Can I make an unlicensed copy of Office legal, without a reinstall

A

ann

My relative (really!) runs Window 98 with Office 2000 Small Business. He
suspects that the Office software might not be legal. If this turns out to
be true, then what?

Does Microsoft allow him to pay money and make his copy legal or does he
need to go out and purchase a legal copy and uninstall/reinstall. Any other
options? He has not been doing his updates and I suspect he will be asked for
the (non-existent) disk if he tries to install Service Packs. He believes he
should get legal and hopes it won't be too painful.

If he must buy a new copy of Office, should he put Office 2003 on top of
Win98?
 
C

Chris Schatte

ann,
See this page
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/do...a2-6a57-4c57-a8bd-dbf62eda9671&displaylang=en
and yes your relative can pay money and get legal copies of any illegal
software. Just purchase it legally. Updates will require the original
installation media.
System requirements for Office 2003 can be found here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/prodinfo/sysreq.mspx

Chris Schatte

use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities
 
A

ann

I'm trying to do figure out if his copy of Office 2000 already installed is
legal. The website you mentioned discusses Windows and I already know his
Win98 is legal. When I tried to run Office updates, the download ran and then
the Service Pack required the non-existent install disk. Does this mean that
he's passed the check for a valid licence or does that test happen later? Or
not at all?

If his copy of Office is legal, how do I get another copy of the install
disk so that he can apply updates? People must lose or break their disks, so
I'm hoping someone else has blazed this trail.

If illegal, can I make HIS copy legal by paying money? Going to a store and
buying a new copy, then uninstalling, reinstalling, and recustomizing would
be my last choice. If I have to do that, can I buy Office 2000? I see from
the link you sent that Office 2003 requires a minimum of Win 2000 and he has
no plans to upgrade his Win 98. I was unable to locate a page showing the
System Requirements for Office 2002, to check if it will run on Win98. I'd
appreciate if you can find that one for me.

I heard that Microsoft was starting a program to help customers make their
software legal. It was something about $10 if you lived in China, etc. I
expect we'd get to pay full price in North America but it would certainly be
less painful to write a check than to do an uninstall/reinstall/reset all the
customization.

I'd appreciate whatever info you can dig up. Ann
 
C

Chris Schatte

ann,
you'll need the original installation media to apply service packs. To get
another copy of Office 2000 you'll need to try a site like ebay, since
Microsoft does not supply these anymore. If you purchase a newer copy of
Office like 2003 you'll still need the original installation disks to verify
the original installation.
Office XP and 2000 will run on Windows '98.

Chris Schatte

use the Office Online web based newsreader here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx
In Office System 2003 applications:
Help/Assistance Pane/open Communities
 
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