Registration

[Tricuul]

Running Windows 7 I could not use the default activation method prior to playing.

Once in the game, I went to registration. I did NOT register/give information. When you are given the option to select your internet connection or define a proxy you actually have a third weird option to use configuration from the registry (the second option from the top) - that successfully activated the game.

[Tricuul]

There in a manual.pdf in your steamapps/common folder for the game that answers a lot of questions in detail, including how to register:

SERIAL NUMBER
When you start the game for the first time, you'll be asked for a
serial number. This personal access code is on the back of the User
Manual or below the disc on the sticker in the digipack. Please enter
the correct code and click OK to start the game.

ACTIVATION
To get the most out of Dream Pinball 3D, you have to carry-out a one-off activation. You don't
have to activate the game right away - but until you do, you can only play on one of the six flipper
machines.
To activate Dream Pinball 3D later, click "Activation" in the game's main menu.
There are two ways to activate Dream Pinball 3D:

1) ONLINE ACTIVATION VIA THE INTERNET (RECOMMENDED)
This is the fastest and easiest method - AND you can register
as well at the same time. Registration isn't an absolute
must, but it offers you some interesting benefits. Only registered
customers can upload their highscore into the online
ranking list.

If you want to activate Dream Pinball 3D and register at the
same time, check the "Register" box, then click "Internet
Activation". Enter your registration data in the newly-opened
registration input screen and confirm by clicking "Register". You'll find more info on the
registration input screen in the "Registration" chapter.

If you only want to activate Dream Pinball 3D, remove the check mark from the "Register"
checkbox, and then click "Internet Activation".

When you click this button, the program automatically connects to the activation server
and completes the process in a few seconds. To do this, you must of course be connected
to the Internet.

In the new window, click "Next". Some Internet connections need additional details (e.g.
for proxy server or router access). In this case, click "Connection Settings" for more
details.

In most cases, clicking "Internet Direct Connection" and "Next" will suffice. If this
doesn't work, click "Use the preset configuration from the Win Registry", then
"Next".

This second option was what I had to use.