Product key for authentic MS Office is invalid, any thoughts?

W

Windows_User

I bought an authentic MS Office Professional Edition 2003 and the product key
on the back of the box is invalid. I've checked and rechecked the product
key to ensure I typed it correctly, but I had no luck -- still invalid. Any
thoughts?
 
D

DatabaseBen

is this like a brand spanking new install,
or the error is showing up eventhough the software
has been installed?
 
G

garfield-n-odie [MVP]

If your computer has a free trial of Office 2003 already
installed on it, then you need to uninstall the free trial
software before you install your purchased software. See
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=836178 "You receive an
'invalid product key' error message when you start an Office 2003
program after you install Office Professional Edition 2003" for
more information.
 
W

Windows_User

Thanks for the quick responses. My computer came with a free trial of Office
2003. Before I tried to install Office Professional Edition 2003, I actually
uninstalled the trial version through Add and Remove Programs. After reading
your response and the article, I did a quick check in my Program Files to see
if the trial version was completely uninstalled -- it wasn't. There are
still components from the trial version that did not get uninstalled. The
strange thing is that the stranded programs do not show up on my Add and
Remove Programs list.

What is the best way to get rid of those programs to ensure I remove all
components?
 
G

garfield-n-odie [MVP]

Specifically what "components from the trial version" are you
talking about? And how do you know they are from the trial
version instead of the full version?
 
W

Windows_User

In the Program Files folder I see a folder for "Microsoft Office Trial
Wizard" and a folder for "Microsoft Office" with a PowerPoint viewer. I
guess I just assumed these folders were from the trial version becasue the
install of the full version was unsuccessful.
 
W

Windows_User

The error message is:

"You have not entered a valid Product Key.

Please check the number located on the sticker on the back of the CD case or
 
G

garfield-n-odie [MVP]

Click on Start | Control Panel | Add or Remove Programs. In the
list of installed programs, do you see any 2003-series Microsoft
programs listed?
 
W

Windows_User

The only Microsoft programs I see in my Add or Remove Programs are Microsoft
Money 2006 and Microsoft Works. I don't see any 2003-series Microsoft
programs.

Could there be some registry key that did not get deleted or some other
component that did not get removed when I uninstalled the Office Trial
version?
 
W

Windows_User

Thanks for recommending the utility tool. It seems like it could be useful.
When I ran the utility tool, I didn't find anything relating to MS Office
2003.

I ended up contacting Microsoft directly to fix the problem. The product
key I had did not sync with the serial number on the MS Office Installation
CD. In the end, Microsoft gave me a new product key. Problem solved.

I would suspect this situation is atypical. I got the software through a
company program and it did not come in a factory sealed box.
 
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