Can't activate a copy of office pro 2003

[laura]

I am sorry that this is the 3000-th time someone has posted on this issue. I
can't tell if my circumstances are unique or if I am just dense.

I purchased a Sony VAIO - as you might expect it came with NO original
source media. It was pre-installed with a copy of office 2003. I forget the
particular version.

I have purchased a copy of office pro 2003 and I have the media CD.

I can't recall if I installed the purchased office pro, or if I ran the
trial -- I am pretty sure I installed from the CD because it is the full
blown pro version incl. access.

As of a few days ago, all of my office apps went into a view only state.
The type of behavior that would indicate that the trial has expired.

Thinking that I am crazy and never upgraded, I tried to "active" my copy of
office. In order to upgrade to the "full" version I tried help > "activate
product" in several different office applications. NOTHING HAPPENS. As per
some credible looking instructions online, I tried deleting the dat file
located in "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application
Data\Microsoft\OFFICE\DATA", but that didn't help -- the next time i opened
the app an office installer dialog would appear and then the dat files would
re-appear.

In a rage, i just uninstalled office and reinstalled off the CD i purchased.
I figured that investment of 10 minutes would solve all my problems . . . no
dice I am still in the same boat.

Then i noticed another application on my desktop . . . and in the "Add or
remove programs" list (lost in the clutter of the pre-installed garage
software sony ships with) . . . a "Office 2003 Trial Assistant". I tried to
uninstall this, thinking that this was handcuffing my office . . . and of
course I can't uninstall it. When I try to uninstall a windows installer
dialog appears and says that a feature I am trying to use is not available.
It appears to be looking for the AssistantSetup.msi in a temp directory that
does not exist.

Could someone please help point me in the right direction? I am getting
very frustrated. Writing a paper is hard enough without having to sped 10
hours getting the application to start. I am getting to the point where I am
going to *gasp* buy star office or even worse, use MS Works. Please help me
off the ledge.

 

[Pete]

I am getting to the point where I am
going to *gasp* buy star office or even worse, use MS Works. Please help
me
off the ledge.

Download OpenOffice instead. It's free and has full compatibility with MS.
I wouldn't do Works unless it had Word included.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

Download the Windows INstaller Cleanup Utility - manually remove any reference to Office 2003 products. Reboot, then install using your Office 2003 CD.

I have seen more headaches caused by people using the Trial version when they have no intention of purchasing it. Microsoft should make it an optional installation rather than installed and then activated once some poor soul opens a program using it.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, laura asked:

| I am sorry that this is the 3000-th time someone has posted on this
| issue. I can't tell if my circumstances are unique or if I am just
| dense.
|
| I purchased a Sony VAIO - as you might expect it came with NO original
| source media. It was pre-installed with a copy of office 2003. I
| forget the particular version.
|
| I have purchased a copy of office pro 2003 and I have the media CD.
|
| I can't recall if I installed the purchased office pro, or if I ran
| the trial -- I am pretty sure I installed from the CD because it is
| the full blown pro version incl. access.
|
| As of a few days ago, all of my office apps went into a view only
| state.
| The type of behavior that would indicate that the trial has expired.
|
| Thinking that I am crazy and never upgraded, I tried to "active" my
| copy of office. In order to upgrade to the "full" version I tried
| help > "activate product" in several different office applications.
| NOTHING HAPPENS. As per some credible looking instructions online, I
| tried deleting the dat file located in "C:\Documents and Settings\All
| Users\Application Data\Microsoft\OFFICE\DATA", but that didn't help
| -- the next time i opened the app an office installer dialog would
| appear and then the dat files would re-appear.
|
| In a rage, i just uninstalled office and reinstalled off the CD i
| purchased. I figured that investment of 10 minutes would solve all my
| problems . . . no dice I am still in the same boat.
|
| Then i noticed another application on my desktop . . . and in the
| "Add or remove programs" list (lost in the clutter of the
| pre-installed garage software sony ships with) . . . a "Office 2003
| Trial Assistant". I tried to uninstall this, thinking that this was
| handcuffing my office . . . and of course I can't uninstall it. When
| I try to uninstall a windows installer dialog appears and says that a
| feature I am trying to use is not available. It appears to be looking
| for the AssistantSetup.msi in a temp directory that does not exist.
|
| Could someone please help point me in the right direction? I am
| getting very frustrated. Writing a paper is hard enough without
| having to sped 10 hours getting the application to start. I am
| getting to the point where I am going to *gasp* buy star office or
| even worse, use MS Works. Please help me off the ledge.

 

[Rob Giordano \(Crash\)]

And computer sellers should stop installing all their "value added" crapola.
Sheesh...try and buy an assembled machine with JUST what you want on
it...impossible.


"Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]"
Download the Windows INstaller Cleanup Utility - manually remove any
reference to Office 2003 products. Reboot, then install using your Office
2003 CD.

I have seen more headaches caused by people using the Trial version when
they have no intention of purchasing it. Microsoft should make it an
optional installation rather than installed and then activated once some
poor soul opens a program using it.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, laura asked:

| I am sorry that this is the 3000-th time someone has posted on this
| issue. I can't tell if my circumstances are unique or if I am just
| dense.
|
| I purchased a Sony VAIO - as you might expect it came with NO original
| source media. It was pre-installed with a copy of office 2003. I
| forget the particular version.
|
| I have purchased a copy of office pro 2003 and I have the media CD.
|
| I can't recall if I installed the purchased office pro, or if I ran
| the trial -- I am pretty sure I installed from the CD because it is
| the full blown pro version incl. access.
|
| As of a few days ago, all of my office apps went into a view only
| state.
| The type of behavior that would indicate that the trial has expired.
|
| Thinking that I am crazy and never upgraded, I tried to "active" my
| copy of office. In order to upgrade to the "full" version I tried
| help > "activate product" in several different office applications.
| NOTHING HAPPENS. As per some credible looking instructions online, I
| tried deleting the dat file located in "C:\Documents and Settings\All
| Users\Application Data\Microsoft\OFFICE\DATA", but that didn't help
| -- the next time i opened the app an office installer dialog would
| appear and then the dat files would re-appear.
|
| In a rage, i just uninstalled office and reinstalled off the CD i
| purchased. I figured that investment of 10 minutes would solve all my
| problems . . . no dice I am still in the same boat.
|
| Then i noticed another application on my desktop . . . and in the
| "Add or remove programs" list (lost in the clutter of the
| pre-installed garage software sony ships with) . . . a "Office 2003
| Trial Assistant". I tried to uninstall this, thinking that this was
| handcuffing my office . . . and of course I can't uninstall it. When
| I try to uninstall a windows installer dialog appears and says that a
| feature I am trying to use is not available. It appears to be looking
| for the AssistantSetup.msi in a temp directory that does not exist.
|
| Could someone please help point me in the right direction? I am
| getting very frustrated. Writing a paper is hard enough without
| having to sped 10 hours getting the application to start. I am
| getting to the point where I am going to *gasp* buy star office or
| even worse, use MS Works. Please help me off the ledge.

 

[Bob I]

Of course you can, you will just pay more for it. Sort of like trying to
buy a magazine without advertising.

And computer sellers should stop installing all their "value added" crapola.
Sheesh...try and buy an assembled machine with JUST what you want on
it...impossible.


"Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]"
Download the Windows INstaller Cleanup Utility - manually remove any
reference to Office 2003 products. Reboot, then install using your Office
2003 CD.

I have seen more headaches caused by people using the Trial version when
they have no intention of purchasing it. Microsoft should make it an
optional installation rather than installed and then activated once some
poor soul opens a program using it.


--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
reading.

After furious head scratching, laura asked:

| I am sorry that this is the 3000-th time someone has posted on this
| issue. I can't tell if my circumstances are unique or if I am just
| dense.
|
| I purchased a Sony VAIO - as you might expect it came with NO original
| source media. It was pre-installed with a copy of office 2003. I
| forget the particular version.
|
| I have purchased a copy of office pro 2003 and I have the media CD.
|
| I can't recall if I installed the purchased office pro, or if I ran
| the trial -- I am pretty sure I installed from the CD because it is
| the full blown pro version incl. access.
|
| As of a few days ago, all of my office apps went into a view only
| state.
| The type of behavior that would indicate that the trial has expired.
|
| Thinking that I am crazy and never upgraded, I tried to "active" my
| copy of office. In order to upgrade to the "full" version I tried
| help > "activate product" in several different office applications.
| NOTHING HAPPENS. As per some credible looking instructions online, I
| tried deleting the dat file located in "C:\Documents and Settings\All
| Users\Application Data\Microsoft\OFFICE\DATA", but that didn't help
| -- the next time i opened the app an office installer dialog would
| appear and then the dat files would re-appear.
|
| In a rage, i just uninstalled office and reinstalled off the CD i
| purchased. I figured that investment of 10 minutes would solve all my
| problems . . . no dice I am still in the same boat.
|
| Then i noticed another application on my desktop . . . and in the
| "Add or remove programs" list (lost in the clutter of the
| pre-installed garage software sony ships with) . . . a "Office 2003
| Trial Assistant". I tried to uninstall this, thinking that this was
| handcuffing my office . . . and of course I can't uninstall it. When
| I try to uninstall a windows installer dialog appears and says that a
| feature I am trying to use is not available. It appears to be looking
| for the AssistantSetup.msi in a temp directory that does not exist.
|
| Could someone please help point me in the right direction? I am
| getting very frustrated. Writing a paper is hard enough without
| having to sped 10 hours getting the application to start. I am
| getting to the point where I am going to *gasp* buy star office or
| even worse, use MS Works. Please help me off the ledge.

 

[Rob Giordano \(Crash\)]

that's another pet-peeve.

good analogy though.


| Of course you can, you will just pay more for it. Sort of like trying to
| buy a magazine without advertising.
|
| Rob Giordano (Crash) wrote:
|
| > And computer sellers should stop installing all their "value added"
crapola.
| > Sheesh...try and buy an assembled machine with JUST what you want on
| > it...impossible.
| >
| >
| > "Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]"
| > | > Download the Windows INstaller Cleanup Utility - manually remove any
| > reference to Office 2003 products. Reboot, then install using your
Office
| > 2003 CD.
| >
| > I have seen more headaches caused by people using the Trial version when
| > they have no intention of purchasing it. Microsoft should make it an
| > optional installation rather than installed and then activated once some
| > poor soul opens a program using it.
| >
| >
| > --
| > Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]
| >
| > Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. All
| > unsolicited mail sent to my personal account will be deleted without
| > reading.
| >
| > After furious head scratching, laura asked:
| >
| > | I am sorry that this is the 3000-th time someone has posted on this
| > | issue. I can't tell if my circumstances are unique or if I am just
| > | dense.
| > |
| > | I purchased a Sony VAIO - as you might expect it came with NO original
| > | source media. It was pre-installed with a copy of office 2003. I
| > | forget the particular version.
| > |
| > | I have purchased a copy of office pro 2003 and I have the media CD.
| > |
| > | I can't recall if I installed the purchased office pro, or if I ran
| > | the trial -- I am pretty sure I installed from the CD because it is
| > | the full blown pro version incl. access.
| > |
| > | As of a few days ago, all of my office apps went into a view only
| > | state.
| > | The type of behavior that would indicate that the trial has expired.
| > |
| > | Thinking that I am crazy and never upgraded, I tried to "active" my
| > | copy of office. In order to upgrade to the "full" version I tried
| > | help > "activate product" in several different office applications.
| > | NOTHING HAPPENS. As per some credible looking instructions online, I
| > | tried deleting the dat file located in "C:\Documents and Settings\All
| > | Users\Application Data\Microsoft\OFFICE\DATA", but that didn't help
| > | -- the next time i opened the app an office installer dialog would
| > | appear and then the dat files would re-appear.
| > |
| > | In a rage, i just uninstalled office and reinstalled off the CD i
| > | purchased. I figured that investment of 10 minutes would solve all my
| > | problems . . . no dice I am still in the same boat.
| > |
| > | Then i noticed another application on my desktop . . . and in the
| > | "Add or remove programs" list (lost in the clutter of the
| > | pre-installed garage software sony ships with) . . . a "Office 2003
| > | Trial Assistant". I tried to uninstall this, thinking that this was
| > | handcuffing my office . . . and of course I can't uninstall it. When
| > | I try to uninstall a windows installer dialog appears and says that a
| > | feature I am trying to use is not available. It appears to be looking
| > | for the AssistantSetup.msi in a temp directory that does not exist.
| > |
| > | Could someone please help point me in the right direction? I am
| > | getting very frustrated. Writing a paper is hard enough without
| > | having to sped 10 hours getting the application to start. I am
| > | getting to the point where I am going to *gasp* buy star office or
| > | even worse, use MS Works. Please help me off the ledge.
| >
| >
|

 

[David R. Norton MVP]

And computer sellers should stop installing all their "value
added" crapola. Sheesh...try and buy an assembled machine with
JUST what you want on it...impossible.

I never care, I use another machine (recently I used my desktop as I'd
purchased a new laptop) to go to the manufacturer's site and download
all needed drivers, burn them to a CD, create restore disks per
manufacturer's instructions and then slip in my retail copy of XP home
or pro (home for the laptop, pro for the desktop), partition, format
and install a fresh installation then add only the software I want.

I wouldn't even bother with the restore disks but I'll use them if/when
I sell the machine to put it back to original specs.

I know that a 200G hard drive will contain 190G of crapware so I don't
even waste time looking at it now.

 

[Rob Giordano \(Crash\)]

Good idea. I think I'll do that when I buy a new laptop next week.


| |
| > And computer sellers should stop installing all their "value
| > added" crapola. Sheesh...try and buy an assembled machine with
| > JUST what you want on it...impossible.
|
| I never care, I use another machine (recently I used my desktop as I'd
| purchased a new laptop) to go to the manufacturer's site and download
| all needed drivers, burn them to a CD, create restore disks per
| manufacturer's instructions and then slip in my retail copy of XP home
| or pro (home for the laptop, pro for the desktop), partition, format
| and install a fresh installation then add only the software I want.
|
| I wouldn't even bother with the restore disks but I'll use them if/when
| I sell the machine to put it back to original specs.
|
| I know that a 200G hard drive will contain 190G of crapware so I don't
| even waste time looking at it now.
|
|