Windows Installer Appears When Word 2003 Opens, Prevents Access!

[Little Brother]

I just got a new notebook loaded with Windows XP, then realized I
needed to separately purchase Word 2003. I did a "full installation"
of Word 2003 without any apparent problem, then went to Office Updates
and downloaded a Service Pack.

When I try to OPEN Word, however, the "Windows Installer" dialogue box
pops up on top of the usual "Document 1" page and displays an "Office"
Installation Screen exactly like the one that first appears when you
install Word-- the one with fields to enter your full name, initials,
and the product number from the label on the package.

If you enter this info, including the product number from the Word
2003 CD you just installed, you get an error message telling you that
your product number is invalid. If you select "Cancel" or try to exit
(click on X), Word closes. This is a trap, or circular dead end. The
"Begin Installation" dialogue box won't go away on its own, it won't
accept your bona-fide product number, and it takes down Word 2003 if
you close the spurious installation box.

I've run the "reinstall and repair" option, but even though I get a
message stating that Word 2003 has successfully been
reinstalled/repaired, the Windows Installer keeps appearing and
killing the application. I found a Microsoft Bulletin (don't have it
here at work) that appears to address exactly this issue, but none of
the recommended fixes worked. (It asked me to download a Windows 2000
Resource Kit, but since my OS is XP, not 2000, the downloaded
application didn't work.) This bulletin also had me create a "Support
Template," but if you open it (or any Word document, even a WordPad
doc) the same Windows Installer/Begin Installation dialogue box pops
up and renders the application unusable.

I can try to completely UNINSTALL Word 2003 and re-install it, but if
there's an easier fix I'd appreciate finding this out. Thanks.

 

[TF]

Were you logged in as an Administrator when you did the installation and
update? If not, then you may just need to log back in as Administrator and
follow the dialog again.



:I just got a new notebook loaded with Windows XP, then realized I
: needed to separately purchase Word 2003. I did a "full installation"
: of Word 2003 without any apparent problem, then went to Office Updates
: and downloaded a Service Pack.
:
: When I try to OPEN Word, however, the "Windows Installer" dialogue box
: pops up on top of the usual "Document 1" page and displays an "Office"
: Installation Screen exactly like the one that first appears when you
: install Word-- the one with fields to enter your full name, initials,
: and the product number from the label on the package.
:
: If you enter this info, including the product number from the Word
: 2003 CD you just installed, you get an error message telling you that
: your product number is invalid. If you select "Cancel" or try to exit
: (click on X), Word closes. This is a trap, or circular dead end. The
: "Begin Installation" dialogue box won't go away on its own, it won't
: accept your bona-fide product number, and it takes down Word 2003 if
: you close the spurious installation box.
:
: I've run the "reinstall and repair" option, but even though I get a
: message stating that Word 2003 has successfully been
: reinstalled/repaired, the Windows Installer keeps appearing and
: killing the application. I found a Microsoft Bulletin (don't have it
: here at work) that appears to address exactly this issue, but none of
: the recommended fixes worked. (It asked me to download a Windows 2000
: Resource Kit, but since my OS is XP, not 2000, the downloaded
: application didn't work.) This bulletin also had me create a "Support
: Template," but if you open it (or any Word document, even a WordPad
: doc) the same Windows Installer/Begin Installation dialogue box pops
: up and renders the application unusable.
:
: I can try to completely UNINSTALL Word 2003 and re-install it, but if
: there's an easier fix I'd appreciate finding this out. Thanks.

 

[garfield-n-odie]

In addition to what TF said, your new notebook might have the trial version
of Office 2003 preinstalled by the computer manufacturer, and having two
copies of Word/Office 2003 on the same computer can cause the behavior you're
describing. See http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321346 "You are prompted
for the product key when you open an Office program" for more info.

 

[Little Brother]

In addition to what TF said, your new notebook might have the trial version
of Office 2003 preinstalled by the computer manufacturer, and having two
copies of Word/Office 2003 on the same computer can cause the behavior you're
describing. See http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=321346 "You are prompted
for the product key when you open an Office program" for more info.

There WAS a trial version of Office 2003 preinstalled! I uninstalled
it and the Windows Installer/Product Key screens went away. Now I can
access Word 2003. I only wish that Microsoft had included a fix, even
in the form of a "warning" dialogue box, to clue users in.

However, I'm pleased and grateful that this resource exists. Thanks
for your attention, consideration, and sound advice!

-- Little Brøther

 

[garfield-n-odie]

Glad you got things working again.

There WAS a trial version of Office 2003 preinstalled! I uninstalled
it and the Windows Installer/Product Key screens went away. Now I can
access Word 2003. I only wish that Microsoft had included a fix, even
in the form of a "warning" dialogue box, to clue users in.

However, I'm pleased and grateful that this resource exists. Thanks
for your attention, consideration, and sound advice!

-- Little Brøther