Problem with Office2003.

[Frank Martin]

I bought a computer three years ago with Office2003 already
installed which has worked perfectly, but just the other day
I get a popup message called "Microsoft Office Genuine
Advantage" which will pop up whenever I start Office, and
which invites me to purchase and validate a copy of
Office2007.

Is this some form of virus?

Also, there is a small star permanently affixed to the
bottom left-hand corner of the screen related to this
problem.

Please help, Frank

 

[Bob I]

It could be they caught up with the pirate. See the Office link here.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.aspx?displaylang=en

 

[Frank Martin]

It could be they caught up with the pirate. See the Office
link here.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/default.aspx?displaylang=en

Thanks; what will ultimately happen if I simply do nothing?
I am quite happy with the Office2003.

 

[Earle Horton]

I am thinking that your computer has a pirate copy of Office 2003 with an
"activation exploit" installed, or perhaps a stolen Produce Key, etc. Now
Microsoft Update is trying to install an update to Office, and it is failing
Genuine Advantage, just like the link that Bob posted says. Do you have
documentation that came with your computer, that says that genuine Office
2003 is installed? Do you have a Product Key and install media for Office
2003? Maybe the installer/seller simply forgot to enter the correct Product
Key. Maybe as the web site says you are a victim of fraud. You could sue
them in small claims court. The stature of limitations is one year in most
jurisdictions, but that is one year from the date you discover the injury.
You could report them to the piracy hotline.

I would contact the seller, and if that failed I would contact Microsoft as
the page says.

Otoh, you could turn off Automatic Updates, use System Restore to back up to
before you got the first Genuine Advantage message, and then check the box
to ignore the update that triggered it. If you set Windows Update to inform
you of updates before installing, you should be able to spot pretty easily
which one is giving all the trouble. If you choose this method, you will
not be able to install any more updates to Office 2003, including those that
might actually be useful.

I don't think that your copy of Office will stop working, but please let us
know if it does.

Earle

 

[Peter Foldes]

Frank

In line

That is a sign that you have a Pirated version of Office installed.

Thanks; what will ultimately happen if I simply do nothing? I am quite happy with
the Office2003.

You are going to get more and more surprises which you will not enjoy. Purchase a
legal copy of Office and before installing it uninstall your present version

 

[Frank Martin]

Thanks: I did check my updates log and I discovered on the
18March the following.

{3974428F-6635-4709-BDE1-8FDC31187CD7} 2009-03-18
07:57:28:953+1100 1 183 101
{9406E2A1-361E-4759-B559-805C1E9AE388} 100 0
AutomaticUpdates Success Content Install Installation
Successful: Windows successfully installed the following
update: Office Genuine Advantage Notifications (KB949810)
en-us


I assume this is the culprit.

 

[Bob I]

Thanks; what will ultimately happen if I simply do nothing?
I am quite happy with the Office2003.

Impossible for us users to know the future of the Genuine Advantage
programming.