Having difficulty with online registration

[eriswim]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)

I've been using Office 2008 for 2-3 months, but it no longer lets me open it.

Before this problem occurred, it began bugging me to update Office. So I finally did. After the update, I tried running Excel, but it asked me to register online. So I tried. But it asked me for my PID (Product ID), which I don't have written down and I cannot find it. The registration page said I can find it by opening Excel and viewing Help / About.

BUT IT WON"T LET ME OPEN EXCEL WITHOUT REGISTERING!!! So I am stuck in this vicious cycle. How maddening is that!!?

I turned off my computer, restarted it, and tried to open Excel again, but the same problem keeps occurring. It wants me to register with the PID, but I can't open Excel to view it.

WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO DO. Had I known this update process was going to be so idiotic, I wouldn't have done it.

Microsoft? What am I supposed to do?

Erika in California

 

[Diane Ross]

It sounds like you are stuck in the Setup Assistant loop. Registration is
not required so forget that. It is not Activation.

See this page for help with the error:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/error/install_update.html#fails2>

If this is not your problem follow the directions for "Fix when you have
modified files"

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/error/install_update.html#fails1>

 

[eriswim]

Yes, I think I'm stuck in the Setup Assistant loop. I did as was suggested in the install_update.html#fails2 page but still no luck. When I try to open Excel, it still asks me for the PID, which I can't see unless I open Excel.

This is really getting frustrating!

Erika

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Erika -

Are you sure it's prompting for the *PID*? After following the steps on the
web site launching any Office app should be prompting you to re-enter the
*Product Key* (found on the back of the disk sleeve) which is not the same
as the Product ID# (PID).

Have you repaired disk permissions recently - If not , do so now. It may
also help to restart your Mac.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Diane Ross]

Yes, I think I'm stuck in the Setup Assistant loop. I did as was suggested in
the install_update.html#fails2 page but still no luck. When I try to open
Excel, it still asks me for the PID, which I can't see unless I open Excel.

This is really getting frustrating!

You need to determine if the problem is your Identity, your User folder or
the base system files. Testing in a new User will quickly tell you if the
problem is system wide or if it's your User's folder that contains the
problem.

See this page for testing steps:

See Troubleshooting basics for more help:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/troubleshoot/basics.html>

 

[David Godin]

Diane,

I am having the exact same problem as this gentlemen. You need to actually read what he wrote. It has nothing to do with the User files or anything. The program tells you it needs a PID. the morons and MS won't let you access the program to get the PID.

:

Yes, I think I'm stuck in the Setup Assistant loop. I did as was suggested

in > the install_update.html#fails2 page but still no luck. When I try
to open > Excel, it still asks me for the PID, which I can't see unless
I open Excel. > > This is really getting frustrating!





You need to determine if the problem is your Identity, your User folder
or the base system files. Testing in a new User will quickly tell you
if the problem is system wide or if it's your User's folder that contains
the problem.





See this page for testing steps:





See Troubleshooting basics for more help:








-- Diane

 

[Diane Ross]

I am having the exact same problem as this gentlemen. You need to actually
read what he wrote. It has nothing to do with the User files or anything. The
program tells you it needs a PID. the morons and MS won't let you access the
program to get the PID.

Users frequently get the PID and CD key mixed up. I have never seen any
Office application ask for the PID key. I'll ask and see what I can find.