Retrospect is asking me to re-type my license code

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Retrospect 7.5 and higher for Windows

Retrospect for Windows uses a configXX.dat and configXX.bak file to store all Retrospect preferences (license code, scripts, custom settings, client database, etc.). The config file is located in documents and settings/all users/application data/Retrospect.

The configXX.bak file is a backup of the Retrospect settings which is overwritten with the current settings every time you quit Retrospect.

1. Do NOT enter a new license code if Retrospect is requesting a new code, this will result in the backup copy of the preferences to become overwritten.
2. Browse to the main Retrospect folder:
   • Windows XP and Windows Server pre-2008: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Retrospect
   • Windows Vista and higher and Windows Server 2008 and higher: C:\ProgramData\Retrospect
3. Check the modification and creation dates for the configXX.dat and configXX.bak. If the .bak file modify/creation date matches the modify date for the .dat file, then your backup copy of the preferences has probably been overwritten by the corrupt copy of the .dat file.
4. Rename the configXX.dat file to "configXX.old"
5. Rename the configXX.bak file to "configXX.dat"
6. Launch Retrospect.
7. If Retrospect stops asking for a license code, and still contains your custom settings, then you have corrected the problem.
8. If Retrospect continues to ask for a license code, then the preferences on your hard disk have become corrupted. You must re-type your Retrospect license code.
9. Once you get Retrospect open again, restore a copy of the configXX.dat file from an older backup of the C: disk. Details on how to restore individual files can be found in the Retrospect user’s Guide as well as the knowledgebase. Once you restore the file, quit Retrospect and replace the config file in C:\Documents 

Retrospect 8 and higher for Mac

1. Exit out of Retrospect.
2. Open System Preferences.
3. Open the Retrospect icon found here and Stop the Engine.
4. Browse to the main Retrospect folder found in the root Library folder: /Library/Application Support/Retrospect.
5. Check the modification and creation dates for the config80.dat and configxx.bak files. If the .bak file modify/creation date matches the modify date for the .dat file, then your backup copy of the preferences has probably been overwritten by the corrupt copy of the .dat file.
6. Rename the configxx.dat file to "configxx.old"
7. Rename the configxx.bak file to "configxx.dat"
8. Restart Retrospect.
9. Open System Preferences
10. Open the Retrospect icon found here and Start the Engine.
11. Launch the Retrospect Console.
12. If Retrospect stops asking for a license code, and still contains your custom settings, then you have corrected the problem.
13. If Retrospect continues to ask for a license code, then the preferences on your hard disk have become corrupted. You must re-type your Retrospect license code.
14. Once you get Retrospect open again, restore a copy of the configxx.dat file from an older backup of the Mac’s main drive. Restore directions can be found in the Retrospect User’s Guide and knowledgebase.

Retrospect 6 for Mac

Retrospect for Macintosh keeps the preferences in your root Library/Preferences/Retrospect folder. The preference file containing all Retrospect settings is named Retro.Config (X.X) or Retro.Express Config (X.X).

If Retrospect for Macintosh is requesting a license code, then re-enter your license code and restore a copy of the Retro.Config from an older backup.

Last Update: November 29, 2012