the product key for my free upgrade is not working

[ReedK]

Having recently bought a copy of paralells, I recieved an email that said this:

You recently purchased Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac – the leading solution to run Windows applications on a Mac without rebooting. Because you purchased your product within our grace period (on or after August 15, 2010), you are eligible for a free-of-charge upgrade to the new Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac!

it also said this:

Get upgrade to Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac - Download it today!

Three Easy Steps:

1. Download Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac.

2. Have your key handy for the copy of Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac currently installed on your computer. You can find instructions for locating your license key here.

3. Install Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac and enter the product activation key provided below when prompted. In certain circumstances, you may also be asked to provide your Desktop 5 for Mac key (see Step 2).

Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac upgrade key:

XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX-XXXXXX

so, i followed step 1, simple, step 2, even easier, but when i attempt step 3, it rejects the upgrade key.

Can anyone tell me how to fix this?

 

[PatrickJ]

What does it do when it is rejected?

Using an upgrade key for P6 will open up a dialog asking for a P5 key to complete the process. This is probably duh, but copy and paste both - could be a classic 0 and O mixup.

If that still doesn't work, go into

https://www.parallels.com/account/home/

and check what your 'My Registered Products' include.. you should have both P5 Desktop and P6 Desktop listed. If you don't have either or both, add the missing key starting with P5.

 

[ReedK]

it still isnt working, when i copy and paste the code the window shakes and it says the key is invalid.

 

[LambertT]

Most likely you encounter the same issue which some of us had encountered. The activation upgrade code is for French version and not for English.

 

[Sarah Doxiadis]

Agreed, the pattern fits what happened to me, too, and several others. If you check your email, you were probably given a new email after the download, with a temporary activation key. Go ahead and install that. Afterware, look under the "parallels" tab (not the help tab, which is what the Knowledge Base says) and click on the Activation link. At this point, if you try to put in your new, free upgrade key, you should get the unfortunate news that your key is for the French version. Go ahead and use the Trial Activation and PLEASE, create a support request to get an accurate key. Right now, my email re: support says this is a Level 4 issue. More people creating support requests should get us faster results!