# Questions

## When I try to activate FoolCat (licensed or a trial), why am I told, “No virtual machine activations allowed.”?

{% hint style="info" %}
This only concerns Windows users.
{% endhint %}

Running FoolCat in a VM is a Pro feature. 

If you see this error when activating a *trial*, you're running FoolCat in a VM, or a Hypervisor process must be active in Windows.

If you see this error when activating a *purchased license*, you have a regular license or a Pro license that needs VM activations allowed on your license.

A step-by-step guide for disabling any-and-all Hypervisor (Hyper-V) and Virtual Machine features on your PC is available here:

{% content-ref url="/pages/UIBxiHJMUBHr8aURYDew" %}
[VMs & Hypervisors](/general/licenses/vms-and-hypervisors.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

If you have a regular license and need VM activations, upgrade your license in the [License Manager](https://account.hedge.video/), then [reach out](mailto:hello@hedge.video).

Already on a Pro license? [Reach out](mailto:hello@hedge.video).

## FoolCat states error -1004

You're likely on an old version of FoolCat, update to the latest version.

## "Invalid activation number"

You're likely trying to activate FoolCat using a legacy license key. Legacy license keys start with `id` or only have a few characters. [Upgrade your license](https://hedge.video/store/foolcat?coupon=FOOL6GRADE-C7B230BC), or [download a legacy version](https://docs.hedge.video/foolcat/releases#legacy-downloads).

## FoolCat states "Starting Services"

{% hint style="info" %}
This issue is fixed in FoolCat version 23.1 and newer.
{% endhint %}

FoolCat's media engine isn't starting correctly. Reboot your computer, and if that doesn't help, reinstall FoolCat.

![Starting Services](/files/FBRVrOJw6x7M6K0qgArF)

## How can I export/import settings?

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS" %}
To export and import user settings for FoolCat on macOS, using the Terminal app, you can follow these steps:

**Export Settings**

1. **Quit FoolCat**
2. **Open the Terminal app**
3. **Export the settings**

   Run the following command to export the settings to a **`.plist`** file:

   ```
   defaults export nl.syncfactory.FoolCat.Mac ~/Desktop/FoolCatSettings.plist
   ```

   This will create a file named **`OffShootSettings.plist`** on your desktop.

**Import Settings**

The user preferences contain encrypted user information that might cause an issue when doing this offline. A reactivation might be needed.

1. **Open Terminal app**
2. **Import the preferences**

   Run the following command to import the preferences:

   ```
   defaults import nl.syncfactory.FoolCat.Mac ~/Desktop/FoolCatSettings.plist 
   ```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}
To export and import user settings for FoolCat on Windows, using PowerShell, you can follow these steps:

**Export Settings**

1. **Quit FoolCat**
2. **Open PowerShell as Administrator**

   Right-click on the Start menu and select "Terminal (Admin)".
3. **Export the settings** \
   Run the following commands to export the registry key to a **`.reg`** file:

```
mkdir C:\\Temp
```

```
reg export "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\\Software\\FoolCat" "C:\\Temp\\FoolCatSettings.reg"
```

4. Prune the registry settings (BuildVersion, LicenseVersion)

```
(Get-Content "C:\\TEMP\\FoolCatSettings.reg") -notmatch '("BuildVersion"|"LicenseVersion")' | Set-Content "C:\\TEMP\\FoolCatSettings.reg"
```

This will create a file named `FoolCatSettings.reg` in `C:\Temp`

**Import Settings**

The Registry values contain encrypted user information that might cause an issue when doing this offline. A reactivation might be needed.

1. **Quit FoolCat**
2. **Open PowerShell as Administrator**

   Right-click on the Start menu and select "Terminal (Admin)"
3. **Import the settings**

   Double-click the updated file or run the following command to import the registry settings:

   ```
   reg import "C:\\Temp\\FoolCattSettings.reg"
   ```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Can I change the size of stills FoolCat creates?

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="macOS" %}
Yes, you can change the size of the stills with the following Terminal command:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```
defaults write nl.syncfactory.Foolcat.Mac kFFMDefaultsPreferencesCatalogThumbSize -int 1024
```

{% endcode %}

The value sets the maximum dimension of the still’s longest edge. For example, a value of 1024 means the still will fit within a 1024×128 box while preserving its original aspect ratio.
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Windows" %}
Yes, you can change the size of the stills with the following Terminal (PowerShell) command:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Software\FoolCat" -Name "SettingsStillResolution" -Type DWord -Value 1024
```

{% endcode %}

The value sets the maximum dimension of the still’s longest edge. For example, a value of 1024 means the still will fit within a 1024×128 box while preserving its original aspect ratio.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}


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