Calibrating Software

[Josie Stahl]

Damien, I just got a new calibrator - Spyder 5 Pro and have software activation issues. I used your instructions (from here: https://www.damiensymonds.net/spyder5pro-calibration-tutorial-desktop-screens/) to install but then step 2 didn't complete as you write that it should. So I tried to open the software and continue the activiation process that way. It gives me the message in the photo. But no matter how often I click on "next," nothing happens. I did restart my computer and try again. Same problem. Now what?

 

 

[Damien Symonds]

Maybe try plugging the calibrator into a different USB port?

[Josie Stahl]

No difference. The Spyder icon pops up in the task bar, though.

[Damien Symonds]

I'm so sorry, I'm stumped.  I don't know why this would be happening.

[Josie Stahl]

Is there another way I can activate my software? 

[Damien Symonds]

Yes, try installing and activating on another computer.

[Josie Stahl]

Problem solved, Damien! Our firewall was blocking the activation. Thanks for your help!

[Josie Stahl]

Another question.

Man, I'm running into a wall with everythig in this process. Current wall is that when the calibration process runs, the screen flickers in and out of the software and momentarily displays the desktop. I imagine that can't be good for the calibration process. Any idea why it's doing that?

[Damien Symonds]

Gee, I've never heard of that before.

Does your computer only have one screen attached?  You're not running a multi-screen setup?

[Josie Stahl]

multi-screen. yes. Both flicker, but one is worse.

[Damien Symonds]

Can you run your eye over this page and see if everything is kosher?

[Josie Stahl]

Everything looks ok. HDMI connections and extended desktop. Though I do have a projector connected as well, and one screen is duplicated to that. I don't have the option to extend to the projector. 
 

[Damien Symonds]

Flickering generally indicates problem or incompatibility with the graphics card.  What card are you running?

[Josie Stahl]

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650

Driver is updated.

 

Edited April 20, 2025 by Josie Stahl

[Damien Symonds]

That's pretty feeble these days.

Maybe disconnect all but one screen and see if it makes any difference?

[Josie Stahl]

7 minutes ago, Damien Symonds said:

That's pretty feeble these days.

 

oh goody. not.

[Josie Stahl]

No, having only 1 screen connected does not make a difference at all.

[Damien Symonds]

Still flickering in and out of the software?

[Josie Stahl]

Yes. 

[Josie Stahl]

So, if the video card is the problem, how do we go about deciding what will work? 

[Damien Symonds]

I don't know, I'm so sorry.  I've never encountered flickering before.