Garmin Mobile PC Software - limited installations

[Andeh13]

Long story short, I have a carPC which I am rebuilding currently. I use Garmin Mobile PC for the satnav side of things. I bought it 6 months ago for £50 from Handtek (link below).

http://www.handtec.co.uk/product.php...software-only-

Now, they use a serial code to activate it, which is fair enough. Few months ago i rebuilt the PC & had to ring them and ask them to reset my activation, so I could re-activate it on my ''new'' carPC. they did this without any problems.

Few weeks ago I did the same...no problems.

That was before I bought a SSD and re-installed the carPC on it last week. When i rang them, the guy on the phone got a bit snotty with me saying that they wouldn't re-activate it for me again after this time because it costs Garmin money each time they reset the activation code. I explained that I had bought it, was not made aware of this fact & and I hadnt been told about it in the past. Looking online some people have been flat out refused a new activation code and have to wait 6 months, so I know he isn't bluffing.


Now that was last week & this week being ill I got itchy fingers and have been playing round with it. I have also decided I want to change from 64bit -> 32bit to see if a few programs I am having problems with work any better. This will require a new installation of Garmin, it will also cause a few problems as they are not going to be happy with this.

My question is, having spent £50 on this software, can they turn around & tell me to get stuffed if I ring up and ask them to re-set my activation number so I can re-install it again? I know they do this to stop piracy but with the DVD, box, serial number, documentation etc with me I have plenty to prove this is legit. This will be my 4th install of it if I go ahead with it.

Cheers Hexus

[dave87]

I don't get how it costs Garmin money to reset an activation code in a system they themselves designed?

Worth sending an email to Garmin to see if they can do anything for you if Handtec are being a pain in the rear.

[Andeh13]

I've not contacted Handtek about this, I am sure they will just refer me back to Garmin, as it is Garmin that is causing the issues.

Just hoping for any advice before I ring them and esquire!

[dave87]

Didn't realise that it was Garmin you were speaking to - if so - no excuse tbh.

Two ways of doing it I guess - kicking off which runs the risk of them sticking to proceedures exactly, or explaining why you keep needing to reinstall (hardware issues etc) and hope they are understanding.

After that point (if either option doesn't work) then escalate it through their complaints proceedure.