Re: Can't Install Microsoft Works
- From: reba2121 <reba2121@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 16:16:01 -0800
Wow, thank you so much for your help. Here are the answers to your questions
to the best of my ability. (I thank you for explaining this to me in terms I
can understand!!)
A)The version of Microsoft Works is 4.5
B) My computer is a Compaq Presario S6000NX (Is that what you needed?)
C) My operating system is Microsoft Windows XP, Home Edition, Version 2002
D) I bought it at Staples (came with the computer) in Rockland, Maine, USA
Thanks again. I really appreciate your help!!
"John McGhie [MVP - Word and Word Macinto" wrote:
When we're working with computers, we need to use names and terms very.
precisely, otherwise we set people off down the wrong path and never get
where we want.
The phrase "beyond them" is not a good description of what HP Support meant.
What they really meant is "This is not a problem that we are permitted to
solve, you must ring Microsoft". I am very interested why they said that:
I assume they have detected from your product key that the version you have
is not one that they sold.
When Microsoft Works says your product ID number "is invalid" that is all it
means: the number is *currently* invalid. This also means "and it will
never be valid in the future".
But either you are typing in the wrong number, or the number you have *was
valid* at some time in the past. One of four things has happened:
1) You have purchased a stolen copy of the software and the product key
never was valid.
2) Someone else has stolen your product key and used it, which means your
key now can't be used for you.
3) Someone has stolen a whole series of product keys for that product, and
Microsoft has cancelled them all.
4) The copy you have is an Original Equipment Manufacturer copy, and it's
not for the manufacturer of the computer you have. (You can buy software
for one quarter of the street price from a computer manufacturer, but the
key you get will install only on a computer made by that manufacturer.)
The most likely is number 3. Product keys from time to time "escape" into
the wild and turn up on the Internet. After the third or fourth person
tries to install using the same key, Microsoft disables the whole series :-)
Anyway, it's fairly simply to solve this. You need a new product key!
However, there's an extra complication in your case: if you purchased an OEM
copy it's HP's job to give it to you. If you purchased a copy elsewhere,
it's the reseller's job to get it for you.
I just rang my contact at Microsoft. We can short-circuit this process; but
we need to prove that the copy you have is both genuine and not stolen. To
do that, I need a bit more detail from you:
A) What version of Works do you have (it's written on the CD or on the box
if you got a box)
B) What computer are you trying to install it on? Name of the manufacturer
and Product ID. (If it's HP there will be a little black and white sticker
either on the back or on the bottom of the case with "Service Tag" written
on it. We need the information from that.
C) What operating system do you NOW have installed? Go to Start>Control
Panel>System and tell me what it says there.
D) Where did you buy it (City, State, and Country you were in when you
purchased it)
Pop back here with those four pieces of information and I will be able to
get you the phone number to ring.
Cheers
On 23/1/07 11:39 AM, in article
8011A82B-6AFA-403A-9C02-4383DD2ABE9C@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, "reba2121"
<reba2121@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi, there. I have had my computer for two years and have never been able to
install Microsoft Works because it says my product ID# is invalid. What do I
do? I'm so frustrated. I contacted HP support and they said it's beyond them
and I needed to contact Microsoft support......HELP!
--
Please reply to the newsgroup to maintain the thread. Please do not email
me unless I ask you to.
John McGhie <john@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Microsoft MVP, Word and Word for Macintosh. Business Analyst, Consultant
Technical Writer.
Sydney, Australia +61 (0) 4 1209 1410
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