Simple Questions

[Linda]

I've been trying to find out about my Office 2003 Small Business product
which I purchased with my Dell laptop. I tried to intall the software on my
desktop but was not able to. Something about the product already having been
installed a certain number of times. I thought that I had purchased the full
programs like I would have in the store and that I would be able to use this
product on all of my personal computers (I have 3). How can I get help with
this question? I don't understand all the FAQs stuff about licensing... I
don't know what applies to me...

I also think that the "Contact Us" section of the website needs to a little
less vague. I certainly hope that Microsoft is not going to charge a
customer for support when they are looking to find answers to simple
questions like the one that I am asking. The language used on the site now
and all the pricing information listed does not really show that this may be
possible.

 

[Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]]

OEM Office versions can only be installed on the computer with which it was
purchased. If you want to install Office on any other machine, you will
need to purchase a retail version.

--
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After searching google.groups.com and finding no answer, Linda asked:

| I've been trying to find out about my Office 2003 Small Business
| product which I purchased with my Dell laptop. I tried to intall the
| software on my desktop but was not able to. Something about the
| product already having been installed a certain number of times. I
| thought that I had purchased the full programs like I would have in
| the store and that I would be able to use this product on all of my
| personal computers (I have 3). How can I get help with this
| question? I don't understand all the FAQs stuff about licensing... I
| don't know what applies to me...
|
| I also think that the "Contact Us" section of the website needs to a
| little less vague. I certainly hope that Microsoft is not going to
| charge a customer for support when they are looking to find answers
| to simple questions like the one that I am asking. The language
| used on the site now and all the pricing information listed does not
| really show that this may be possible.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

If your copy of Office 2003 Small Business came preinstalled by Dell on
your laptop, then it is considered OEM software and cannot be installed
on any other computer. OEM software is functionally the same as retail
software. The purchase price of OEM software is less than the retail
price, but the license is more restricted and you have to talk to Dell
(not Microsoft) if you need technical support. You get what you pay for
(and you don't get what you don't pay for).

If you had purchased a retail copy of Office 2003 Standard,
Professional, or Small Business from a retail store or an online store,
then you would be licensed to install the software on one laptop and one
desktop computer owned by you as long as both computers are not used at
the same time.

If you had purchased Office 2003 Students and Teachers Edition and you
were a qualified educational user, then you would be licensed to install
the software on three computers in your household for non-commercial use
by people who live in your household.