Re: Can't activate a copy of office pro 2003

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Download the Windows INstaller Cleanup Utility - manually remove any reference to Office 2003 products. Reboot, then install using your Office 2003 CD.

I have seen more headaches caused by people using the Trial version when they have no intention of purchasing it. Microsoft should make it an optional installation rather than installed and then activated once some poor soul opens a program using it.


--?
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, laura asked:

| I am sorry that this is the 3000-th time someone has posted on this
| issue. I can't tell if my circumstances are unique or if I am just
| dense.
|
| I purchased a Sony VAIO - as you might expect it came with NO original
| source media. It was pre-installed with a copy of office 2003. I
| forget the particular version.
|
| I have purchased a copy of office pro 2003 and I have the media CD.
|
| I can't recall if I installed the purchased office pro, or if I ran
| the trial -- I am pretty sure I installed from the CD because it is
| the full blown pro version incl. access.
|
| As of a few days ago, all of my office apps went into a view only
| state.
| The type of behavior that would indicate that the trial has expired.
|
| Thinking that I am crazy and never upgraded, I tried to "active" my
| copy of office. In order to upgrade to the "full" version I tried
| help > "activate product" in several different office applications.
| NOTHING HAPPENS. As per some credible looking instructions online, I
| tried deleting the dat file located in "C:\Documents and Settings\All
| Users\Application Data\Microsoft\OFFICE\DATA", but that didn't help
| -- the next time i opened the app an office installer dialog would
| appear and then the dat files would re-appear.
|
| In a rage, i just uninstalled office and reinstalled off the CD i
| purchased. I figured that investment of 10 minutes would solve all my
| problems . . . no dice I am still in the same boat.
|
| Then i noticed another application on my desktop . . . and in the
| "Add or remove programs" list (lost in the clutter of the
| pre-installed garage software sony ships with) . . . a "Office 2003
| Trial Assistant". I tried to uninstall this, thinking that this was
| handcuffing my office . . . and of course I can't uninstall it. When
| I try to uninstall a windows installer dialog appears and says that a
| feature I am trying to use is not available. It appears to be looking
| for the AssistantSetup.msi in a temp directory that does not exist.
|
| Could someone please help point me in the right direction? I am
| getting very frustrated. Writing a paper is hard enough without
| having to sped 10 hours getting the application to start. I am
| getting to the point where I am going to *gasp* buy star office or
| even worse, use MS Works. Please help me off the ledge.
.



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