Windows 7: Deactivate LA Noire?

Right, I'm going to be wiping my 1TB internal drive in my best computer once I have backed up all my music, videos and docs (NOT program files etc. as not enough external space - only stuff in C:/Users/Piers will be backed up (aprox 530GB)).
I have many games installed on the PC, such as the sims 2 + 3, GTA4 + GTA4 EFLC, MS flight simulator X and so on, all legitimately purchased from high street retailers first hand. I know where I stand with re-activating the sims and gta4, but I am not aware of how Rockstar do activation with LA Noire. I already put in the code once to activate it the first time, but when I wipe the HDD and re-install LA Noire (along with re-installing everything else), what will happen? Is the code, unlike GTA4, single-use? If so, is there some deactivation exe that deactivates the code online? As the PC doesn't boot (it's nearly completely screwed), so the HDD is currently in a PC I built last night that would be able to backup all my user data to several smaller HDDs. If there is just a simple deactivate online exe, that would be perfect (as that would be able to be done on whichever machine the HDD is in, rather than needing to be on the machine it the HDD boots).



I just realised, flight simulator x? I think I read that that code is able to be activated twice, so I guess that isn't as urgently needed as LA Noire's solution, but I really dont want to have to buy both games AGAIN just because the computer screwed itself up (multiple BSODs, unusable, root cause seems to be GPU drivers, that issue seems to be mostly sorted, I just need to do a fresh install)

The best answer I can think of is to try reinstalling the software again when you set up your rmachine and go from there. You aren't the first person to wipe a drive and reinstall/reactivate games or software so....

If you really feel like this is going to be an issue, then contact Rockstar.

Anyway I've been where you are a few times and have not had any issues reinstalling and activating games.

My two cents.

okay, thanks i guess i'm not really too bothered if I have to buy it again . I read the readme in the LA Noire directory, and it says "...you will be prompted to enter your product key to perform a one-time product activation via the internet.", but it seems to be in the tone of that in the sense of "you don't need to activate it each time you want to play it" and they don't seem to go into any other numbers. If I get the computer working again, I'll definitely post back the activation outcome

A lot of readme's have tones like that, it's basically to make sure legit users do the right thing. Anyway if you really have a concern you could visit the game's forums or contact rockstar.

Also, just out of curiousity, does the game have a deactivate switch? I've not seen one in a game but have seen it in Photoshop.

Anyway I think you'll be fine, but double check just to be sure.

Was reseasrching this GameShield DRm, and its a bit vague as to what constitutes a "activation"

Like, with GTA or other SecuRom Games, you activate ona PC, with a limit of 5. but you can easily revoke if you plan to re-install.
No mention of anything like that.


It makes me wonder if this works like some of the EA/Bioware activations do.

For example, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Alice MR ...
You activate your key 1 time, and its tied to an account permanately. Perhaps it gets tied to the Rockstar Social Club account??

Furture activation only require logging into your account the first time you launch the game, regardless how many times you re-install or what PC its on.

Which BTW, I actually do not mind this type of DRM. Hopefully thats the way this Gameshield works. No need to worry about revoking and limits.


At any count, Im thinking about buying this game myself and would like to know more about how the DRM works first. I do a clean install occasionally so I like to keep track of what games require what.
So if anyone finds out anything concrete please update

I'm thinking this is correct.

Personally DRM issues don't sway me one way or the other when it comes to purchasing games. If I listened to a lot of that stuff I wouldn't have gotten such games as Bioshock, Dead Space, or Mass Effect to name a few.

My two cents.

well, I'm completely confused with the result

Result:
As the PC was completely screwed (couldn't boot at all) I couldn't load the game, but I don't recall seeing any deactivation thing there. I also couldn't find any deactivation exe in the directory on the HDD.
I just installed LA Noire on the fresh Windows install after wiping the computer, and installation went smoothly, game loaded and asked for code. Note, the first thing it asked for was the code. So, I was rather nervous that it may not work. Nevertheless, I still put the code from the back of my manual in. It said successful. So, the mandatory patch downloads and installs, and the game restarts. It starts up again and prompts me to sign in to social club. I do so, and it seems fine. It then goes to the menu (haven't yet restored the save from my backups), and I click 'new'. The intro video starts (couldn't be bothered to wait it out), so clearly it all works
See, on the back of the GTA4 Complete Edition case, it says unlimited installations but requires disc in drive. LA Noire doesn't need the disc in the drive to play and mentions nothing about the serial, just goes on about single-use codes for special features, which they don't need to mention as all the DLC is on the disc and Rockstar confirmed that what comes with the complete editions is all that they will be making for LA Noire. Seems that Rockstar are just being vague as usual, with their typical "screw the PC users with misinformation and shoddy products" :/