I restored my windows vista premium on my new dell laptop because I was experiencing some vista related problems. Before that my photoshop was working but would not save (save screen just froze, caused by vista problems i think). Anyways after system restore I installed photoshop but get the following error:

Licensing for this product has stopped working

I checked the troubleshooting for this issue but I cannot locate FLEXnet folder or service. They both don't appear to exist. All help is appreciated.

Reinstall the program. The licensing information is probably stored on a part of the disk that was not restored correctly.

Michael: You have to use a 'sector by sector' restore. The restoration of the HD has to replicate every sector exactly as it was.

Just noticed you have a Dell and no doubt used their 'restore' function, you need another program to to this properly.

I tried reinstalling the product, the problem still exists. I restored my vista to a state prior to photoshop being installed. I then uninstalled what remained and installed again. Problem now exists after a few reinstalls.

Any other things I can do? What does 'sector by sector' restore mean?

Micheal: You should have de-activated Photoshop prior to using the restore function.

The HD is composed of sectors, PS puts its activation stuff in the boot sector of the HD, so you would have to make sure you re-write that sector exactly by using a utility that does just that, there are many and everyone here has a favourite.

Call Adobe. Installation support is free.

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Steve

I don't like calling people much but I may have to. IDAWE, is it possible to restore it using software now? Or would I have to have had the software installed before i installed photoshop and set a restore checkpoint? Also could you please name your favourite.

If all fails I can reformat the laptop as I barely have anything on it.

No you would have had to use a software program first to create the back-up.

I was going to suggest the reformat option, but no one likes that option.

Thanks for the info. I think I will go ahead and reformat. Ive only had it a few days so wouldn't really lose anything. Will go ahead and do that tomorrow.

This is all craziness. I'm looking at a new mobo, and I can usually not have to do a format and install (same cpu and ram.). But maybe I'll have to.