Question about SN/AK

Okay, I just got PSO PC. Is it possible to use the Serial Number/Access Key that I got with my Dreamcast version? Or does the PC version use completely different algorithims?

If you converted it to decimal it would work, though there would be no point in doing so. You'd still be unregistered, so your GC# would be based on your name. The only benefit would be you could hear lobby music and save Guild Cards, but you could do that just by making up your own serial as well.

Ah, okay.

Let me get this straight; from what I remember someone telling me a while ago, the only reason I'd want to register is so that nobody else could use my guild card? If I don't register, the only problem I'd face is not being able to play online if someone else with my number is playing online?

The point of a Guild Card is for people to be able to find you no matter what character you use. To accomplish this, Sega gave each copy of PSO with a unique set of serials, and thus no matter what character you used you had those serials, and thus a unique number. You could card me and then no matter what character you used I could see if you were online.

If you're registered here, it works the same way. If you're not registered, your GC# is based on your name so you have to card people for each and every one of your characters = big ass pain. In addition if you and someone else sign on with either the same name, or just happen to have the same GC# you'll get kicked off the Block because of it.