RE: office pro will not reinstall on new computer

From: vishal subramaniam (vishalsu_at_microsoft.com)
Date: 06/24/04 

Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2004 03:00:43 GMT

vishalsu@online.microsoft.com

ISSUE:
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As you can see the problem is a 2000 Office Pro that I
have run on a a windows 98 second editon for 3 years. I
have tried to install it on a Windows XP purchased a
couple of days ago. Each time that I try it says that the
product key I have used is invalid. Any help out there.

RESOLUTION:
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You are prompted for the product key when you open an Office program
View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q321346
SYMPTOMS
When you open a Microsoft Office program, you see the user information
screen, which prompts you for your user name, initials, organization, and
product key. After you type all of the requested information, you receive
the following error message:

Please enter a valid product key to use this product - setup has detected
that the product key is missing or invalid. You will find this 25-character
key on your Certificate of Authenticity or the yellow sticker on the back
of the case.
CAUSE
This problem occurs when there is more than one installation of Microsoft
Office or an Office program on your computer, and the installations are
conflicting.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this problem, remove the duplicate program (for example,
Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, or Microsoft Office XP Small Business
Edition), and then install Office or the Office program again.
MORE INFORMATION
This issue may occur when another Office suite (such as Standard,
Professional, or Premium) or an Office standalone program (such as Word,
Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, or Microsoft Publisher) is installed on the
computer before you install Office XP or Office 2000.

For example, some original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) sell computers
with Microsoft Works Suite 2002 already installed. (Microsoft Works Suite
includes Word.) If you install Office XP, the earlier installation of Word
is not replaced, because the two installations are the same version.
Therefore, when you open Word, you are prompted for the product key.

LINKS:
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http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;237957
hth
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