Office update screwup - HELP!! (Please)

[PT]

Word (Office OSX) has been getting buggy, so I went to MS site and
downloaded the update.

When I installed, it wants me to re-enter my CD key, which I have
lost(along with the CD a couple of moves ago- the life of a student!)
I never thought about this as I had a registered version and I thought
it would just recognize that and just install the update. If I would
have known, I could have jotted down the serial number before the
upgrade.

Is there some way I can access the serial number off my computer? (Is
it still there?) I have lots of projects in the next little bit, and
while I can open the files in Keynote or Text Edit, I would like to be
able to use the native software that worked just this morning. {

If the serial number is not on the computer, can I just call MS. They
want us to register, but do they keep track of that stuff? If I can
call, does anyone know what dept?

Thanks!

Tom

 

[Mickey Stevens]

You need to contact Microsoft Product Support Services to request a
new key. You will need proof of ownership.
<http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;EN-US;CNTACTMS>

Unfortunately, if you don't have some proof of ownership, they probably
won't be able to help you.

 

[CyberTaz]

You aren't trying to 'update' *Office X* with the *Office 2004* update are
you? These are 2 separate releases.

From the content in your post ("Office OSX") it isn't clear which you have.
However, I don't believe appropriate updates require entering the CD key.

 

[JE McGimpsey]

When I installed, it wants me to re-enter my CD key, which I have
lost(along with the CD a couple of moves ago- the life of a student!)
I never thought about this as I had a registered version and I thought
it would just recognize that and just install the update. If I would
have known, I could have jotted down the serial number before the
upgrade.

Is there some way I can access the serial number off my computer? (Is
it still there?) I have lots of projects in the next little bit, and
while I can open the files in Keynote or Text Edit, I would like to be
able to use the native software that worked just this morning. {

If the serial number is not on the computer, can I just call MS. They
want us to register, but do they keep track of that stuff? If I can
call, does anyone know what dept?

As others have pointed out, your post is a bit ambiguous regarding the
version you're trying to use and the updater you downloaded.

In general, you should not need your CD Key for an update using the
proper version's updater, but see below**.

AFAIK, the product ID which is stored on your computer is a one-way hash
of your CD Key, so it's not possible to recover your CD Key from
anything stored (unless, like me, you store all your CD Keys in an
encrypted text file).

Yes you can call MS with proof of ownership. However, registration is
purely a marketing function, allowing you to sign up for an email
newsletter. It doesn't establish any proof of purchase. It would be nice
if they stored a record for you, as Adobe does, but they don't.



**For the Google archives: MS does periodically, in their updates,
disable keys which have been pirated or widely distributed.