Since I last posted I tried installing on my workshop PC. (XP Pro)
Installed OK, but when started it asked for the activation stuff, (the same as happened on the laptop) when entered it came up with incorrect serial number error. I used the same key as supplied and succeeded on the first install, went through the same procedure but no go.
Is all this BS made just to confuse and piss off old farts? Well, it does!!

My next try will be to uninstall from the PC and go through it all again. If it still won't go, I will switch over to Great Cow and farewell PBP.

BTW how does it know how many computers it is installed on? Does it have anything to do with the online / offline activation. IE does the activation procedure give anything to, or get anything from, MEL while activating?

It's Ouzo 'n' Coke o'clock....