office xp re-install

[Pam]

i have teenagers. I reformatted my desktop computer running XP for the third
time. when I tried to reinstall office xp standard (3rd time installed on
same computer), the disk would not read. I ended up installing it by using
another copy that I had purchased for my laptop (no teenagers allowed to use
it) and using the product key from the desktop copy. Does this mean that the
laptop copy will then be 'blank' if I ever have to reformat my laptop?

 

[Alias]

i have teenagers. I reformatted my desktop computer running XP for the third
time. when I tried to reinstall office xp standard (3rd time installed on
same computer), the disk would not read. I ended up installing it by using
another copy that I had purchased for my laptop (no teenagers allowed to use
it) and using the product key from the desktop copy. Does this mean that the
laptop copy will then be 'blank' if I ever have to reformat my laptop?

You don't buy the media, you buy the license. You have two licenses so
no problems. I would make a back up copy of your one good disk while you
still can.

Alias

 

[Jay Freedman]

i have teenagers. I reformatted my desktop computer running XP for
the third time. when I tried to reinstall office xp standard (3rd
time installed on same computer), the disk would not read. I ended
up installing it by using another copy that I had purchased for my
laptop (no teenagers allowed to use it) and using the product key
from the desktop copy. Does this mean that the laptop copy will then
be 'blank' if I ever have to reformat my laptop?

No, it doesn't mean that at all. The failure of the first disk to be read
doesn't have anything to do with the number of times you used it, either.
The disk might be scratched or dirty (try rinsing it in warm water, no soap,
and drying it with a clean, soft, lint-free cloth).

When Office is reinstalled on the same machine, there should be no
difficulty finishing the installation. You'll have to activate the installed
software (usually over the Internet), and it should recognize that it's on
the same machine as before. If it says the maximum number of activations
have already been done, you'll have to call a phone number and explain the
situation.

Retail copies of Office generally allow installation and activation of the
same copy on one desktop and one laptop for use by the same person -- read
the End User License Agreement to see whether that applies to you.

By the way, does the possession of teenagers have something to do with
needing to reformat the computer so often? I don't have teenagers (passed
that stage more than 10 years ago), and I've never had to reformat; maybe
there's something to the theory after all.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP
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