Is it possible that what actually came pre-installed was the trial version
of Office rather than the 'live' product? Was your Office package sealed?
If you're determined to pursue this on your own you'll find information here
that will assist you in doing a proper Removal & installation of Office as
well as the appropriate method for re-entering the Product Key --
Specifically topics #1, #2b, & #5d. Be sure to Update as suggested:
http://www.entourage.mvps.org/install/index.html
Not to chastise, but just for general info based on past experience:
Whenever you encounter a problem with "pre-installed" software the first
step is to contact the source from whom it was obtained. Their support
should know how the software was installed, what it was installed from, &
how to resolve any issues that may have been caused by their methods.
If the vendor is unable or unwilling to help, the next step is to contact
support for the specific software involved. Especially if the software can't
be used, the developer will be able to assist & typically will not charge
for the support... It isn't to their advantage to have Users unable to use
their product. That's why -- in the case of that particular package -- the
contact information for Product Support is included on the very first page
of the Install Guide. I'm not saying that it's the case here, but there is a
great deal of 'bootlegging' that goes on in the computer industry, so
depending on the source you may actually have an invalid product key. MS can
help confirm that your key is valid & assist from there. Even if it isn't
willfully illegal some vendors take shortcuts that shouldn't be taken.
Also, "Moving Office to the Trash" is rarely going to accomplish anything
other than to compound whatever problem you are hoping to solve... At best,
it does nothing but replace what *isn't* causing the problem with a fresh
copy of the same stuff. Since that method works for many of the less complex
programs it gives the impression that it is the correct practice for all. In
the case of more complex apps -- particularly suites -- there is much more
involved, so trashing files is worthless unless you know exactly what files
need to be trashed & where to find them all.
HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac
