Sage 100 Error Cannot Open Activation Key File

Sometimes, certain errors occur as you try to launch your Sage 100. One of the most common errors is the message: 

Sage 100 Error Cannot Open Activation Key File

The main issue arises as these Sage errors can cause a blockage to the progression of your task, which could result in either a waste of resources or even monetary losses. So, now that you are facing this error, what can you do about this? Let us look at some of the basic causes and their respective solutions.

Main Causes of Sage 100 Error Cannot Open Activation Key File

The main reasons for this error could be any of the following:

1. The presence of Insufficient Permissions
2. Missing or corrupt Activate.pvx
3. presence of Insufficient drive space

Possible Resolution

In case the user lacks network permissions to launch Sage 100 ERP Standard. To test the permissions, you need to conduct the following:

1.  Go to the Windows Explorer
2. Next, go to “..\Mas90\Home\Lib\Keys”.
3. Now try and create and delete a text (.txt) file in that folder.
4. Next, in case an access error occurs, enter the user sufficient rights to the entire ..\Mas90\ folder and all subfolders, using the following guidelines:

Change (RWXD) or “Full Control” permissions at the SharePoint

•  The Activate.pvx file in “..\Mas90\Home\Lib\Keys” on the server might be missing or corrupted:
  
  • You need to replace it with a backup copy.
  • In case it has been renamed, such as to “MIGRATE_ACTIVATE.PVX”, try renaming it back.
• ..\MAS90\Home\Lib\Keys\Activate.pvx is Read-Only. This can occur in case the Sage 100 ERP has been restored from a CD-ROM backup. Next, delete the “Read-Only” type attributes from all Sage 100 ERP files.
  • launch a command prompt, for this go to the “..\MAS90” folder, and type the following command to delete “Read-Only”, “System”, and “Hidden” attributes from the ..\Mas90 folder and all subfolders:
  • ATTRIB -r -s -h /s
• The path to “..\MAS90” has been incorrectly mapped. For example, the ..\Mas90\ folder itself might be shared so that the workstation only views the folders beneath ..\Mas90\ (F:\Home\ instead of F:\Mas90\Home\). To resolve this, perform the following:
  
  • Start by removing the share from the “..\MAS90” directory, and share the drive above ..\Mas90\.

1. Go to the workstation, remap the drive so that it points to the new SharePoint,
2. Next Run Workstation Setup (..\MAS90\Wksetup\Setup.exe or Wksetup.exe).

• The server can have insufficient disk space to run the program. You need to Verify that the server has sufficient disk space.
• A virus might be interfering with Sage 100 ERP Standard processes.
  • As of 09/20/2001, the following file types have been known to interfere with Sage 100 ERP.

• • • *.eml
      •*.nws
      •RICH*.DLL
      •MPE*.*
  •  In case any of these types of files exist on the network, the virus should be cleaned from the network before troubleshooting Sage 100 ERP problems. In case the Sage 100 ERP is infected by a virus, perform the following:
    

1. Start by Rename the “..\MAS90\Home” and “..\MAS90\CM” directories.
2. Next Reinstall the System Setup, Library Master, and Custom Office (if installed) modules.
3. Now Reactivate the system in Product Registration. It is not required to reenter the serial numbers and unlocking keys.
4. To retain configuration settings, such as Device Configurator, copy all *.ini files from the old “..\MAS90\Home” directory to the new “..\MAS90\Home” directory.
   • The PVX.INI file in the “..\Windows” directory of the server contains an absolute path to the “..\MAS90\Home\Lib” directory that is incorrect. The path to the “..\MAS90\Home\Lib” directory must be the same as the path in the “..\Windows\PVX.INI” file at the server
   • Now Delete the “..\Windows\PVX.INI” file within the local workstation, and then run Workstation Setup.

   This resolution is applicable only if the error occurs within the program instead of when launching it.

Sage 100 Advanced and Premium

User Account Control (UAC) might be blocking the access. In this case, you need to Perform any of the following:

• Start by Installing  Sage Sage 100 ERP Advanced / Premium to a folder other than within “C:\Program Files“.
• Next, Run the Sage Sage 100 ERP Advanced / Premium shortcut icon in XP Compatibility Mode.

1. Start by Right-clicking on the Sage 100 ERP Advanced / Premium shortcut icon
   Next, click Properties.
2. Now  Click on the Compatibility tab.
3. Within the Compatibility Mode selection, select Run this program in Compatibility Mode for the check box.
4. Within the drop-down list, Click select Windows XP (Service Pack 2).
5. Within the Privilege Level section, select Run this program as an administrator check box.
6. In the case of multi-user systems, click Show setting for all users, and repeat steps 4 and 5. Ensure to select the same check boxes as steps 4 and 5 (by default, the shortcut properties are valid only for the current user).
7. Now Click Apply, and then click OK.

Disable UAC (User Account Control) in Windows

• Start by Setting Use User Account Control (UAC) to “Never Notify” inorder to help protect your system check box in User Accounts. For more details, search for Turn user account control on or off at windows help.microsoft.com.
• • Finally, Grant all Sage 100 ERP Advanced and Premium users the Change permissions to the “local” ..\MAS90\ folder on the TS/Citrix server.
    Note: Be sure to Review the Supported Platform Matrix for more details regarding software compatibility.In case the Sage 100 Advanced has been installed within the Terminal Server/Citrix server (TS/Citrix), the user might not have Change permissions to the local client side “..\MAS90\Home\Lib\Keys” folder.

Conclusion

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FAQ's 

Q. How can one locate the Sage Activation Key?

A. To do so, you need to:

In case you are currently linked to more than one account:

1. Start by clicking Select on the relevant company. 
2. Next Click Software
3. Now click Active Products. 
4. Next, Click the serial number for the relevant product or package.
5. Finally, the activation key, as well as any relevant license details appear.

Q. What can a user do if the Activation Key has expired?

A. To do so: 

• Start by Clicking on Help 
• Next, click on Customer Support and Service
• This will Activate Sage 50.
• Here you need to Enter your serial number and activation code in the respective fields when prompted.
• In case these solutions do not work, reach out to a customer support representative who can help you through the additional troubleshooting options.

Q. How can one activate the ‘My Sage Account’?

A. To do so, you need to:

• Start by clicking the link to register in the welcome email.
• Now Enter the verification code from your email.
• Next, Enter the email address you would  like to use to log into the portal
• Now confirm your email address.
• Next, Enter a selected password, then confirm your password.
• After you have entered everything, click confirm.