well reformatting my computer is both a good thing and a bad thing

when i reformatted and loaded 3ds max 5 again, it asked for a authorization code... i typed in my previous one and it said that it has the max authorization for the product.. Discreet said send it back and we will send you another one.. I have not received my new 3ds max 5 in about a week. However, my plasma has been running fine on the same authorization code and this is a good thing because now i am starting to go through the tutorial book and learn more about plasma which wouldn't happen if i still had MAX.