Problem installing Office 2004 11.5.1 update

[HMB]

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

Microsoft AutoUpdate notified me that the Office 2004 11.5.1 update was available.I easily downloaded the software, agreed to the terms & entered my password.

Two boxes appeared: One indicated that it was "searching for programs to update" & the 2nd indicated that the software was being installed. A small colored circle kept spinning round & round. The software did not install & I had to force quit.

I could not install the software using either AutoUpdate or manual update. Rebooting did not help. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thank you.
HMB

 

[Diane Ross]

I could not install the software using either AutoUpdate or manual update.
Rebooting did not help. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Did you move Office after you installed? Did you make a "sandbox" and are
using that copy of Office?

1. Restart and hold down shift key when logging into your account to disable
all open applications. Launch AutoUpdater from the application folder. Let
it download and install. Does this help?

 

[Guest]

I haven't moved Office.

I don't know what you mean by "sandbox".

I tried what you suggested but the spinning circle appeared again & the software didn't install. All previous updates installed flawlessly.

Thank you for your prompt reply.
HMB

 

[Diane Ross]

I haven't moved Office.

I don't know what you mean by "sandbox".

We've discussed using SuperDuper!(backup software) before, but this is an
excellent time to remind users about a feature it has that protects you from
system updates that so bad. It also copies some of your applications like
Office to the Sandbox.

One of the options in SuperDuper! is to create what the author calls a
"Sandbox". It's used to revert to pre-update state of your OS. Here's a
description of how this option works:

A Sandbox is a bootable copy of your system, stored on another hard drive or
partition, that shares your personal documents and data with the original.
With SuperDuper!, you actually use the Sandbox as your startup volume. You
can safely install any system updates, drivers or programs in the Sandbox,
without worrying about what might happen to your system. If anything goes
wrong, you can simply start up from the original system. SuperDuper! has
preserved it in its original, pre-disaster state but all your new and
changed personal documents are totally up to date. Within minutes, you're up
and running again without having to go through a difficult and
time-consuming restore process.

SuperDuper! Is $27.95. I¹m not affiliated with the product. Just a satisfied

I tried what you suggested but the spinning circle appeared again & the
software didn't install. All previous updates installed flawlessly.

Try these steps:

1. Restart your computer and hold the Shift key down when logging in to your
User's account to disable all applications.

2. Select Microsoft AutoUpdate from the root Application folder.

3. Download and see if the install works.

If not, then you might have to remove Office and reinstall then update.

1. Be sure all applications are not running. Log in/out with Shift key to
disable all.
2. Drag the Office 2004 folder to the trash and delete.
3. Insert your CD installer for Office and install.
4. Restart and again log in with Shift key down.
5. Run Microsoft AutoUpdate and update to 11.5.0
6. Restart
7. Run Microsoft AutoUpdate and update to 11.5.1
8. Restart

Let me know which option worked for you.

 

[Guest]

You told me to "Select Microsoft AutoUpdate from the root Application folder."
I've only been using a Mac for a few months and am not sure what the "root" Application folder is or where to find it.

HMB

 

[William Smith [MVP]]

wrote:

You told me to "Select Microsoft AutoUpdate from the root Application
folder." I've only been using a Mac for a few months and am not sure
what the "root" Application folder is or where to find it.

Consider the top level of your hard drive the "root". When you
double-click its icon to open it you'll see Applications, Library,
System and Users folders.

You want the Applications folder that you see at the "root" of your hard
drive. You may possibly have one or more Applications folders that
you've created yourself in other locations but you want the top-level
Applications folder.

Hope this helps!

--

bill

Entourage Help Page <http://entourage.mvps.org/>
Entourage Help Blog <http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/>
YouTalk <http://nine.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/youtalk>
Twitter: follow <http://twitter.com/meck>

 

[Guest]

Hi Diane,
I uninstalled & then reinstalled Office following your instructions of August 15.
I ran AutoUpdate, but this time could not even update to 11.5.0. Again a small colored circle kept spinning & I had to force quit.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.
HMB

 

[Guest]

I uninstalled and reinstalled Office 2004 again but still could not install the updates.
Before the installation began I read "Before you begin 'If you have the Office 2004 Test Drive installed, remove it from your computer'".
Is the Test Drive removed when I drag The Office 2004 folder to the trash?
Please help me figure out why I can't install Office updates.
Thank you.
HMB

 

[Diane Ross]

I uninstalled and reinstalled Office 2004 again but still could not install
the updates.
Before the installation began I read "Before you begin 'If you have the Office
2004 Test Drive installed, remove it from your computer'".
Is the Test Drive removed when I drag The Office 2004 folder to the trash?

NO! You must use "Remove Office." The test drive has been notorious in being
problematic in removing. See this page for help.

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/install/demo.html>

To tell if you have the test drive:

Do a Get Info on an Office application, and see if the version ends in
the letters TD.

 

[Guest]

TD does not appear in Get Info in any Office application, so I assume this is not the cause of my problem with Office 2004. What can be preventing the installation of the updates? This is very frustrating!
HMB

 

[Diane Ross]

TD does not appear in Get Info in any Office application, so I assume this is
not the cause of my problem with Office 2004. What can be preventing the
installation of the updates? This is very frustrating!

We have some specific causes for Office 2008 not installing, but have not
for Office 2004. I would still use "Remove Office" and apply the Apple combo
and then try to update.

Do you have anyone that can help you personally check out your Mac and make
sure everything is working properly? Are you having problems with any other
programs?

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Is there anything special I have to know when using "Remove Office" (i.e. anything I
should or should not do)?

What is and how can I apply the "Apple combo"? I looked online and know it has to do with a 10.5.2 update. My version is 10.5.4.

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who can help me with my Mac. I called Apple for help. The person I spoke to had me download and install a game to check if there was a problem with the computer. The installation worked flawlessly.

Thank you.
HMB

 

[Guest]

I forgot to say that I'm not having problems with any other programs.
HMB

 

[Diane Ross]

Is there anything special I have to know when using "Remove Office" (i.e.
anything I
should or should not do)?

"Remove Office" is not supposed to tough your data that is stored in the
Microsoft User Data folder, but with anything it's always wise to have
backups.

What is and how can I apply the "Apple combo"? I looked online and know it has
to do with a 10.5.2 update. My version is 10.5.4.

See this page for help understanding combos.

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/troubleshoot/combo.html>

Let's hope this helps. Let me know.

Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who can help me with my Mac. I called Apple
for help. The person I spoke to had me download and install a game to check if
there was a problem with the computer. The installation worked flawlessly.

You really need to join one of the general Mac mailing lists. It's a good
way to learn and get help.

You¹ll find links for the Mac-L and OSX list on Suggested Links:

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/links.html>

MacOSXHints forums are also excellent for getting help:

<http://www.macosxhints.com/hintsfaq/index.php>

 

[Guest]

Should I proceed in the following order: uninstall using "Remove Office", reinstall Office 2004, apply the "Apple combo" and then update?

Thank you for the links you provided.

HMB

 

[Diane Ross]

Should I proceed in the following order: uninstall using "Remove Office",
reinstall Office 2004, apply the "Apple combo" and then update?

No.

Remove Office
Apply combo
Install Office and update

 

[Guest]

I followed the above instructions in the correct order but still could not update Office 2004. (I removed everything except my files in Remove Office.)

I've been searching the internet for help but haven't found any. I gave up WordPerfect and purchased a Mac because I was led to believe that the latter was user-friendly. At this point, I think I made a mistake. I'm exasperated!

Do you have any suggestions?

HMB

 

[Diane Ross]

I followed the above instructions in the correct order but still could not
update Office 2004. (I removed everything except my files in Remove Office.)

Did you actually run "Remove Office" or did you manually remove files?

Is Office 2004 installed in the Application folder?

Have you tried creating a new User in System Preferences and running the
AutoUpdate from a new User?

Sorry this is going round and round, but your situation is unique.

 

[Guest]

I ran "Remove Office". (I clicked and let it do its own thing. It was very quick.)

Office is in the Application folder as is Microsoft Update.

I just went to System Preferences, then Accounts and set up a new account. I tried to download the updates but couldn't.

What should I do next?

HMB

 

[Diane Ross]

I ran "Remove Office". (I clicked and let it do its own thing. It was very
quick.)

Office is in the Application folder as is Microsoft Update.

"Remove Office" should have removed them. I have never heard of a report of
"Remove Office" not working. Sometimes it doesn't get all the preferences,
but it usually removes the applications.

Follow these directions to manually remove. It applies to Office 2004 also.

MacOFFX: How to Manually Remove Office v. X for Mac from Your Computer

I just went to System Preferences, then Accounts and set up a new account. I
tried to download the updates but couldn't.

This is a separate issue.

This has become a common problem lately in the past several months and
is out of Microsoft's control.

Your ISP's DNS servers, which resolve server names to IP addresses so
that your machine can connect, have given your Mac some bad information.

First, try clearing your computer's DNS cache. It's quick and causes no
Harm:

1. Open the Terminal application found in /Applications/Utilities.
2. Enter this command followed by a return:

dscacheutil -flushcache (for Leopard)
lookupd -flushcache (for Tiger)

3. Try your download again. Your machine should have to query your DNS
servers again for an address.

If the above doesn't work then your ISP's DNS servers are still causing
you a problem. Look into using <http://www.opendns.org/> to substitute
your ISP's DNS server addresses with this service's DNS servers. It's
also very simple and will very probably allow you to download your
updates. You may need to run the above Terminal command again after
changing your DNS servers.

You might also consider just using these new DNS server addresses
permanently. See if your speed accessing websites improves and note
whether or not you have fewer or more problems connecting to sites.

For more information have a look at this blog post:

"Unable to download updates"
<http://blog.entourage.mvps.org/2008/07/unable_to_download_updates.html>

In case the above link does not work:

<http://tinyurl.com/6x98s3>

Hope this helps!

What should I do next?

I can try to work with you off list. Send me an email and we'll set up a
time to conference.

<http://www.entourage.mvps.org/support_options/email.html>