Activation issues with AUTOCAD 2012: serial number not valid

[robertsuhling]

I've looked through the forums and have found others with a similar issue, but the answers that have been given have been through PMs or were fixed in a way that I don't think I can use.

Simply put, I would like to load AutoCAD 2012 on a computer, but I'm told that my serial number is invalid.  I tried to load it onto my brand new (literally hours out-of-the-box) computer (cpu A, from here on), but I'm met with a message stating "the serial number you entered is not valid.  Try again. (1)"

I've seen suggestions on this forum that say that I may've typed in the serial number incorrectly.  I was sure that I didn't, but I triple-checked just in case.  The serial number and product key were typed correctly.  I had installed this product before, so I tried another suggestion from the forum...

I decided that I would try to use the License Transfer Utility to transfer my licence that I legally own from my other computer (cpu B) to the AutoDesk server. Though I could access AutoCAD 2012 on that computer (cpu B) with only a little trouble (Windows 8 compatibility issues) I ran up against the same issue when I tried to use the LTU: "the serial number you entered is not valid..."

I've used AutoCAD 2012 on an old CPU (which is now dead) and I've been limping along on CPU A, but I'm not able to use specific actions that I need.  I need to have CPU B (windows 7; compatible with ACad '12) fully compatible.  Could the fact that I couldn't uninstall AutoCAD before my old CPU croaked have cause my troubles with CPUs A+B?  If I'm over my license limit, why is my serial number "not valid"? 

I tried to use the previous links given by experts (as in http://knowledge.autodesk.com/contactus) but I'm always redirected to somewhere near this forum.  I found one other user with the same problem as me, but he/she was not answered yet.  I could use some help, and while I'll try the help line the next time our office is open, I'd really appreciate a digital troubleshooting manual before I tie up the help lines. 

Thanks for your time. 

[philip.s · Accepted solution]

Hi Robert,

Welcome to the community and thank you very much for providing the detailed post. One of the most common issues of the invalid serial number error is actually due to a license that has been upgraded to a newer version per a subscription contract that has since expired.

This would not prevent an existing activation form working properly, but any new activation and/or license transfer attempts with the old license would fail.

Just checked your account and that appears to be the case as the 2012 license was indeed upgraded to AutoCAD 2013. I'm going to send you a Private Message shortly with the relevant info and corresponding options.

Should anyone else encounter this same issue, please see the following article for how to locate your new license information.

How to find your serial number and product key in your Autodesk Account

If you wish to inquire about continuing use on the older license, please contact our License Assistance Team for direct activation support.

To find self-service solutions or reach us via Chat for Activation and Licensing Help:
Visit http://knowledge.autodesk.com/contactus
Select “Activation & Registration” or “License Management”
Select appropriate subtopics from the pull-down menus.
Select “I Still Need Help” if you need personal assistance.

Here to help if additional clarification is needed, otherwise please accept as a solution so that others can benefit from this information.