Installation & Licensing

[#1]

Several months ago my computer crashed and I had to have it reformated. I started re-installing all my programs. When I got to to reinstalling RAS, I couldn't get the usual go ahead to use it. I was told that it was because that it is not supported anymore being 2009. Why is that? Can't we still use a program (that you buy for several thousand dollars) even though it is not supported?

 Thanks,

   Ray

[#2]

Depends on the context.

If it was 2009 under Subscription then the lease on that product has expired under normal Subscription upgrades.  For example, current Subscription for 2013 products will allow you to run licensed versions back to 2010.  Thus 2009 has expired.  In a few months, 2014 Subscription will expired 2010 products.  Once that happens, you can no longer activate the license on that product.  Only licenses that have not been upgraded or crossgraded (or under Subscription) maintain their last valid lease.  So if you only purchased 2009 and never upgraded it or it was the last update prior to lapse of Subscription, you can activate it.  Otherwise, it is expired.

If it is in the context of compatibility, 2009 is not compatible with Windows 7 or Windows 8.  You would have to use Windows XP or Vista to run 2009 products, assuming it has not expired under Subscription.  

If it is in the context of filetype, the product is not backwards compatible.  So doing any work in later versions will not give you any advantage in running 2009 if you have already migrated to a newer version.