Windows XP reinstall, now need activation key for Office 2003

[ConDumbNation]

Greetings,

I have a problem which I've discovered is all too common, but for
which I've yet to find a solution.
I reinstalled Windows XP on my computer, but Microsoft Office 2003
didn't come along for the ride.
I now get messages asking for the product key or activation key. I do
not have the CD and I don't recall ever seeing one with this system.
The PC is a Dell desktop purchased 3 years ago with Office 2K3
preinstalled. Note: I have verified with Dell that the program was
purchased...it's not just some trial package. I've used this program
on this computer for the past 3 years.
The reinstall of Windows XP was done using a Dell/Symantec feature
called "PC Restore". It claims that the PC will revert to the initial
configuration from the day it was shipped. No CD was required; all
the info was taken from a hidden partition on the HD.
Calls to Dell have been fruitless; they just pass the buck along to
Microsoft, although they acknowledge that the PC was indeed shipped
with Office preinstalled.
Calls to Microsoft have also been unsuccessful; they state that the
product warranty has expired, and in order to further explain the
situation I must first pay in advance for technical support.

My problem seems to be a rather straightforward situation. I simply
want to reactivate Office on the very same computer it has resided
upon for the past 3 years.

I have very limited experience messing with the registry in XP, but
I'm aware that the information is probably buried there in some
encrypted form, that is unless the reinstall of XP wiped it out.

Is it possible to find this info ?

Thanks very much for any help you may be able to offer.

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

you are correct, it is a common
problem but it is a user created
problem.

users must be mindful of the value
of product keys, the value of making
backups and the value of storing
costly software in a safe place.

------------------------

when software comes preinstalled,
there are usually holographic
sticker with the product keys
on the computer somewhere.

if dell has confirmed that the
software is legit, then they should
give you the product keys.

sometimes, the purchase invoice
for the computer will list the
software and keys.

---------------

if the registry had the product key
as you believe, then the system
would not be asking you for it.

however, if there is a chance for
success then use a freeware called
siw (system information for windows)

whatever product keys you
have in the registry at this
time, it will show them to
you.

otherwise, you have no options
except to repurchase a new
license.

------------------

maybe you can try to restore
the computer to the state that
office was functional and then
extract the product keys.

then re-initiate the method
you chose to fix your system.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces

"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[ConDumbNation]

you are correct, it is a common
problem but it is a user created
problem.

users must be mindful of the value
of product keys, the value of making
backups and the value of storing
costly software in a safe place.

------------------------

when software comes preinstalled,
there are usually holographic
sticker with the product keys
on the computer somewhere.

if dell has confirmed that the
software is legit, then they should
give you the product keys.

sometimes, the purchase invoice
for the computer will list the
software and keys.

---------------

if the registry had the product key
as you believe, then the system
would not be asking you for it.

however, if there is a chance for
success then use a freeware called
siw (system information for windows)

whatever product keys you
have in the registry at this
time,  it will show them to
you.

otherwise, you have no options
except to repurchase a new
license.

------------------

maybe you can try to restore
the computer to the state that
office was functional and then
extract the product keys.

then re-initiate the method
you chose to fix your system.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
 - Systems Analyst
 - Database Developer
 - Accountancy
 - Veteran of the Armed Forces

"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for the input.
I checked the outside of the computer again but the sticker for Office
isn't there.
The sticker for XP is there but I ended up not needing it.

The feature I used: "PC Restore", only reverts the system back to
day one. I don't think it can bring the system forward again.
You surmised that if the system had the code in the registry it
wouldn't be asking for it. I think the info has to be there in order
for the authenticity check to occur...or maybe the initiation has to
be done on line...
Oh well, I guess I'll just keep fighting with Dell and Microsoft for
a while.
I may have to brush up on my Indian...
Thanks again for your input.

 

[bcleveland]

Hi
Maybe I can help?
My HP desktop crashed earlier this week taking my Office 2003 (and
other programs and applications) with it. I was able to find a key
online that worked at a site called mscrack.com - but in the final
stages of loading it prompted me for a SKU112.CAB file I didn't have so
I had to abandon hope there.
Ended up buying a Office 2007 (on sale at Best Buy for $99) as I had
documents and spreadshhets I had to access quickly for my work). I am
able to access my old files this way via searching for them and then
saving them as needed. Whew . . . and I have the option of savingthem in
the 2003 OR the 2007 format.
Also, in my searching I came across a FREE download from 'Belarc -
System Management For The Internet Age' (http://www.belarc.com) that I
will keep forever on my desktop - it audits all the programs and
hardware on your system - and provides a printout of all ID numbers and
KEYS on your system. I've printed mine and will keep it in the family
lockbox for the next time this happens.
Hope this helps.
Good luck.

 

[sunflower]

All I need is the product key I missed place it.

 

[JoAnn Paules]

I'd suggest you look for it. Without it, you have shiny frisbees.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

 

[Earle Horton]

He doesn't even have that. He forgot to order system restore media from
Dell, and all he has is a factory restore partition on his hard disk. There
is maybe a COA that came with Office (my copy of Office 2003 came with a
yellow sticker) but if he can't find it now...

Earle

I'd suggest you look for it. Without it, you have shiny frisbees.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

All I need is the product key I missed place it.

 

[db]

they make for lousy
frisbees but do sparkle
nicely from a windshield
mirror.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @hotmail.com
"share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'd suggest you look for it. Without it, you have shiny frisbees.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

All I need is the product key I missed place it.

 

[JoAnn Paules]

I got the impression that Sunflower hijacked the thread from someone else
and that she (?) had the disks but no key.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

He doesn't even have that. He forgot to order system restore media from
Dell, and all he has is a factory restore partition on his hard disk.
There is maybe a COA that came with Office (my copy of Office 2003 came
with a yellow sticker) but if he can't find it now...

Earle

I'd suggest you look for it. Without it, you have shiny frisbees.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

All I need is the product key I missed place it.

:

Greetings,

I have a problem which I've discovered is all too common, but for
which I've yet to find a solution.
I reinstalled Windows XP on my computer, but Microsoft Office 2003
didn't come along for the ride.
I now get messages asking for the product key or activation key. I do
not have the CD and I don't recall ever seeing one with this system.
The PC is a Dell desktop purchased 3 years ago with Office 2K3
preinstalled. Note: I have verified with Dell that the program was
purchased...it's not just some trial package. I've used this program
on this computer for the past 3 years.
The reinstall of Windows XP was done using a Dell/Symantec feature
called "PC Restore". It claims that the PC will revert to the initial
configuration from the day it was shipped. No CD was required; all
the info was taken from a hidden partition on the HD.
Calls to Dell have been fruitless; they just pass the buck along to
Microsoft, although they acknowledge that the PC was indeed shipped
with Office preinstalled.
Calls to Microsoft have also been unsuccessful; they state that the
product warranty has expired, and in order to further explain the
situation I must first pay in advance for technical support.

My problem seems to be a rather straightforward situation. I simply
want to reactivate Office on the very same computer it has resided
upon for the past 3 years.

I have very limited experience messing with the registry in XP, but
I'm aware that the information is probably buried there in some
encrypted form, that is unless the reinstall of XP wiped it out.

Is it possible to find this info ?

Thanks very much for any help you may be able to offer.

 

[Senja d''Nevada]

My case is I have the Product Key and two other Cds (Content CD and Step by
Step SC), but I lost the Installation CD.

Is there any way to reinstall my Office XP Standard? my system is Window XP
Pack 3.

Thank you so much.
--
d''Nevada

I got the impression that Sunflower hijacked the thread from someone else
and that she (?) had the disks but no key.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

He doesn't even have that. He forgot to order system restore media from
Dell, and all he has is a factory restore partition on his hard disk.
There is maybe a COA that came with Office (my copy of Office 2003 came
with a yellow sticker) but if he can't find it now...

Earle

I'd suggest you look for it. Without it, you have shiny frisbees.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"



All I need is the product key I missed place it.

:

Greetings,

I have a problem which I've discovered is all too common, but for
which I've yet to find a solution.
I reinstalled Windows XP on my computer, but Microsoft Office 2003
didn't come along for the ride.
I now get messages asking for the product key or activation key. I do
not have the CD and I don't recall ever seeing one with this system.
The PC is a Dell desktop purchased 3 years ago with Office 2K3
preinstalled. Note: I have verified with Dell that the program was
purchased...it's not just some trial package. I've used this program
on this computer for the past 3 years.
The reinstall of Windows XP was done using a Dell/Symantec feature
called "PC Restore". It claims that the PC will revert to the initial
configuration from the day it was shipped. No CD was required; all
the info was taken from a hidden partition on the HD.
Calls to Dell have been fruitless; they just pass the buck along to
Microsoft, although they acknowledge that the PC was indeed shipped
with Office preinstalled.
Calls to Microsoft have also been unsuccessful; they state that the
product warranty has expired, and in order to further explain the
situation I must first pay in advance for technical support.

My problem seems to be a rather straightforward situation. I simply
want to reactivate Office on the very same computer it has resided
upon for the past 3 years.

I have very limited experience messing with the registry in XP, but
I'm aware that the information is probably buried there in some
encrypted form, that is unless the reinstall of XP wiped it out.

Is it possible to find this info ?

Thanks very much for any help you may be able to offer.

 

[DL]

Only if you can prove purchase of a retail version
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246

My case is I have the Product Key and two other Cds (Content CD and Step
by
Step SC), but I lost the Installation CD.

Is there any way to reinstall my Office XP Standard? my system is Window
XP
Pack 3.

Thank you so much.
--
d''Nevada

I got the impression that Sunflower hijacked the thread from someone else
and that she (?) had the disks but no key.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

He doesn't even have that. He forgot to order system restore media
from
Dell, and all he has is a factory restore partition on his hard disk.
There is maybe a COA that came with Office (my copy of Office 2003 came
with a yellow sticker) but if he can't find it now...

Earle

I'd suggest you look for it. Without it, you have shiny frisbees.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"



All I need is the product key I missed place it.

:

Greetings,

I have a problem which I've discovered is all too common, but for
which I've yet to find a solution.
I reinstalled Windows XP on my computer, but Microsoft Office 2003
didn't come along for the ride.
I now get messages asking for the product key or activation key. I
do
not have the CD and I don't recall ever seeing one with this system.
The PC is a Dell desktop purchased 3 years ago with Office 2K3
preinstalled. Note: I have verified with Dell that the program was
purchased...it's not just some trial package. I've used this program
on this computer for the past 3 years.
The reinstall of Windows XP was done using a Dell/Symantec feature
called "PC Restore". It claims that the PC will revert to the
initial
configuration from the day it was shipped. No CD was required; all
the info was taken from a hidden partition on the HD.
Calls to Dell have been fruitless; they just pass the buck along to
Microsoft, although they acknowledge that the PC was indeed shipped
with Office preinstalled.
Calls to Microsoft have also been unsuccessful; they state that the
product warranty has expired, and in order to further explain the
situation I must first pay in advance for technical support.

My problem seems to be a rather straightforward situation. I simply
want to reactivate Office on the very same computer it has resided
upon for the past 3 years.

I have very limited experience messing with the registry in XP, but
I'm aware that the information is probably buried there in some
encrypted form, that is unless the reinstall of XP wiped it out.

Is it possible to find this info ?

Thanks very much for any help you may be able to offer.

 

[Senja d''''Nevada]

Thanks for the link.

I've just talked to the CS. Nothing they can do, it's an old version, no
replacement for that.

I guess I have to save buck by buck to purchase a new one or clean my room
to find the old one.

Thanks for your response.


--
d''''Nevada

Only if you can prove purchase of a retail version
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246

My case is I have the Product Key and two other Cds (Content CD and Step
by
Step SC), but I lost the Installation CD.

Is there any way to reinstall my Office XP Standard? my system is Window
XP
Pack 3.

Thank you so much.
--
d''Nevada

I got the impression that Sunflower hijacked the thread from someone else
and that she (?) had the disks but no key.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"



He doesn't even have that. He forgot to order system restore media
from
Dell, and all he has is a factory restore partition on his hard disk.
There is maybe a COA that came with Office (my copy of Office 2003 came
with a yellow sticker) but if he can't find it now...

Earle

I'd suggest you look for it. Without it, you have shiny frisbees.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"



All I need is the product key I missed place it.

:

Greetings,

I have a problem which I've discovered is all too common, but for
which I've yet to find a solution.
I reinstalled Windows XP on my computer, but Microsoft Office 2003
didn't come along for the ride.
I now get messages asking for the product key or activation key. I
do
not have the CD and I don't recall ever seeing one with this system.
The PC is a Dell desktop purchased 3 years ago with Office 2K3
preinstalled. Note: I have verified with Dell that the program was
purchased...it's not just some trial package. I've used this program
on this computer for the past 3 years.
The reinstall of Windows XP was done using a Dell/Symantec feature
called "PC Restore". It claims that the PC will revert to the
initial
configuration from the day it was shipped. No CD was required; all
the info was taken from a hidden partition on the HD.
Calls to Dell have been fruitless; they just pass the buck along to
Microsoft, although they acknowledge that the PC was indeed shipped
with Office preinstalled.
Calls to Microsoft have also been unsuccessful; they state that the
product warranty has expired, and in order to further explain the
situation I must first pay in advance for technical support.

My problem seems to be a rather straightforward situation. I simply
want to reactivate Office on the very same computer it has resided
upon for the past 3 years.

I have very limited experience messing with the registry in XP, but
I'm aware that the information is probably buried there in some
encrypted form, that is unless the reinstall of XP wiped it out.

Is it possible to find this info ?

Thanks very much for any help you may be able to offer.

 

[Gordon]

Thanks for the link.

I've just talked to the CS. Nothing they can do, it's an old version, no
replacement for that.

I guess I have to save buck by buck to purchase a new one or clean my
room
to find the old one.

Two other options - see if you can find someone who has the same version and
make a copy of the CD or look on EBay. It's not the CD you pay for, (well
you do, but it's peanuts) it's the Licence that is the thing that costs and
you still have that.