Maxwell Systems, Inc. Quest Solutions Unable to provide me with my activation code. King of Prussia, Pennsylvania

I bought earthworks and estimator from them in 2001. The salesman promised that I was going to get a database with prices for my Geographical area with my purchase. I was never given that database and there was nothing I could do about it, because I never made them write it down in the contract. I had to keep the software which I paid $20,000. Since I had the bad taste in my mouth of being ripped off I never purchased the annual $1,000 support contract from them. Now I need to reinstall the software on a different computer, and  they are telling me that my software is obsolete and they can not provide me with my activation code. I also asked them the steps that I should take to transfer the software to another owner and they are telling me that it is not transferable.

  I completely understand and I respect that they need to protect themselves from piracy. But the software comes with a dongle ( a piece of hardware that goes at the back of the computer and makes it impossible to run the software without it).  The activation code that needs to be obtained only by phone  at the time of the new installation is a way for them to force the customer to be in the annual maintenance program which back then cost $1000, and now to force me to "upgrade". Well I don't want to throw any more money in the dirt pit.   Foolishly enough I spent $20,000 and I do not want to upgrade, even more I do not want to spend anymore money. My 10 year old computer died and I need to reinstall the software on a new computer. This is like you buy a new car with a full tank of gas that you need to throw away because you don't have access to put more gas into it. This is a rip off!!!.