want to buy a second hand mpc one but with no serial code

so i saw a pretty good deal on a mpc one although it has no serial code is that a big problem? he said its not if i am not planning to use it with a computer. so here is my question am i still able to buy packs and other instruments on it and am i still able to update it without the serial key?

The hardware serial for your unit is displayed in the firmware via MENU > PREFERENCES > INFO. Go to the akaipro.com site, create an inmusic account and register your MPC using the hardware serial. You'll then have access to all the extras included with your MPC, such as MPC Software activation code, various freebies, plus you'll need the account to use the paid plugins (should you ever buy them).

The only issue could be that the serial is still registered with the previous owner, so if you get an error when registering the serial you'll have to contact Akai and explain the situation, they'll reset everything for you.

Chantel Jensen wrote:so i saw a pretty good deal on a mpc one although it has no serial code is that a big problem? he said its not if i am not planning to use it with a computer. so here is my question am i still able to buy packs and other instruments on it and am i still able to update it without the serial key?

Like Tutor said, the actual hardware serial is under the Preferences. My question is: why does the seller claim it has no serial? If the serial was forcibly scratched off of the bottom, then that suggests it is stolen, which is an entirely different subject. And if the serial isn't displaying in the software under the Preferences, then the main OS has been tampered with, which.. again... do the math.

EnochLight wrote:

Chantel Jensen wrote:so i saw a pretty good deal on a mpc one although it has no serial code is that a big problem? he said its not if i am not planning to use it with a computer. so here is my question am i still able to buy packs and other instruments on it and am i still able to update it without the serial key?

Like Tutor said, the actual hardware serial is under the Preferences. My question is: why does the seller claim it has no serial? If the serial was forcibly scratched off of the bottom, then that suggests it is stolen, which is an entirely different subject. And if the serial isn't displaying in the software under the Preferences, then the main OS has been tampered with, which.. again... do the math.

Yea maybe you have a point

I guess there could be a legit reason for the serial sticker to have fallen off or been removed, but yes, buyer beware. Serial not displayed in the firmware was actually a known bug in MPC 2.7 on some units, Akai Force as well, but firmware update solved this. I've not heard of anyone removing the serial by hacking the software, not sure if that's possible.

There IS a way to change the hardcoded serial, but you gotta do some crazy witchcraft in one of the service modes, have a bunch of cables ready so it can complete the diagnostics, and finally at the end you can enter/re-register the serial.. There's a thread on it here someone posted about fixing the missing serial number issue some of them had.

Or a Board Replacement

40Beatz wrote:Or a Board Replacement

Yeah that throws off some of our products. The activation/license for one of our casting applications for our big whiteboard displays is tied to the MAC address which is on the main board. Service most of the time is just swapping a board and reflashing it. Almost every time there's a service call, we get a follow up call the next day 'HELP MY CASTING SAYS ITS NOT ACTIVATED NOW' haha.

Easy fix. PM me if you buy it.