  • 2010/v12
  • 2009/v11
  • 2008/v10
  • 2007/v9
  • 2006/v8
  • 2005/v7
Versions that will have a patch issued between November 20th, 2018 and January 10th, 2019.

by Mondo

How to Disable Internal Emails Attaching to Act! Records

Although many Act! users like e-mails attached to Act! records, they may not want internal e-mails to attach to Act!.

Click the image to see a video on how to disable Act! from attaching internal e-mails.  To see the screen below, click on Tools -> Preferences -> Admin to get to this screen.  If this option it’s disabled, login as the Act! Administrator.

Disable Internal E-Mail attachments in Actg!
Click to watch a quick video

by Mondo