Trouble with Activation, an Upgrade, and Microsoft Support

[ralph]

Totally stymied, hoping there is someone that can set me down the road
for a solution.

First the background:

Rebuilding my PC after a hard crash I attempted to re-install "Office
Professional 2007 Upgrade" version. But couldn't find a CD that it
would accept as a "valid application" for updating.

I did have a full version of "Office Home and Student", so I installed
that (believe that is where I went wrong, but no matter...). Office
Pro 2007 accepted that as an upgradeable app. The install was
successful as in "no errors"...

However, now Excel, (and Word, Powerpoint) still think they are "Home
and Student".

Tried to find an answer on Microsoft's Answer Forums. Won't accept a
question from me. Everytime I sign-in to post and get to the "One More
Step" window I get a message Sign-In didn't work, try later.

Tried to find an answer on Microsoft's Forums. It allows me to sign-in
and fill out an email, but then when I go to Select a Forum - there
are no options available just "Select One". Of course the post never
completes as I have to select a forum.

I tried to contact the Activation People, unfortunately you have to do
that by phone, but I can' get a phone number because the application
is already activated.

I called Microsoft support, but they sent me back to online sources,
unless I'm willing to pay this month's total software budget, ...

So now I'm trying here. At least I can post here. <g>

So does anyone know of any place, source, etc. that might get me on
some road to recovery?

-ralph

 

[GS]

Ralph,
I'm thinking that using the Home and Student version of MSO left you
short some features not included in the full version, and that the
upgrade didn't address this. I'd have installed an earlier full version
of MSO in your case, even if you had to borrow it if you don't have
your original full version anymore.

I had a similar issue in that my MSO 2010 wouldn't upgrade a H-A-S
version on my Win7 x64 machine running MSO x32. Turns out the product
key for 2010 is exclusive to the downloaded version I bought, and so
wouldn't even 'activate' the trial version of MSO Pro. At that point I
abandoned installing 2010, and don't plan to put it anywhere until
client needs dictate.

Otherwise, the only advice I have regarding using the MSO upgrade is
DON'T DO IT! I prefer a 'clean install' same as if doing an OS. (Just
my personal preference but if you're who I suspect you are then I know
you understand the principal)

--
Garry

Free usenet access at http://www.eternal-september.org
ClassicVB Users Regroup!
comp.lang.basic.visual.misc
microsoft.public.vb.general.discussion

 

[ralph]

Ralph,
I'm thinking that using the Home and Student version of MSO left you
short some features not included in the full version, and that the
upgrade didn't address this. I'd have installed an earlier full version
of MSO in your case, even if you had to borrow it if you don't have
your original full version anymore.

I had a similar issue in that my MSO 2010 wouldn't upgrade a H-A-S
version on my Win7 x64 machine running MSO x32. Turns out the product
key for 2010 is exclusive to the downloaded version I bought, and so
wouldn't even 'activate' the trial version of MSO Pro. At that point I
abandoned installing 2010, and don't plan to put it anywhere until
client needs dictate.

Otherwise, the only advice I have regarding using the MSO upgrade is
DON'T DO IT! I prefer a 'clean install' same as if doing an OS. (Just
my personal preference but if you're who I suspect you are then I know
you understand the principal)

yeah, I was afraid the ultimate answer would be - should never have
installed "Home and Student", BUT I assumed people upgraded from it to
Professional all the time. See what happens when one assumes? <bg>

Looks like I'll have to try that. My real fustration isn't that even
after installing "Pro 2007" I don't have "Pro" versions - there is
probably something I can do about that - it is simply that I can't
seem to figure out any way for MS to even listen to me. Or to get to
an article that explains and solves the problem - I'm sure there is
one out there somewhere. (Oh oh? I am assuming again ain't I?)

Support says to talk to the "Activation and Install" people. Sounds
simple. But you can only "call" them, and to get the number you have
to go through the application options->resources->activation.., and
unfortunately you can not get the number because the application is
already activated, and MS won't give you the number. LOL - Catch 22.

Had a hell of time trying to navigate and search the Microsoft Forums.
A real eye-opener!

I was annoyed when Microsoft abandoned the newsgroups, for (IMHO) the
more awkward 'Web Forums', but it didn't bother me much because I am a
developer, the people I work with are MS Partners or at least have a
subscription, and I can do my research in TechNet. I assumed it must
be a simpler solution for end-users. (There is that assuming again.
<g>)

This was my first time having to approach Microsoft with my own dime
and my own time. Two days of it, and I'm throughly disappointed with
how far Microsoft has fallen. My over-all experience has been
absolutely miserable, with absolutely NOTHING to show for my efforts.
And I'm a 20+ year veteran with Windows! (I was on the original
Windows 286 beta team. lol) But I couldn't penetrate their veil.

If it wasn't for having to buy all new hardware - I'd probably be
using an Apple for my home computer right now. lol

Anyway, thanks for listening to me rant. <bg>

-ralph

 

[GS]

Ralph,
I don't mind reading your posts regardless of content because you've
always been a most helpful contributor to my Classic VB developer
growth. That spills over into VBA also.

Like you, I too spent a great deal of time trying to get the
pre-installed version of MSO to accept my purchased version
setup/activation. I finally ended up uninstalling everything MSO OEM
and loaded my own full versions of 2003/2007 for now. This is just a
test machine which I also (occasionally) carry around for demos and so
as long as it runs both ribbon/pre-ribbon instances with my apps I'm
happy.

As you've probably figured out from Classic VB forums, I primarily
develop for MS Excel and so COM EXEs/DLLs are where I need Classic VB.
Since Olaf showed me how to use VBA reg-free I've relaxed my efforts to
move elsewhere.<g> That said, I also have the ability to duplicate
anything my Excel apps do as stand-alone VB6.EXEs via FarPoint's (now
GrapeCity) Spread.ocx! (Look who's ranting now...)

--
Garry

Free usenet access at http://www.eternal-september.org
ClassicVB Users Regroup!
comp.lang.basic.visual.misc
microsoft.public.vb.general.discussion

 

[ralph]

Ralph,
I don't mind reading your posts regardless of content because you've
always been a most helpful contributor to my Classic VB developer
growth. That spills over into VBA also.

Like you, I too spent a great deal of time trying to get the
pre-installed version of MSO to accept my purchased version
setup/activation. I finally ended up uninstalling everything MSO OEM
and loaded my own full versions of 2003/2007 for now. This is just a
test machine which I also (occasionally) carry around for demos and so
as long as it runs both ribbon/pre-ribbon instances with my apps I'm
happy.

As you've probably figured out from Classic VB forums, I primarily
develop for MS Excel and so COM EXEs/DLLs are where I need Classic VB.
Since Olaf showed me how to use VBA reg-free I've relaxed my efforts to
move elsewhere.<g> That said, I also have the ability to duplicate
anything my Excel apps do as stand-alone VB6.EXEs via FarPoint's (now
GrapeCity) Spread.ocx! (Look who's ranting now...)

Thanks for those kind words.

Since I posted I did finally manage to post to Answers Forum.

Here is the first part of the reply, from a
<decide_to_withhold_the_name> with the post-nominal "MCC" - I assume
this stands for "Microsoft Certified Consultant" - ....

"If all of your apps are activated and working correctly, why mess
with a "good thing". The one thing I wonder about this whether Word
and Outlook are synchronized. If you are not using Outlook, then it's
not a problem."

Ha. Frankly that sort of shocked me.

Is there in fact no difference between "Professional" and "Home and
Student" in terms of activation or features? So by spending ~$80 bucks
for Home and Office, then another $260 for Pro, I should just be happy
they are "working"? lol

You know Excel. Is there a difference in features between the two
versions? In service packs, or upgrades? Or have I been scammed and
should just be happy I paid only $260 for Outlook and Access? <bg>

In his defense he went on to provide what appears to be some very
useful contact information. Haven't receive a response, nor followed
through on all of them yet to know for sure, if it is good
information, but hoping... If so I will thank him.

Which leads to the next question ... why wasn't this information
readily provided by Microsoft in the first place.

-ralph

 

[GS]

Man.., that response doesn't surprise me! I've never been satisfied
with any responses I've received (if I even got one at all in most
cases)! I'd be interested in the followup...

I don't know what the differences are between the H-A-S and Pro
versions of MSO. I do seem to recall that there were limitations with
H-A-S, though, and is why I've been removing them and installing Pro.
MSO2010 was the first pre-installed full version I tried to activate,
but this was not H-A-S on this newest machine.

I've used only MSO Pro editions ever since Office97, but then I'm
always able to buy them through the bookstore at the College where I
teach (not programming or computer software courses). I've been using
Excel since v4.x because it was provided by the college when they
switched to Microsoft. Prior to this we used Lotus123.

But my first personal version through the bookstore was MSO2002 Pro,
which I was only too happy to pay (what seemed a pitance) for after
paying $1400 for a personal copy of MSO2000 Developer Edition over the
counter at a computer store.(Ouch!) These bookstore versions are volume
license deals and so no surprise my product code for 2010 wasn't
accepted by the pre-installed 2010 on my newest laptop (notebook,
actually).

--
Garry

Free usenet access at http://www.eternal-september.org
ClassicVB Users Regroup!
comp.lang.basic.visual.misc
microsoft.public.vb.general.discussion

 

[ralph]

Man.., that response doesn't surprise me! I've never been satisfied
with any responses I've received (if I even got one at all in most
cases)! I'd be interested in the followup...

yes, you appear correct. After reading dozens of other postings I
probably should feel quite thankful. I was amazed at the number of no
answers, and the number of "upgrade to 2010 - 2007 sucks", and "get
yourself a *real* computer" answers. ha

I certainly will provide a follow-up if anything actually works. Might
help someone else.

I don't know what the differences are between the H-A-S and Pro
versions of MSO. I do seem to recall that there were limitations with
H-A-S, though, and is why I've been removing them and installing Pro.
MSO2010 was the first pre-installed full version I tried to activate,
but this was not H-A-S on this newest machine.

Finally found a list of differences and they do seem substantial,
besides the obvious one - I'm basically breaking the law if I use
H-a-S in my business. ha.

I've used only MSO Pro editions ever since Office97, but then I'm
always able to buy them through the bookstore at the College where I
teach (not programming or computer software courses). I've been using
Excel since v4.x because it was provided by the college when they
switched to Microsoft. Prior to this we used Lotus123.

But my first personal version through the bookstore was MSO2002 Pro,
which I was only too happy to pay (what seemed a pitance) for after
paying $1400 for a personal copy of MSO2000 Developer Edition over the
counter at a computer store.(Ouch!) These bookstore versions are volume
license deals and so no surprise my product code for 2010 wasn't
accepted by the pre-installed 2010 on my newest laptop (notebook,
actually).

I found my first version. It is marked only "Office with Bookshelf". I
really liked Bookshelf, although horribly dated compared to online
resources. I should try and install it. Might as well. This project
which I thought was going to ruin "my weekend" has already stretched
into a week - with no end in sight. Decided to just take a little
vacation till it is done - Have plenty of time to play.

I was lucky in that back then I was a subscriber so got everything. I
was amazed at how bloody confusing "Developer's" editions were. In the
beginning it was a 'free' download, then became a separate little
addon, then you had to buy whole pricey separate packages. Then it was
basically free again, but you had to buy licenses for each of your
products. Then that quickly disappeared (except for VBA). Then ...

There were "Office Developer" editions, then you had to buy each
Office product developer editions separately.... , then it was back to
an "Office" version only... I'm glad I've never had to do much Office
Development. <bg>

-ralph

 

[GS]

I hope you get things worked out! Thanks for verifying the H-A-S
diffs/limitations. Can you post a link to what you found?

Yeah, I definitely got caught in the "Developer Edition" scam. Never
again, though!

--
Garry

Free usenet access at http://www.eternal-september.org
ClassicVB Users Regroup!
comp.lang.basic.visual.misc
microsoft.public.vb.general.discussion

 

[ralph]

I hope you get things worked out! Thanks for verifying the H-A-S
diffs/limitations. Can you post a link to what you found?

On closer examination in terms of "features" or over-all functionality
there is NO difference between "Home and Student" and "Professional"
(Excel, Word, and PowerPoint). So I was wrong to use the word
"substantial".

My error came from quickly viewing the list quanitatively and not
noticing that the "differences" were based on the Products shipped
with the different packages and not specifically an internal feature
of a single product.

For example, they listed some pretty nifty advanced 'I-want-to-have'
features available in Word Pro, that on further examination was not
anything added to the Word product, but rather the simple fact the Pro
package included Publisher and made those features available.

Sorry for the misinformation.

Yeah, I definitely got caught in the "Developer Edition" scam. Never
again, though!

Most of that came out of MS Marketing decisions. If you talk to any of
the Office developers themselves, (and they know no one else is
listening <g>), you'll find they have been continuously fustrated by
the limitations placed on them. The ability of Office intergration as
Business solutions has never been been fully realized.

Around the time, just before the Release of VB6, there was a big
internal battle at Microsoft between the Office development group, and
the Languages group. Office development wanted to take over ownership
of VB, expand it, and roll it into its "developer" packages. The
Office group lost. I naively considered it a victory at the time.

Ahhh, a VB as a glue with direct access to all those object models...
sigh, what might have been. <lol>

-ralph

 

[GS]

ralph has brought this to us :

On closer examination in terms of "features" or over-all functionality
there is NO difference between "Home and Student" and "Professional"
(Excel, Word, and PowerPoint). So I was wrong to use the word
"substantial".

My error came from quickly viewing the list quanitatively and not
noticing that the "differences" were based on the Products shipped
with the different packages and not specifically an internal feature
of a single product.

For example, they listed some pretty nifty advanced 'I-want-to-have'
features available in Word Pro, that on further examination was not
anything added to the Word product, but rather the simple fact the Pro
package included Publisher and made those features available.

Sorry for the misinformation.

I too was looking at the Starter Edition, mistaking it as the full
version pre-installed. My context for the term 'limitations' was indeed
in ref to the package contents and NOT the product features. I'm sure I
mentioned that I've always used the Pro Edition and so I apologize for
my lack of clarity. Thank you for raising this point as it has put us

Most of that came out of MS Marketing decisions. If you talk to any of
the Office developers themselves, (and they know no one else is
listening <g>), you'll find they have been continuously fustrated by
the limitations placed on them. The ability of Office intergration as
Business solutions has never been been fully realized.

Around the time, just before the Release of VB6, there was a big
internal battle at Microsoft between the Office development group, and
the Languages group. Office development wanted to take over ownership
of VB, expand it, and roll it into its "developer" packages. The
Office group lost. I naively considered it a victory at the time.

Ahhh, a VB as a glue with direct access to all those object models...
sigh, what might have been. <lol>

Actually, I haven't found any restrictions using VB6 to access any part
of Excel, for example, that is exposed to VBA. The includes the VBA VBE
as well. I'm sure the transition of replacing VBA with VB wouldn't have
been too difficult for the MSO team. I do agree, though, that it would
have been sweet!

--
Garry

Free usenet access at http://www.eternal-september.org
ClassicVB Users Regroup!
comp.lang.basic.visual.misc
microsoft.public.vb.general.discussion

 

[Cimjet]

Ralph

<decide_to_withhold_the_name> with the post-nominal "MCC" - I assume
this stands for "Microsoft Certified Consultant" - ....

I did'nt see your post on Microsoft Answers forum but the letters MCC in a small
blue rectangle stands for "Microsoft Community Contributor" not "Certified
Consultant" .
i know this will not change anything, but if i were you, i would repost again.
Maybe phrase it differently, you may get someone from Microsoft to reply with
something better.
Good luck
Cimjet

 

[ralph]

Ralph
I did'nt see your post on Microsoft Answers forum but the letters MCC in a small
blue rectangle stands for "Microsoft Community Contributor" not "Certified
Consultant" .
i know this will not change anything, but if i were you, i would repost again.
Maybe phrase it differently, you may get someone from Microsoft to reply with
something better.
Good luck
Cimjet

Thanks for that clarification. One of the many things I need to
catch-up with.

For all my rants and rage, I find I'm having a good time. I'm positive
my little problem will be easily resolved once I get hold of the right
entity (human? perhaps? <g>).

While I pride myself on being an in-depth Windows programmer and
designer, this sojourn into the 'real' World of Windows has been quite
illuminating on just how out-of-touch with that World I have become.
(Something I suspect my users have known for years. <g>)

-ralph

 

[ralph]

Man.., that response doesn't surprise me! I've never been satisfied
with any responses I've received (if I even got one at all in most
cases)! I'd be interested in the followup...

Received an Email from Microsoft suggesting I "contact them directly
by calling: 866-452-4755".

I've been hesitant to call Microsoft because of the long wait times,
difficulties with dialects, and simply because I figure (being an
expert 'n all <g>) I can do things myself given a few hints.

Well, I was wrong.

1) There was no long wait. I went right through to a human I could
understand. Actually it was me that caused any language problems. I
was so surprised a human answered, I stuttered and was ill prepared to
describe my problem distinctly in the beginning.

2) It turned out to be a bigger problem than I expected. While the
repair was trivial - essentially just an uninstall and re-install -
they had to give me a new product key, a new Office package, and
fiddle a bit with internal configurations, to correct it. Obviously
nothing that could be supplied on a public forum.

3) But the best surprise was they handled it all remotely via
LogMeIn123, I didn't have to do a thing except type my password a few
times and watch the show.

So there it is - Trouble with Office Activation - Call: 866-452-4755

-ralph

 

[GS]

ralph brought next idea :

Received an Email from Microsoft suggesting I "contact them directly
by calling: 866-452-4755".

I've been hesitant to call Microsoft because of the long wait times,
difficulties with dialects, and simply because I figure (being an
expert 'n all <g>) I can do things myself given a few hints.

Well, I was wrong.

1) There was no long wait. I went right through to a human I could
understand. Actually it was me that caused any language problems. I
was so surprised a human answered, I stuttered and was ill prepared to
describe my problem distinctly in the beginning.

2) It turned out to be a bigger problem than I expected. While the
repair was trivial - essentially just an uninstall and re-install -
they had to give me a new product key, a new Office package, and
fiddle a bit with internal configurations, to correct it. Obviously
nothing that could be supplied on a public forum.

3) But the best surprise was they handled it all remotely via
LogMeIn123, I didn't have to do a thing except type my password a few
times and watch the show.

So there it is - Trouble with Office Activation - Call: 866-452-4755

-ralph

Thanks, Ralph! I sock this number away in case I need help with my
2010. Unfortunately, I'll have to get someone to make the call because
with me having Lou Gehrig's it's almost impossible for people to
understand my speech over a phone.<g>

--
Garry

Free usenet access at http://www.eternal-september.org
ClassicVB Users Regroup!
comp.lang.basic.visual.misc
microsoft.public.vb.general.discussion

 

[ralph]

ralph brought next idea :

Thanks, Ralph! I sock this number away in case I need help with my
2010. Unfortunately, I'll have to get someone to make the call because
with me having Lou Gehrig's it's almost impossible for people to
understand my speech over a phone.<g>

There is accessibility number, but they may/can launch LogMeIn123,
which opens a 'chat' screen after only a little few basic questions.
If you can get that far, the rest would be easy.

-ralph

 

[GS]

ralph wrote :

There is accessibility number, but they may/can launch LogMeIn123,
which opens a 'chat' screen after only a little few basic questions.
If you can get that far, the rest would be easy.

-ralph

Great!

--
Garry

Free usenet access at http://www.eternal-september.org
ClassicVB Users Regroup!
comp.lang.basic.visual.misc
microsoft.public.vb.general.discussion

 

[Cimjet]

Ralph
Glad to see your problem resolved.
Don't forget, it's people like me and you that answer questions.
So if you don't like the reply, post again and again if you must.
You fail only if you quit.
Cimjet