I just read--an likely forgot this happened--that Renderosity bought Poser from--was it--Bondware?
Well, nevertheless, I had stopped acquiring new versions of Poser at Poser 11 (Smith Micro).
Then the computer on which I had installed Poser versions 6, 9, & 11, had a hard drive failure.
It had been running Windows 8.  But I acquired a full version of Windows 8.1 for the new hard drive.

So, I recently tried to install Poser 11, but couldn't get past the registration routine; I think because
by that time, they wanted you to install online, and the PC of which I speak was never online.
I only did creative work on it.
Then, this evening I tried installing Poser 9, thinking I'd have more luck.  (I also noted Poser nine
was compatible with Windows 8--not yet 8.1.   I filled in the registration field, told it to "manually"
register (likely not possible?), and hit enter, but got something about Windows firewall having
a problem with Poser.  I tried the compatibility function of Win 8, and when I restarted the
program, the dialog box came up "Poser executable file has stopped working", "windows will
notify you if a solution is available. The first time I tried this, another dialogue box came up behind
the 'problem' one, and it was the compatibility mode...perhaps needing me to get it to work with
an earlier version of Windows, since I tried inputting Win 8 when I told compatibility what to do.

Anyway, have any of you had this problem, but somehow got around it? 
Well, I'm thinking my programs are now, basically, TOAST, and would have to
buy the new, full version of Poser, and not just an update.  I haven't contacted
Renderosity about this.  Maybe it's a lost cause?

Any help appreciated, from a "wishful thinker".

Poser - 3D Rendering & Animation Software (posersoftware.com)

Go here and use your Poser 11 serial number and you should be able to download Poser 11.  Bondware bought Poser from Smith Micro and updated it with version 11.3 to remove the Smith Micro server and put in their own.  Your version of 11 is trying to contact Smith Micro and they no longer support activations of 11 or 10GD.  Older versions should work as long as your machine has the required support files.  Poser 9 I think required Flash which has been removed from the internet for security reasons.  You might try to fix a replacement for flash, and it may work to let Poser 9 work.

Just to add... that a valid Poser 12 serial can be had for $48 from graphixly .com and (whatever the specs say) it will run on Windows 8.x. If you'r doing photoreal rather than line-art / comic-book / sketch, then it will be a big time saver and would probably pay for itself in terms of electricity costs to run the graphics-card over a year. That's assuming you also have a fast graphics card.

Thanks, Poser - 3D Rendering & Animation Software (posersoftware.com);
So, you're saying, I can download P11 at your link.  Hopefully, it's just a download and not an immediate download/install.
That's because I'm still keeping the old computer free of internet access.  I mean, I can download (only) to the machine
I'm using here, and then transfer the download to the old computer.  I wouldn't want it installed on this machine here.

HartyBart what you describe sounds like an "under the table" sort of thing, which I don't think I'd trust, even if it is just a serial number.
Thanks anyway. 

The download is just a download. It's not an auto-install. However, your computer will need to be online to activate periodically.

If you want the latest version of Poser, you are eligible for the upgrade price with Poser 11 https://www.renderosity.com/marketplace/products/159005/poser-13-upgrade-windows-and-mac

https://www.renderosity.com/users/RedPhantom
I see, thanks.  But the periodic activation idea bugs me, because I've always kept the old computer offline. 
So I either accept, or don't use Poser any more.
Maybe I'll go over to Daz instead, but then, just recalled, they're no different.  I think their lighting/renderer
is superior (Unless Poser has finally gotten there).  But I think their figures aren't as adjustable, morph wise,
with small adjustments to prevent the usual completely symmetrical "doll face" one often see in images
made with it, like Poser can.  I've never liked Poser's figures, and had been using Victoria, mainly.
Oh well, there may be a solution yet...

Or just spring for Poser 13; which, probably would need a more up to date computer.

It use to be that you could contact support here and request an extended activation.  It would not hurt to put in a ticket and find out what they say.  Poser 13 is much better then 11.  You can download a trial version at the same link I posted earlier.  The Trial is the same as the regular version, just that it will only work for 21 days.

marcwhosis - no, it's a legit offer of Poser 12. Take a look at their site.