word should be free when upgrading from an old version

[jacko]

In 2000 I purchased a PC with an MS Office array of software. The software
was pre loaded and I was not given a reinstall CD or a license. One year ago
I bought a PC from Circuit City that did not include the 2000 software. Now I
have to buy it again.

This is not fair as I would be happy to move the old 2000 version of MS
Office to the new computer. Why do I need to pay for the same software again?

I am a senior citizen and have only so much to spend. How much money does
your company need to make from us elderly folks?

 

[Me]

If you don't have the CD or any other proof of ownership, why should you get
a free update to (possably) illegal software; this wouldn't be fair on the
rest of us.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Jacko

The computer vendor who sold you the computer back in 2000 would probably
tell you that you received the software as a FREE bundle and, as such, you
haven't paid for it..

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

In 2000 I purchased a PC with an MS Office array of software. The
software was pre loaded and I was not given a reinstall CD or a
license.

From whom did you buy this? Even if you don't get the media to reinstall,
you *have* to be provided with a license (on paper) or it is not legal for
you to run the product suite. Same for Windows - you need a paper license
for that, too.

A lot of vendors don't give you reinstallation/recovery CDs but do include
the reinstallation files on the hard drive (sometimes in a "secret"
partition) and it's up to the customer to create CDs from it. Don't know
whether this is the case for you.

< One year ago I bought a PC from Circuit City that did not

include the 2000 software. Now I have to buy it again.

This is not fair as I would be happy to move the old 2000 version of
MS Office to the new computer. Why do I need to pay for the same
software again?

It is entirely fair - you can't prove you paid for the software the first
time if you don't have a license. Why would any company simply take your
word for it that you have already paid for something you'd like replaced?

Also, MS does not sell Office 2000 anymore - it's old and no longer
supported, so I doubt they could send you a CD even if you had a license.
Additionally, if you were given an OEM (bundled) version of Office, it's up
to the hardware manufacturer who sold you the computer to provide you with
any support or replacement media. Microsoft can't help you.

I am a senior citizen and have only so much to spend. How much money
does your company need to make from us elderly folks?

Well, first off, it isn't *our company*. This is a public peer-support
newsgroup - everyone in here is just volunteering time to help others. Most
(99.999%) do not work for Microsoft, and the few MS people who do check in
from time to time are also volunteering time in here. Note that MVPs do not
work for Microsoft either.

I'm truly sorry for your predicament, but if you get no help from the
people/company who sold you the original computer with Office on it, you're
sort of out of luck.

Have you tried looking into other, less expensive options like Microsoft
Works? Or checked for Office 2000 on eBay? (make sure you get both a paper
license and media - and check the feedback for the seller before buying
anything). Do not buy *any* software from "too good to be true" sellers on
the Internet - you'll likely be defauded, or at the very least, be buying
pirated software. As in all things, caveat emptor.

Good luck.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

I don't see blue ribbons, pig races, or jelly judging here so it must not be
a Fair.

Who said everything must be fair? Is it fair to have a company put out one
version of Office (2000) and then not pay their software programmers when
they decide they want a new version? Why should you be entitled to
something for nothing when others aren't? Living to a ripe old age only
proves that you successfully avoided many pitfalls that others fell into.
It does not entitle you to any perks not granted by companies who wish to do
so.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After furious head scratching, jacko asked:

| In 2000 I purchased a PC with an MS Office array of software. The
| software was pre loaded and I was not given a reinstall CD or a
| license. One year ago I bought a PC from Circuit City that did not
| include the 2000 software. Now I have to buy it again.
|
| This is not fair as I would be happy to move the old 2000 version of
| MS Office to the new computer. Why do I need to pay for the same
| software again?
|
| I am a senior citizen and have only so much to spend. How much money
| does your company need to make from us elderly folks?