Office 2003 Pro Product Key

[HWhite]

I purchased some OEM versions of Office 2003 Pro and after entering the key
and installing the program, when I use a program to lookup the key, it does
not match the one I entered. I'm using authentic keys in sealed cases, with
hologram disks, etc.

The company I installed this for is gathering all their licenses together
and verifying them against what is installed on their computers. So, this is
obviously creating questions. I even uninstalled and re-installed the
software, making sure I typed the proper key in. After completion, it lists
a completely different key.

So, I need to either show them that this is normal with some OEM software
and have something official that states that, or I need a way to have the
proper key show up for the workstation it was installed in.

Thanks very much for any help!

 

[JoAnn Paules]

Download and run Belarc Advisor.

 

[HWhite]

Which question will Belarc Advisor answer? Did you read my post?

Download and run Belarc Advisor.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

I purchased some OEM versions of Office 2003 Pro and after entering the key
and installing the program, when I use a program to lookup the key, it
does
not match the one I entered. I'm using authentic keys in sealed cases,
with
hologram disks, etc.

The company I installed this for is gathering all their licenses together
and verifying them against what is installed on their computers. So, this
is
obviously creating questions. I even uninstalled and re-installed the
software, making sure I typed the proper key in. After completion, it
lists
a completely different key.

So, I need to either show them that this is normal with some OEM software
and have something official that states that, or I need a way to have the
proper key show up for the workstation it was installed in.

Thanks very much for any help!

 

[JoAnn Paules]

I would suggest running Belarc because I don't know what you are using to
get keys. I *know* that Belarc works. And obviously I read your post
otherwise I wouldn't have suggested Belarc as a way to show you the proper
keys.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

Which question will Belarc Advisor answer? Did you read my post?

Download and run Belarc Advisor.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

I purchased some OEM versions of Office 2003 Pro and after entering the
key
and installing the program, when I use a program to lookup the key, it
does
not match the one I entered. I'm using authentic keys in sealed cases,
with
hologram disks, etc.

The company I installed this for is gathering all their licenses
together
and verifying them against what is installed on their computers. So,
this
is
obviously creating questions. I even uninstalled and re-installed the
software, making sure I typed the proper key in. After completion, it
lists
a completely different key.

So, I need to either show them that this is normal with some OEM
software
and have something official that states that, or I need a way to have
the
proper key show up for the workstation it was installed in.

Thanks very much for any help!

 

[Earle Horton]

Belarc Advisor should give the correct Product Key. When you say "I use a
program to lookup the key", which program is that? You are not confusing
the Product Key with the Product ID, are you? That is the number that you
see in Help, About. I suppose your customer knows that OEM Office 2003 can
only be installed on one computer, ever. When they eventually dispose of
the computers, they may not reinstall these copies of OEM Office 2003 on
replacement computers.

Earle

Which question will Belarc Advisor answer? Did you read my post?

Download and run Belarc Advisor.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"

I purchased some OEM versions of Office 2003 Pro and after entering the
key
and installing the program, when I use a program to lookup the key, it
does
not match the one I entered. I'm using authentic keys in sealed cases,
with
hologram disks, etc.

The company I installed this for is gathering all their licenses
together
and verifying them against what is installed on their computers. So,
this
is
obviously creating questions. I even uninstalled and re-installed the
software, making sure I typed the proper key in. After completion, it
lists
a completely different key.

So, I need to either show them that this is normal with some OEM
software
and have something official that states that, or I need a way to have
the
proper key show up for the workstation it was installed in.

Thanks very much for any help!

 

[HWhite]

I used a few different programs, including Belarc, and they all gave the same
key. We are not disposing of computers or installing this software on any
other computers, so I'm not concerned about the EULA as it is not relevant.
The question was simply why, when you install the product and enter the key,
when it is finished and you run Belarc or any other key finding program, the
key it finds is not the same key you typed in. It is like the key is
hardcoded despite what you enter. And yes, I know the difference between a
product key and product ID.

Thanks.

Belarc Advisor should give the correct Product Key. When you say "I use a
program to lookup the key", which program is that? You are not confusing
the Product Key with the Product ID, are you? That is the number that you
see in Help, About. I suppose your customer knows that OEM Office 2003 can
only be installed on one computer, ever. When they eventually dispose of
the computers, they may not reinstall these copies of OEM Office 2003 on
replacement computers.

Earle

Which question will Belarc Advisor answer? Did you read my post?

Download and run Belarc Advisor.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"



I purchased some OEM versions of Office 2003 Pro and after entering the
key
and installing the program, when I use a program to lookup the key, it
does
not match the one I entered. I'm using authentic keys in sealed cases,
with
hologram disks, etc.

The company I installed this for is gathering all their licenses
together
and verifying them against what is installed on their computers. So,
this
is
obviously creating questions. I even uninstalled and re-installed the
software, making sure I typed the proper key in. After completion, it
lists
a completely different key.

So, I need to either show them that this is normal with some OEM
software
and have something official that states that, or I need a way to have
the
proper key show up for the workstation it was installed in.

Thanks very much for any help!

 

[Beth Melton]

I purchased some OEM versions of Office 2003 Pro and after entering the
key
and installing the program, when I use a program to lookup the key, it
does
not match the one I entered. I'm using authentic keys in sealed cases,
with
hologram disks, etc.

The company I installed this for is gathering all their licenses together
and verifying them against what is installed on their computers. So, this
is
obviously creating questions. I even uninstalled and re-installed the
software, making sure I typed the proper key in. After completion, it
lists
a completely different key.

So, I need to either show them that this is normal with some OEM software
and have something official that states that, or I need a way to have the
proper key show up for the workstation it was installed in.

Since an OEM version of Office is only to be sold preinstalled on a newly
purchased computer is it possible the software you are using isn't authentic
and why the keys are not matching?
--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Melton
What is a Microsoft MVP? http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/mvpfaqs

Guides for the Office 2007 Interface:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx

 

[Earle Horton]

Are you saying that OEM copies of Office 2003 all show the same Product Key
in Belarc Advisor? As you probably know, people who install OEM software
are responsible for support. If you are enrolled in the Microsoft Partner
Program you can submit a question to an OEM System Builder Newsgroup. Those
groups are staffed by Microsoft Product Support Services people, unlike
these public groups.

https://partner.microsoft.com/US/supportsecurity

Click on the Program Membership link if you are not already a member. If
you are one already click on "Unlimited, No-Cost Online Technical Support".
I think an answer from one of those groups would qualify as the "something
official" that you are looking for. It might be a problem, that I don't see
a discussion group for Office 2003, but you could submit your question in
one of the general groups.

Good luck.

Earle

I used a few different programs, including Belarc, and they all gave the
same
key. We are not disposing of computers or installing this software on any
other computers, so I'm not concerned about the EULA as it is not
relevant.
The question was simply why, when you install the product and enter the
key,
when it is finished and you run Belarc or any other key finding program,
the
key it finds is not the same key you typed in. It is like the key is
hardcoded despite what you enter. And yes, I know the difference between
a
product key and product ID.

Thanks.

Belarc Advisor should give the correct Product Key. When you say "I use
a
program to lookup the key", which program is that? You are not confusing
the Product Key with the Product ID, are you? That is the number that
you
see in Help, About. I suppose your customer knows that OEM Office 2003
can
only be installed on one computer, ever. When they eventually dispose of
the computers, they may not reinstall these copies of OEM Office 2003 on
replacement computers.

Earle

Which question will Belarc Advisor answer? Did you read my post?

:

Download and run Belarc Advisor.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"



I purchased some OEM versions of Office 2003 Pro and after entering
the
key
and installing the program, when I use a program to lookup the key,
it
does
not match the one I entered. I'm using authentic keys in sealed
cases,
with
hologram disks, etc.

The company I installed this for is gathering all their licenses
together
and verifying them against what is installed on their computers.
So,
this
is
obviously creating questions. I even uninstalled and re-installed
the
software, making sure I typed the proper key in. After completion,
it
lists
a completely different key.

So, I need to either show them that this is normal with some OEM
software
and have something official that states that, or I need a way to
have
the
proper key show up for the workstation it was installed in.

Thanks very much for any help!

 

[HWhite]

I suppose anything is possible, but I've never seen it before where Microsoft
software prompts you for a key, you enter the key, it accepts the key, and
after the install the key doesn't match what you typed in. As far as being
authentic, it is an authentic hologram disk with the packaging wrapped and a
valid certificate of authenticity. It passes all the geniune software checks
Microsoft tells you to look for at
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/windows/ and passes both
activation and the genuine software check when performing office updates.

 

[Earle Horton]

She's talking about the legal requirements of OEM software, but the way I
understand it "system builder" can also be anyone who adds value to a system
by for example installing OEM software and then supporting it, which is what
you are doing. Many people think that OEM software is only for computers
that you buy pre-loaded at WalMart etc., but it isn't really so. People who
refurbish computers are also eligible to resell it, for example.

I signed up for the Partner Program, even though all I do is install OEM
software on my own home-built computers. It gets me some great junk mail
and also lets me sign in to special discussion groups for system builders.
There is a chance that Microsoft PSS could answer your question there.

The following link is for an article on how to replace a lost Office Product
Key. People at the number listed could maybe tell you what is happening.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA011508341033.aspx?pid=CL100636481033

Earle

 

[Beth Melton]

The OEM System Builder Packaging and Licensing specifies the software must
be distributed with a fully assembled computer system and must be
preinstalled. So while refurbishing a computer and reselling it with the OEM
software installed is covered, it also states:

"Unless otherwise expressly authorized by Microsoft, you must not advertise,
provide a separate price for,
or otherwise market or distribute the software, or any part of it, as a
separate item from the fully assembled
computer system; except to the extent necessary to advertise, set a price or
fee, or otherwise market or
distribute Microsoft software."

Which as I interpret it, means Office can't be sold to a client who already
owns their computers.

Here's a link to the OEM System Builder License and is similar to what I
read in the past for Office 2003:
http://oem.microsoft.com/public/sblicense/2007_office_licenses/english.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Beth Melton
Microsoft Office MVP
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Melton
What is a Microsoft MVP? http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/gp/mvpfaqs

Guides for the Office 2007 Interface:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/HA102295841033.aspx

 

[Earle Horton]

I figured that's what you were talking about. ;^)

Earle