won't accept my product key

[Brian L]

I formatted my pc and tried to again install my copy of Visio 2003. Now it
won't accept my product key. Any thoughts? I went back and tried to locate
any old Visio folders and/or files to delete but still no go. One big
drawback to Microsoft. When reinstalling software on the same single machine
product keys are still often not accepted. This is a volume license version
of visio 2003.

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

Could you post the exact error message?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

 

[Brian L]

Well, I appreciate your reply, but it appears I am simply out of luck. I
purchased it through a "discount to students" program. I called Microsoft to
see about getting a new product key. They said they will not help. said I
must go through the company I purchased it for support. Conveniently, that
company did not provide any contact info and I cannot locate them online now.
I bought it 2 years ago. Captain [something] was the name of the company.
Can't remember and they put no identifying info on the disc of packaging.
Nice. So...I guess I'm out the money.

Still doesn't seem right though. It is a Microsoft product which I paid for
and purchased honestly.

Could you post the exact error message?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

I formatted my pc and tried to again install my copy of Visio 2003. Now it
won't accept my product key. Any thoughts? I went back and tried to locate
any old Visio folders and/or files to delete but still no go. One big
drawback to Microsoft. When reinstalling software on the same single
machine
product keys are still often not accepted. This is a volume license
version
of visio 2003.

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

You may have paid with your hard-earned money but your issue is with Captain
[something], not Microsoft.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

Well, I appreciate your reply, but it appears I am simply out of luck. I
purchased it through a "discount to students" program. I called Microsoft
to
see about getting a new product key. They said they will not help. said I
must go through the company I purchased it for support. Conveniently, that
company did not provide any contact info and I cannot locate them online
now.
I bought it 2 years ago. Captain [something] was the name of the company.
Can't remember and they put no identifying info on the disc of packaging.
Nice. So...I guess I'm out the money.

Still doesn't seem right though. It is a Microsoft product which I paid
for
and purchased honestly.

Could you post the exact error message?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

I formatted my pc and tried to again install my copy of Visio 2003. Now
it
won't accept my product key. Any thoughts? I went back and tried to
locate
any old Visio folders and/or files to delete but still no go. One big
drawback to Microsoft. When reinstalling software on the same single
machine
product keys are still often not accepted. This is a volume license
version
of visio 2003.

 

[Brian L]

Yes, I believe that's why I said a "thank you" for the reply and said myself
that the issue basically could not be resolved, "thanks and nevermind" I
believe is what I said. So, was such a reply really necessary? But it is
resolved. I simply found another less expensive software that does everything
Visio does and once purchased as long as I have the cd will be less
problematic. I heard Microsoft the first time and explained that already.

You may have paid with your hard-earned money but your issue is with Captain
[something], not Microsoft.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

Well, I appreciate your reply, but it appears I am simply out of luck. I
purchased it through a "discount to students" program. I called Microsoft
to
see about getting a new product key. They said they will not help. said I
must go through the company I purchased it for support. Conveniently, that
company did not provide any contact info and I cannot locate them online
now.
I bought it 2 years ago. Captain [something] was the name of the company.
Can't remember and they put no identifying info on the disc of packaging.
Nice. So...I guess I'm out the money.

Still doesn't seem right though. It is a Microsoft product which I paid
for
and purchased honestly.

Could you post the exact error message?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375




I formatted my pc and tried to again install my copy of Visio 2003. Now
it
won't accept my product key. Any thoughts? I went back and tried to
locate
any old Visio folders and/or files to delete but still no go. One big
drawback to Microsoft. When reinstalling software on the same single
machine
product keys are still often not accepted. This is a volume license
version
of visio 2003.

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

Sorry - I didn't see a thank you in your response. I did see frustration
(completely understandable) and I just wanted you to realize where that
frustration needed to be directed.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

Yes, I believe that's why I said a "thank you" for the reply and said
myself
that the issue basically could not be resolved, "thanks and nevermind" I
believe is what I said. So, was such a reply really necessary? But it is
resolved. I simply found another less expensive software that does
everything
Visio does and once purchased as long as I have the cd will be less
problematic. I heard Microsoft the first time and explained that already.

You may have paid with your hard-earned money but your issue is with
Captain
[something], not Microsoft.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

Well, I appreciate your reply, but it appears I am simply out of luck.
I
purchased it through a "discount to students" program. I called
Microsoft
to
see about getting a new product key. They said they will not help. said
I
must go through the company I purchased it for support. Conveniently,
that
company did not provide any contact info and I cannot locate them
online
now.
I bought it 2 years ago. Captain [something] was the name of the
company.
Can't remember and they put no identifying info on the disc of
packaging.
Nice. So...I guess I'm out the money.

Still doesn't seem right though. It is a Microsoft product which I paid
for
and purchased honestly.

:

Could you post the exact error message?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375




I formatted my pc and tried to again install my copy of Visio 2003.
Now
it
won't accept my product key. Any thoughts? I went back and tried to
locate
any old Visio folders and/or files to delete but still no go. One
big
drawback to Microsoft. When reinstalling software on the same single
machine
product keys are still often not accepted. This is a volume license
version
of visio 2003.

 

[Al Edlund]

It can be a very uncomfortable lesson to learn that the ultimate cost of
software is directly related to the amount of support that the 'seller', not
the originator, is willing to provide. The 'seller' obviously purchases the
software at a reduced rate with the understanding that they do not get to
pass-thru the support calls. Ultimately this is the "if it's too good to be
true, then it probably isn't". If the user absolutely needs support then a
middle man scenario is probably a very bad bet.
Al
(used to sell for an even bigger software vendor than MS)

Sorry - I didn't see a thank you in your response. I did see frustration
(completely understandable) and I just wanted you to realize where that
frustration needed to be directed.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

Yes, I believe that's why I said a "thank you" for the reply and said
myself
that the issue basically could not be resolved, "thanks and nevermind" I
believe is what I said. So, was such a reply really necessary? But it is
resolved. I simply found another less expensive software that does
everything
Visio does and once purchased as long as I have the cd will be less
problematic. I heard Microsoft the first time and explained that already.

You may have paid with your hard-earned money but your issue is with
Captain
[something], not Microsoft.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375




Well, I appreciate your reply, but it appears I am simply out of luck.
I
purchased it through a "discount to students" program. I called
Microsoft
to
see about getting a new product key. They said they will not help.
said I
must go through the company I purchased it for support. Conveniently,
that
company did not provide any contact info and I cannot locate them
online
now.
I bought it 2 years ago. Captain [something] was the name of the
company.
Can't remember and they put no identifying info on the disc of
packaging.
Nice. So...I guess I'm out the money.

Still doesn't seem right though. It is a Microsoft product which I
paid
for
and purchased honestly.

:

Could you post the exact error message?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375




I formatted my pc and tried to again install my copy of Visio 2003.
Now
it
won't accept my product key. Any thoughts? I went back and tried to
locate
any old Visio folders and/or files to delete but still no go. One
big
drawback to Microsoft. When reinstalling software on the same
single
machine
product keys are still often not accepted. This is a volume license
version
of visio 2003.

 

[Paddy]

It can be a very uncomfortable lesson to learn that the ultimate cost of
software is directly related to the amount of support that the 'seller',
not the originator, is willing to provide. The 'seller' obviously
purchases the software at a reduced rate with the understanding that they
do not get to pass-thru the support calls. Ultimately this is the "if it's
too good to be true, then it probably isn't". If the user absolutely needs
support then a middle man scenario is probably a very bad bet.
Al
(used to sell for an even bigger software vendor than MS)

This is a recurring situation that illustrates the obfuscatory nature of MS
software purchase.

MS consistently say that they do not SELL the SOFTWARE, but merely license
its use under the terms of the EULA. That being so, then since Brian L's
issue is the software not accepting the MS licence key provided with it by
MS via the seller, it is evidently a licensing issue, which resides with MS.

One can purchase MS software from a reseller, whether retail, bundles or
OEM. Installation or reinstallation issues are in MS's court. They wrote
the software; they issue the licences.

On the other hand, if it suits MS to on-sell software and support
responsibility to resellers, then evidently one who purchases software from
such a reseller can do with it what one pleases, because MS evidently
doesn't give a rat's arse.

MS can't have it both ways.

 

[Brian L]

yes, it is a problem. I bought a GM auto once from a dealer. Had problems and
the dealer couldn't resolve them. They sent me to the manufacturer and they
took care of me. Because it was a "GM" product sold through whatever means to
a customer with good faith.

This is still a MS product. So even though my problem will not be resolved I
do still see a problem with a MS manufactured product ending up in the hands
of a customer who purchase it honestly, not thru piracy or whatever, having
problems and being told..."Oh Well, we didn;t sell it to you". Yep, but you
basically sold it thru a dealer just like GM did in my example above. An MS
product is an MS product. With design and manufacture come a greater level of
responsibility to "end users" than MS is willing to step up to. There is no
good way to look at it.

All other manufacturers of any kind I know of take responsibility for the
products they sell.

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

When you agree to the license agreement, you agree to abide by their rules.
If you don't, you are instructed to return the product. Most people just hit
the OK button without reading it - that's *never* a good idea.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

 

[Paddy]

When you agree to the license agreement, you agree to abide by their
rules. If you don't, you are instructed to return the product. Most people
just hit the OK button without reading it - that's *never* a good idea.

Yes - that is the MS line. We are saying it is wrong.

I searched my Windows XP EULA for the term "OEM" (not found) and the word
"original" - in case EULA was spelled out. Nup.

Someone at MS obviously has brown eyes.

Paddy

 

[Paddy]

Yes - that is the MS line. We are saying it is wrong.

I searched my Windows XP EULA for the term "OEM" (not found) and the word
"original" - in case EULA was spelled out. Nup.

I mean of course " - in case OEM was spelled out."

Paddy

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

It's their product and they can make the rules about it's use. Just because
you don't agree with it doesn't make it wrong.

BTW - I am not a Microsoft employee. I am a volunteer who respects
Microsoft's rights.

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

 

[Paddy]

BTW - I am not a Microsoft employee. I am a volunteer who respects
Microsoft's rights.

Yes - I understand your status, JoAnn. I have enormous respect for MVPs and
the MVP program. I was one of the many who screamed blue murder to MS when
they were going to terminate the MVP program.

We customers/users/professionals get far more info and sense from you
marvellous MVPs than from MS itself. I have only a few rankles about MS
software.

It is the corporate thugs and shambling, twisted horrors that slither round
the Redmond dungeons that I have total loathing and contempt for.

Paddy

 

[JoAnn Paules [MVP]]

Sometimes you have to make a choice - follow your heart or play by their
rules. You are the one in control as long as it's your name on the credit
card. There are a few businesses that I will not deal with because I have
issues with their business practices. Because of that I sometimes have to
drive a little further to get something I need/want. Sometimes I have to do
without. Ya do what ya hafta do, ya know?

--

JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]

~~~~~
How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/KB/555375

 

[Paddy]

Sometimes you have to make a choice - follow your heart or play by their
rules. (snip)

Yup. We have choice - take it or leave it.

Sadly, the world is stuck with M$ .... like the world is stuck with that
appalling oaf Dubya.

Paddy