Office key

[OceanMock]

I have a similar problem (filed under stupid things to do this week). I
recently replaced my laptop HD with a new one (larger, more room for more
stuff). Kept the old drive intact for now, since I still have files I want to
transfer over (mostly pix) and some powerpoint pres. that I need.

anyway, when I went to reinstall MSOffice, the stickypad note with the CDkey
on it is missing.

I went through all of my folders/install paperwork/ cardboard holders/ notes
disc holders etc that discs and things come in, I have the little book that
comes with it, the larger book with all the how to stuff but not the key for
installing the thing (usually I write them down in teh books. I moved the
disc from the original packaging into a plastic holder because the original
took up too much room in the laptop case when I was travelling). Stupid thing
to do I know, especially now that I can't FIND the thing.

I have all my OTHER program keys and info written down in THEIR how-to
books, but somehow missed that one (figures!).

anyway, do you think the key info might still be on the other drive?
Embedded somewhere or other -maybe in that mess of
"files-you-should-never-touch" otherwise known as the registry ?

any help I can get would be very much appreciated. I got the program from
Fry's, but it was a long time ago when I first got the laptop, at least three
years.

thanks for any help you can provide...

hopefully I will nto have to replace it. If I do, can I use the newer
version of Office (2007) on my regular computer (running XPPro) -if it will
run- and install my version of office 2003 from that computer to the laptop?

Hope this makes sense to you guys.

thanks for the help -

 

[Another Brian]

If you can just put the old HD back in and boot from it and if any
Office app. will open, you can download Belarc Advisor and it will
tell you the product key. The only possible gotcha would be if the
edition of Office was OEM and came with the PC. In that case the key
that BA will show you is the volume key that the PC manufacturer used,
not the one assigned to you. You can find BA at
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Good luck.

Brian

 

[OceanMock]

thanks Brian - I will try that. Does the HD have to be the C drive (boot
drive)? We installed the new (larger) drive and planned to use the older
smaller one as a backup. It is in a case with a USB (I think) connecter.
Hubby did the work - I am NOT a computer expert as you may be able to tell.

If this will work it would be terrific... I will give it a try tonight (well
he will... I will just watch). Fingers crossed forl uck!

This time I will write it down in a SAFE place so I do nto lose it again.

still can't believe I did that... looked in several other places it might
possibly have been placed but no luck. Found a lot of other stuff though.

thanks again.

 

[Another Brian]

Assuming that you haven't already learned this, you must be able to
boot from the old drive which means that it must be C:.

Brian

 

[snobunny]

Hi Deborah,
I am new to the Microsoft Office board. I have a Sony Vaio Notebook which
was purchased in 2006 it is running Windows XP Professional. Microsoft Office
2003 trial version was pre-installed on my computer. I have used office 2003
since I purchased my computer. In November, my computer went out and would
not even restore using the restore disc's. Sony agreed to check it out & fix
it if possible. The hard drive had to be replaced and I was told that I woud
receive the computer back with factory settings exactly like it was when I
purchased it. I agreed to repair it but never realized that I would loose my
product key and that Sony would refuse to help me with this issue. Sony told
me to contact Microsoft. Microsoft told me to contact Sony. I feel like a
dog chasing my tail. No one wants to take responsibility. If I was going to
get my computer back "Exactly like it was when I purchased it" then why
wasn't I provided a replacement product key? I told both companies that I
evidentally mistakenly threw away the card that the product key was on. Why
put an important piece of information on a post card??? The key should have
been on the bottom of the computer like all the other stickers. I paid
nearly $3000 for a Business version and cannot access my business documents.
I could have spent half of that and downloaded office free on-line. I have a
bad taste in my mouth, so to speak, for both Sony & Microsoft and I am
seriously considering doing business with Apple.
Thank you for your time.


Snobunny

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

It's not Microsoft or Sony's fault that you did not keep the key. There are
programs out there that you could have run to get all of your product keys
so you could store them in a secure location. And if you paid $3000 for
Office, you must have been walking around with a target on your back.

As for doing business with Apple, you could buy a copy of Office for Mac and
still have the same issues.

Product keys = money. You really should keep track of them like you would
any investment.

 

[Bob I]

The nearly $3000 included the laptop. Office would have been only about
$600 of that.

 

[Tom Willett]

No one wants to take responsibility. If I was going to

No, YOU don't want to take responsibility for your own actions.


I told both companies that I
: evidentally mistakenly threw away the card that the product key was on.
Why
: put an important piece of information on a post card???

YOU threw it away. YOU should have paid attention. Perhaps they should have
put it on a billboard in front of your house?

The key should have
: been on the bottom of the computer like all the other stickers.

What "all" other stickers? Ludicrous statement.

 

[Peter Foldes]

You fault and nobody else's. You should have kept the key in a secure place

 

[Michael]

Hi Deborah,
I am new to the Microsoft Office board. I have a Sony Vaio Notebook which
was purchased in 2006 it is running Windows XP Professional. Microsoft
Office
2003 trial version was pre-installed on my computer.

<snipped brainless diatribe>

Just for you, snobunny<LOOOOL!!!>, Microsoft will send an employee to each
and every consumer who purchases any Microsoft product and their only
responsibility will be to babysit the brainless, such as yourself.

 

[Susan Ramlet]

Hi, snobunny,

While it is, indeed, your responsibility to keep your license information,
if you have an immediate need and no $ to purchase Office, try OpenOffice
(http://www.openoffice.org). It's a free productivity suite that has some
compatibility with Microsoft Office applications.

BTW, Apple's awesome, but they would agree that it's your responsibility to
keep track of what you own.

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

I would hope so but............?

 

[Dodgette]

Beth this is a fairly old post. Are you still navigating your way through
this site? If so, do you think MS would provide a key if I have a
"downloaded" version in lieu of ever having the hard copy?
Dodge

 

[DL]

A download version provides you with both an installation file, which you
should have saved to external media, as apparently you didn't pay extra for
the cd, and an email containing the key, which you should also have saved to
external media.
Now if you have proof of purchase, ie a receipt then
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326246