Bonaventura Paturzo

Hi WhoDjini,

Thanks for the greeting and the words of encouragement. What surprises me is that after uninstalling with Revo/Advanced Uninstaller, cleaning out the registry – both with those programs and by hand, searching the computer for any mention of Houdini or Sidefx, it still finds two licenses from previous attempts! Kinda NSA spooky-like.

When I have time, I'll try those suggestions in your link.

I just got Modo 501 Academic so I'll be busy with that for a while. Houdini looked kind of cool in a weird Shade-like way. No offense.

Thanks twod

Already tried that. What's really discouraging is I've gone back to build 446 which had worked but now is coming up with bad server key – also shows two licenses for H and two for R.

Maybe this is a fabulous program but honestly it can't be worth this hassle. I keep thinking that are remnants from previous install attempts that are keeping it from working; maybe the ornate licensing scheme is being tripped up…I don't know.

I have even tried making giving every single file in the bin and Houdini folder full security permissions…nothing. I'm not a noob but it really has me stumped.

My plan was to get a legitimate copy, trying Apprentice just to see how bad the watermark was, get to know the program, and then buy the HD version. I am so glad I didn't pay the $99. Sigh.

Thanks for helping.

Thanks twod

I should have mentioned the reason for being so sure – I have Cat 10.7 to 10.11 and none of them seemed to work. Any other advice would be deeply appreciated !