Frontpage 2002 update can't find original FP files & no CD availab

[Marcy]

My Windows ME was dying and I am now on a new Windows XP. FrontPage 2002 was
on the old OS. I no longer have the FP 98 full version CD, but copied all FP
files to an external hard drive and then to this XP computer. I thought my
FrontPage 2002 update CD would find the files (licences, etc.), but it
doesn't. It accepts the product key and then searches for the files, but when
it can't find them (on new computer's C drive or the external hard drive) it
says "Setup failed to find a validating product" and gives me an error 1608.
I click OK and am back to square one. I have 9 sets of numbers (8 have 6
digits and the last has 2 digits) labeled "Installation ID" on old notes from
9/7/02 when I had customer service to install this updated software. Below
that I have notes saying Customer Service ID by customer service agent,
followed by 7 sets of numbers, each with 6 digits.

The Customer service #888-652-2342 from these old notes got me to someone
who kept repeating there was no tech support for this product and even if I
had FP 2003 I'd have to pay for support. I explained that I'm not looking for
tech support, just the ability to install a product I purchased a license for.

Does anyone know how to help me?

Thanks much,
Marcy

 

[Tom Willett]

If you are using an upgrade version of FP, you *must* have a cd of a
qualifying previous version in order to upgrade.

 

[Mark Fitzpatrick]

You should be able to get an earlier version of FP for really, really cheap
on eBay. That's about all you can do if you loose the CD as you must have
the CD for the upgrade. Having the files on the computer won't do as the
files are too easy to spoof and/or copy around.

Hope this helps,
Mark Fitzpatrick
Microsoft MVP - FrontPage

 

[Marcy]

Thanks Tom & Mark, for your quick replies.

It looks like my best bet is to buy a full version of FrontPage 2003 on
eBay. It looks like they have legitimate software for $69.99 plus shipping.

I'm just guessing, but I'm thinking Windows XP might prefer FrontPage 2003
to an older version -- and the price is about the same for either 2002 or
2003.

Thanks again,
Marcy

 

[Tom Willett]

Be very careful when buying software on ebay. Do a lot of research, first,
on the seller. And read the details of the offer very carefully.