Office 11.5 Update Require Administrator Privileges

[Bartleby84]

Version: 2004
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

Whenever I try to install the latest Office 2004 update, the application says it needs administrator or higher privileges; BEFORE even asking me to put in a password. I have tried all of the following:
- Using Microsoft AutoUpdate (this doesn't even present an error dialogue; I click Install Update, and the program does...nothing)
- Installing from two different updates downloaded manually (English and Italian).
- Installing using two different preexisting administrator users.
- Installing using a brand new administrator
- Installing using the root user. When a program says that root doesn't have permission to do something, we know there is a problem here.
This was a brand new install of Office 2004 also; I'm not certain which version but I doubt it would be much newer than 11.3. Thanks.

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

- Installing using the root user. When a program says that root doesn't
have permission to do something, we know there is a problem here. This
was a brand new install of Office 2004 also; I'm not certain which
version but I doubt it would be much newer than 11.3. Thanks.

Root?? Did you by any chance install Office itself as root??
Using the root user account is bad karma. I never ever ever ever
activate root on any of our Mac here as it is a disaster bound to
happen.
At this point, I'd be tempted to uninstall Office, reinstall it (as
admin) and then run the updater.
I fear that the updater is detecting a permission setting it can
control (there is a quick check before you're asked to enter your admin
password) and that's why you see this message.


Corentin

 

[Bartleby84]

No, I installed using one of the preexisting admin users. And no, I don't usually fool around as root (much as I do enjoy living on the edge ;-). I enabled root just long enough to try the updater and the promptly disabled it.

I don't know about reinstalling; as I said this was a fresh install of Office 2004 to begin with.

 

[Corentin Cras-Méneur]

No, I installed using one of the preexisting admin users. And no, I
don't usually fool around as root (much as I do enjoy living on the edge
;-). I enabled root just long enough to try the updater and the promptly
disabled it.

I don't know about reinstalling; as I said this was a fresh install of
Office 2004 to begin with.

The problem is that if Permissions were messed-up when you first
installed, your installation might be problematic for the installer.
Repairing permissions won;t correct anything on the Office installation
itself. That's why I fear that uninstalling (using the uninstaller),
repairing permissions, reinstalling then re-applying the updater might
be a safer way to go.

Corentin

 

[Bartleby84]

Well, I tried what you suggested and here's how things worked.
First, I ran the Remove Office app which was only able to find the "System Files/Preferences;" it couldn't find or remove any of the applications themselves, so I deleted the Office 2004 folder by hand. After that, I repaired permissions on the drive and then opened up the Office Setup Assistant. Now, however, the setup assistant seems to be screwy; it won't advance beyond the first screen, clicking Next or pressing Return does absolutely nothing. Ultimately, I copied the Office 2004 folder by hand to Applications (grumbling the whole time; I like being able to manually choose which parts get installed instead of just getting everything. I don't use MSN and I haven't opened Entourage since I was on OS 9). When I opened Word, the setup assistant started, on the SECOND screen this time and then progressed normally from there. Finally, I opened the 11.5 update and...it still didn't work. Same problem.
Thank you very for your suggestion. I know I'm probably coming off as a little obnoxious at this point, but I do appreciate your help.

 

[Diane Ross]

First, I ran the Remove Office app which was only able to find the "System
Files/Preferences;" it couldn't find or remove any of the applications
themselves, so I deleted the Office 2004 folder by hand. After that, I
repaired permissions on the drive and then opened up the Office Setup
Assistant. Now, however, the setup assistant seems to be screwy; it won't
advance beyond the first screen, clicking Next or pressing Return does
absolutely nothing. Ultimately, I copied the Office 2004 folder by hand to
Applications (grumbling the whole time; I like being able to manually choose
which parts get installed instead of just getting everything. I don't use MSN
and I haven't opened Entourage since I was on OS 9). When I opened Word, the
setup assistant started, on the SECOND screen this time and then progressed
normally from there. Finally, I opened the 11.5 update and...it still didn't
work. Same problem.
Thank you very for your suggestion. I know I'm probably coming off as a little
obnoxious at this point, but I do appreciate your help.

I would do an "Archive & Install" Just be sure to check Preserve Users and
Network Settings when you select Archive & Install. This should fix your
underlying problems. The last time I had to do this the only thing I had to
re-install was the MSFT Keyboard software.

Once the install has finished, your system will be at whatever level the
disk you have is. So if your Install DVD/CD disk is 10.5.0, that's what
version of OS will be on your Mac. You will need to download the appropriate
Combo Updater (I stress combo updater and not the incremental updaters from
Software Update) from Apple's site to restore the system to a higher
version. After you run the combo, allow Software Update to download and
install any additional updates.

Run "Remove Office" again, then re-install from the CD. Even though you do
not use all of the applications, it's best to let them all install as it
could cause problems with future updates. The only exception would be MSN as
it's not an Office application.

When installing, make sure all running applications are quit.
Restart after installing.
Run Repair Permissions (this is debatable but it certainly doesn't hurt to
run it)