License

E

Edwin

I got Office Professional 2007 from Microsoft Event a while ago. Now I want
to reinstall my computer, can I install it again with the same key?
 
M

minimage

in message
I got Office Professional 2007 from Microsoft Event a while ago. Now I want
to reinstall my computer, can I install it again with the same key?
Click to expand...

I asked about this at a TechNet event in recent weeks, but more because
of the October activation deadline. I was told if there is a problem
getting Office back onto the same hardware, a phone call to Microsoft
should take care that.


TW
 
Z

zommbee

Not to be antagonistic, I went through this very thing just yesterday.
The first half hour of the call (with long stints on hold of course)
was spent explaining why I shouldn't have to pay $49 for this help.
The second half hour (with long stints on hold) was spent being
transfered from one Indian help agent to another , none of whom seemed
to grasp my question.

The solution? I finally just installed the software, and it accepted
the code with no issues.

Calling the IRS or Dell Tech Support are MUCH better than trying to
actually speak to a knowledgeable support person at Microsoft.

Dave
Zommbee
 
B

Bob I

I am trying to puzzle out why you would call a "pay for support" line,
instead of just installing the the software in the first place? The
charges are there to discourage that type of behavior.
 
Z

zommbee

It's very simple - my C: drive died, so there was now no way t
'unregister' the software. If the Uninstall utility cannot be used
how will the Microsoft system know to make that license key availabl
to a new computer? When I tried to activate the first time, it told m
I would need to purchase more licenses because both (desktop and laptop
were already activated.

At least that's how it's supposed to work... the person I talked t
plugged in UPC numbers, registration key numbers, etc. and as I wa
transfered from one confused person to another, no one could seem t
figure out what I was trying to do. All I knew was BOTH license
(desktop and laptop) of that box had been installed on computers, s
both keys were registered as 'in use'.

But then, after the frustrating hour on the phone, it installed an
when I went online to activate, their system said OK and it's now u
and running. I think the confused people I talked to simpl
deactivated both installations on their end, and that's why it worked.


Dave
Zommbe
 
B

Bob I

There is no "unregister", never has been. "Uninstalling" sends no
information to Microsoft. I suspect if you had called the "activate by
phone method" number supplied, all of "hoop jumping" you did would have
been completely avoided.
 
Z

zommbee

Hi guys - thanks for the informed responses

So can one of you explain then what is happening when you 'activate'
I know from personal experience that I am simply not able to instal
Office 2003 on more computers than the license calls for. I have
computers in my office with several 'matching' laptops, and I'v
purchased Office 2003 with 2 license pack
for each of them. I tried installing on more than one pair, and I go
a notice saying my licenses were used up

And I know that when I uninstalled it on one desktop when we replace
it, that it then installed fine on the new box

So if Microsoft isn't reading my MAC address and associating it wit
the related license key, how do they then know that I've used up m
licenses
I have always thought that when you 'activate' your software, it read
the hardware MAC address of the machine and marries it to the licens
key. Is this not correct? What then is the activate function actuall
doing, in a technical sense? (Obviously it makes the software work - bu
what is the process that's happening in the background?

This has long been a curiosity for me and I appreciate any light yo
can shed on how this process actually works, for future reference

Thanks again for your input

Dav
 
B

Bob I

If it works remotely like the Windows one, the info "times out" and you
may reinstall without the phone call. Reinstalling to the SAME PC just
generates the same hash code and it flies thru with out issue.
 
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