Upgrade from 2004 to 2008 - PLEASE HELP URGENT

[mikepalmeruk]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

Hi there,

I just purchased an upgrade form 2004 to 2008 office for Mac. I downloaded the SW and followed the instructions for install.

Part of that was to find older versions on my mac and remove them, which I did.

I then launched Entourage and it told me to complete the install i need to locate the older version which earlier it told me to delete.

I dont have the install disks so what can I do to get my upgrade working???

Thanks

Mike

 

[mikepalmeruk]

Just managed to speak to MS technical support who told me there is NOTHING I can do unless I get a copy of 2004 back on my machine to verify the upgrade.

If I can't they suggest I buy a full version at my cost.

I told them they must be kidding and that the install process should NOT have asked me to delete my 2004 if it was required to finish the upgrade.

She agreed and told me to write a note to the developers in the feedback section of any of the office products. I reminded her that I cannot launch any programs so how could I do that!!!!

Unbelievable for a company like MS to make such a bad upgrade process. Confirms my view that unless you have to NEVER use their software.

If i could only talk my IT dept into letting me use apple mail I would be rid of all MS software :0(

 

[Diane Ross]

Just managed to speak to MS technical support who told me there is NOTHING I
can do unless I get a copy of 2004 back on my machine to verify the upgrade.

When you use the upgrade DVD, it first looks for the previous install. If it
asked you to delete before it verified, something is wrong. Once it saw the
previous version, it should have completed.

You do realize that every time you would have to re-install, you would have
to show the previous upgrade?

I'll see what I can find out and get back.

 

[Diane Ross]

I then launched Entourage and it told me to complete the install i need to
locate the older version which earlier it told me to delete.

On second thought, I think you might be misunderstanding what Entourage is
asking. It wants you to locate your Office 2004 Identity. That was not
deleted by the installer. Try again. Open Entourage and select to import
from "an archive or earlier version". Navigate to the Microsoft User Data
folder in Documents. Your Identity is in the Office 2004 Identities folder.

Check in Applications/ Microsoft Office 2008. If the install had not
completed, this folder would not be there.

Next check the Microsoft Component Plugin. What version is it?

/Applications/Microsoft Office
2008/Office/MicrosoftComponentPlugin.framework

If all this is correct, you need to make a backup of the Office folder in
case you need to ever re-install.

 

[mikepalmeruk]

Hi Diane,

Thanks for trying to help but I have tried your suggestion and select the folder in Microsoft User Data but it just keeps telling the folder I selected has no software in to upgrade.

So it is looking for the applications that the installer told me to delete!!!

I have time machine running on my mac so hopefully I can re-install from 2004 from there and then be good to go.

What a nightmare though

Mike

 

[Diane Ross]

Thanks for trying to help but I have tried your suggestion and select the
folder in Microsoft User Data but it just keeps telling the folder I selected
has no software in to upgrade.

Then it is the installer looking for the application and not the import of
the Identity.

So it is looking for the applications that the installer told me to delete!!!

I have time machine running on my mac so hopefully I can re-install from 2004
from there and then be good to go.

Simply drag back the Office 2004 folder to applications and point to that.

 

[Diane Ross]

Mike, can you take some screenshots of the install where it's asking for the
older version and send them to me off list. I'm submitting a ticket on this
and having the screenshot would help.

dianeross at mvps dot org <-- fix before replying.

Prefix your subject with: newsgroup response

 

[Diane Ross]

In case you have not deleted the trash....

The remove Office functionality that is in the installer only moves Office
to the trash, it does not delete it. So, perhaps you can find your copy of
Office in the trash can.

 

[mikepalmeruk]

It suggests you empty trash also though, which I did...

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Mike;

You're in good hands with Diane so I'm only jumping in to make a suggestion
on one of the tangential aspects of your dilemma

Just managed to speak to MS technical support who told me there is NOTHING I
can do...

I understand your frustration with statements like this, but remember that
your initial call is being handled by Tier 1 minimum wage newly hired
trainees... And this isn't just Microsoft or the computer industry in
general, it's a global fact in virtually any field where 'customer service'
or 'tech support' exists for any purpose [although I recognize that there
are exceptions, but they're rare]. Tier 1 support is always the most limited
because it exists mainly as a screening mechanism to ward of the less
complex issues & the least persistent callers.

As soon as you get a response that sounds at all like "No" or "I can't..."
insist on speaking to the next step up the food chain... And if that one
isn't more able to assist you go the next rung up the ladder. If you're
going to accept the inevitable rejection Tier 1 is designed to deliver you
might as well not even make the call

Case in point: Thursday, I had an issue with a Credit Card & Tier 1 response
was "I can waive the $10.xx interest charges but the $39.00 fee *can't* be
waived because it is more than 90 days old. There's nothing I can do about
that." I said "Thank you very much, but now let me speak to your
supervisor.", which he did. In less that 3 minutes the interest *&* the fee
[that *couldn't* be waived] were expunged from my account.

I'm not saying that you'll always get your way, but if your request is
within reason you'll sooner or later hit a level of authority that not only
realizes it but also has the grunt to do something about it.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Diane Ross]

It suggests you empty trash also though, which I did...

Let me see what I can find out and get back.

 

[Diane Ross]

Mike,

Can you contact me off list so I will have your email to give to my contacts
if needed.

dianeross at mvps dot org <-- fix before replying.

Prefix your subject with: newsgroup response