Hi eabartow,
This shouldn't be happening if you've installed correctly with the latest version. To be certain the necessary files are able to install successfully, you can first try following this guide:
After doing so, to be thorough, please reboot and try launching the program again. If for some reason this fails to resolve the activation issue, you can try uninstalling, and then reinstalling from this download link:
If there are any errors during process of installing itself, please let us know what they say. After reinstalling from the link above, to thorough, please reboot and try launching again.
A more thorough "purge" of all files can also be attempted, if necessary, to make sure of complete removal before installation. You can follow this guide to do this:
Once the purge is complete, please reboot as prompted, and then install using the latest version from the trial link below:
If there any errors during process of installing, please let us know what they say. If the installation is successful and there are no errors, your trial should successfully send your verification email.
Best regards,
Adam McGuinness
Stardock Support Specialist