I’ve been trying to activate my copy of the Unity 3 (mac) beta all day.
Internet and manual activation both fail. Internet activation fails with error code -5000 “unknown error,” and manual activation say the license file is invalid.
I’ve tried reinstalling and rebooting multiple times. I can’t tell if the error is in the authentication system, or with my system (MacBook Pro 2007 running 10.6.4)
I solved the problem.
I needed to give “everyone” read write permissions to the “Application Support/PACE Anti-Piracy/License Files” directory.
For some reason only “system” had write permissions on that folder.
Glad you got it working.
Sorry to bubble up a slightly older post, but I’m attempting to run Unity, and each time I try to register I’m getting the error stated above and reposted below on my late 2008 MacBook Pro (dual Intel 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM):
"Error #-5000 while verifying your authorization.
Unknown error."
I’ve found quite a few references to PACE/iLok drivers as well as disk permissions being the cause of this error, and so attempted to fix the problem using the methods described by their posters. The attempted fixes involve running “Repair Disk Permissions” in the disk utility, and uninstalling the PACE/iLok driver, then reinstalling it. I do have other software that requires the iLok for operation, so I need to have that installed and functional.
Obviously, I’m still getting the error, so any further information the community might be able to provide is highly welcome. I’m attempting to get familiar with the engine so we can use it during a kids game development camp, but being unable to use it on my own machine is (needless to say) hindering my ability to experiment with it 
I too am getting this error and have no fix.
SYSTEM CONFIG: Mac osx 10.6.4 on a macbook pro 2.26 ghz intel core duo, 2gb memory
I have tried have tried repairing the file permission, changing the read write access to the application directory and to the unity directories, but that doesn’t work.
I can’t find this application support directory to change the write access - I am a mac user, is this the right directory?
This forum suggests i need to uninstall some anti piracy software?
http://forum.unity3d.com/viewtopic.php?t=15376&highlight=error+5000
I havent done that ( and surely i should not have to, as I am a paying user? ) - I am just after the definitive fix.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Please contact support@unity3d.com about activation problems. They will definitely be able to get you going.
Thanks andeeee
I had the same issue after re-installing my system via Time Machine (Macbook as at Apple repair center). The problem was that Unity did not accept my serial nor wanted to run as trial. Always the -5000 error.
For me the solution was (like above written) to check the permission for the PACE folder, but precisely the files down in that PACE folder were some read-only although the topmost PACE folder had the correct permissions. What I did was via the finder to set the permissions recursively down like the topmost PACE folder and suddenly I was able to register again Unity.
Here’s the screenshot (although a german OSX, the menu point should be easy to find). Note that you first need to click the unlock button, enter the password for your user, then check the permissions of the folder (not in your home directory!)
/Library/Application Support/PACE Anti-Piracy/
It should look like this (read-write permission). Then apply exatly these changes down to all files and folders in the PACE directory. After that, lock that locker icon again, start Unity, press authorize and it will work!
Hope this helps if someone runs into this like I did, even if I resurrected now an old thread.
Error #5000 - be sure to change the /License folders permission and the top-level PACE directory.
works now. and THANKS!