Lost CD and Key - Need Help

[Jeff L.]

I recently had a computer crash and had to wipe the hard drive, the sad part
is I cannot find my CD or the case with the product key on it. I've been
using the Office 2003 Student & Teacher Edition to date.

After I did the complete reinstall of my OS with the recovery CD my computer
came with, I realized I would need the CD key for Office. Couldn't find it
so I emailed tech support and all I kept getting told was to find the CD Key
- obviously I didn't need his help if I had it.

My purpose in writing to him was to see if he could verify my information
that I provided during registration and activation in order to obtain a new
key.

I am now at the point where I cannot use Office because it asks me to
convert to a full version now - so here I am...desperately looking for some
answers. I would think it would be fairly easy to verify registration
information and thus provide me a new key.

Any suggestions other than buying ANOTHER full version of Office? I feel
like the guy who I dealt with was deliberately not helpful just so that I'd
have to go buy another.

Please help!

 

[DL]

With no cd and no key, unless you can provide proof of purchase you are
'lost in France'

 

[Jeff L.]

So, even though you register a product, which is proof you bought it, nothing
can be done? I would think that they could verify registration and/or
activation information wouldn't they?

If not, what's the point in registering the specific product - other than to
voluntarily give them personal information for them to turn around and sell
to the highest bidder?

 

[JoAnn Paules]

Do you really want Microsoft to know all of that about you and what's on
your computer? And are you willing to pay more for the maintenance of those
files? There would more lawsuits than already exist.

At some point a line has to be drawn. You, as the consumer, have an
obligation to keep your property safe. If you've lost it, why is it the
manufacturer's responsiblity to replace it? (I'm not being harsh - I'm just
stating the facts. Sometimes life's lessons are harsh.)

Look over your home owner's insurance policy. Maybe there's some sort of
coverage that would benefit you.

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

 

[DL]

Registration is optional, it enables MS to maybe send you details of offers.
You would have to check their Privacy Policy to see what you are allowing
them to do with your data.

Activation is a requirement

 

[Beth Melton]

Who did you purchase Office from? The OEM? Who/What tech support did you
contact? Microsoft or the OEM?

If the computer came installed with Office and you purchased an OEM version
and they are refusing to provide you with a new Product Key, try contacting
Microsoft and explain the OEM is refusing to provide you with a new Product
Key. It's my understanding that Microsoft will help you out, however you may
incur a nominal fee for the new key.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email cannot be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Coauthor of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[JoAnn Paules]

Will they replace OEM disks as well or just the key?

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

 

[Beth Melton]

Just the key if an OEM version. So if the "Jeff" did register Office and was
able to install it from his recovery disk then he might get lucky. Now, if
it was a retail version then Microsoft should replace both the CD and key.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email cannot be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Coauthor of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/

 

[JoAnn Paules]

Thank you. I've got that tucked away for future reference now.

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

 

[Jeff L.]

It was a retail version - I don't know if they would help me if that's the
case though. What do you think?
(Thank you Beth for your response - I appreciate it )

However, still no luck finding the CD or case - guess I'll find out if a
friend has theirs still. I hate to use another person's key but if it's too
hard for MS to be able to verify via registration information that I in fact
had a legit CD key, then that's what I'll have to do.

As far as JoAnn's response, it's not unreasonable to expect that the
information provided during registration can be used to verify the original
installation of the software. I mean c'mon, you have to verify EVERYTHING
when you use MS software as it is - they have the means just not the desire.

 

[Beth Melton]

They should help you since it's a retail version and they have installation
support at no charge: (800) 936-5700

The only way to find out what they can do for you is to call.

Please post all follow-up questions to the newsgroup. Requests for
assistance by email cannot be acknowledged.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP

Coauthor of Word 2007 Inside Out:
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9801.aspx#AboutTheBook

Word FAQ: http://mvps.org/word
TechTrax eZine: http://mousetrax.com/techtrax/
MVP FAQ site: http://mvps.org/