Can I Get My Money Back??????????

[Tim Bridges]

I recently bought the trial version of Microsoft Office
2003. I'm a DBA and was interested in getting a feel for
Access 2003. My experience has been horrible. When I
create databases and try to reopen them I am unable to.
When I attempt to open the sample Northwinds DB I get
nothing but a blank screen. I have reinstalled the
product NUMEROUS times with no luck whatsoever in fixing
my problem. I have posted to these newsgroups in the
past to no avail. I refuse to pay 19.95 for live support
for trial software (I'm experimenting on personal time,
not work time). Is there a way I can be refunded for the
trial version, or possibly have a new cd mailed to
me???????????????????

 

[Larry Linson]

You'd have to contact Microsoft directly about that... I was under the
impression that there was no charge for a trial version of Office 2003,
however. Microsoft sponsors this newsgroup, but it isn't monitored by the
people who would deal with exchanging your trial version for a different CD.
The MVPs who post here aren't Microsoft employees, just people who have been
recognized by Microsoft for their efforts in assisting the user community.

I wish I could be of help, but haven't had any similar experience, even when
I was running the Beta version of Office 2003 before the release version was
available. All my experiences with this database have been on Windows 2000
Professional. And, BTW, if you are trying to run on an earlier O/S, that
could be your problem -- the Microsoft Office 2003 System requires Win 2000,
XP, or 2003 (there _may_ be a Service Pack level of Win NT 4 that squeaks
by, but I am not certain of that).

I wasn't aware that you could get Microsoft "live support" for anywhere near
as little as $19.95, either. That would be a terrific bargain for Microsoft
Tech Support -- and, you know, Microsoft does not charge for the support
call if the reported problem is a product defect.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Office MVP

 

[Tony Toews]

And, BTW, if you are trying to run on an earlier O/S, that
could be your problem -- the Microsoft Office 2003 System requires Win 2000,
XP, or 2003 (there _may_ be a Service Pack level of Win NT 4 that squeaks
by, but I am not certain of that).

Win 2000 SP3 was explicitly stated as the oldest OS MS was going to
support for Office 2003.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
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Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm

 

[Tim Bridges]

I tried installing on Windows XP Pro so the OS shouldn't
be the problem. The money I paid was for the shipping
charge of the cd.

 

[Larry Linson]

I got free installation help by telephone from Microsoft on Access 2002, but
it was not a trial version, so I don't know if the same applies. Check on
the Microsoft website for a "sales" toll-free number... I used to have one,
but that was several years ago... and ask them about a replacement CD. It
seems to me that it would be to Microsoft's advantage to assist you in
getting the trial version installed and working properly -- otherwise how is
that trial version going to convince you that you should license the actual
product?

I had quite a number of copies of trial versions that were supplied to me
for my user group and additional ones that were in the handouts at the
Office 2003 launch events, but I have given them all away. None of the
people to whom I gave them has mentioned having similar problems. I wish I
had still had a trial copy that I could send you -- that would, at least,
indicate whether your CD was flawed or whether it is a system configuration
problem.

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP