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General discussion

How do I get MS Office back?!?!

Oct 6, 2004 9:42AM PDT

Hi. I recently had to repair my pc and now my MS Office does not work. It's saying "this action is only valid for products that are currently installed." I had it installed and all the MS applications are there under Start All Programs, but when I try lclicking on them, that message pops up. I don't have MS Office cd... what can I do??

I need these applications for school? What can I do to bring them back? Thanks for the help.

Desperate Sad

Discussion is locked

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Re: How do I get MS Office back?!?!
Oct 6, 2004 10:34AM PDT

When I see that, I uninstall and reinstall it.

If you don't have the CD, then you have to move to Open Office which is free to download at http://www.openoffice.org It's what I use.

Bob

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Re: How do I get MS Office back?!?!
Oct 6, 2004 10:50AM PDT

There's no other way to get it back without the cd? OpenOffice doesn't have the same things MS Office has and I need MS Office for school (we use Access, Excel, etc for school projects). So it's not gonna work for me, right?

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No CD?
Oct 6, 2004 10:57AM PDT

Microsoft will replace your missing CD for about 20 bucks. Last time I got in in 3 days, but I hear you can pay more and get it overnight.

BTW, for Access I just use MySQL instead. It's more powerful and costs less.

Bob

PS. Sorry, the CD is required. Same for the OS.

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Re: No CD?
Oct 6, 2004 11:22AM PDT

How do I get them to send me another CD? Is it another install cd with a product key and stuff? How do I contact them to send me a cd?

I'd use other programs, but my classes require MS Office applications to do our homework. So I have to have MS Office.

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Here's the contact information.
Oct 6, 2004 11:41AM PDT
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Ok, I'll try calling them
Oct 6, 2004 8:57PM PDT

OK, thank you. I will try to call today. Do they ask for any information?

Thank u for your help Happy

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Re: Ok, I'll try calling them
Oct 6, 2004 10:06PM PDT
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Re: How do I get MS Office to open with new XP Pro OS????
Oct 18, 2004 11:40AM PDT

Aloha Bob,
I have the same message (must be installed - reinstall . . .) BUT it is after I installed Windows XP Pro (previously had XP Home). XP Home did not auto-uninstalled when I installed XP Pro. MS Office 2000 Small Business is still on the machine, but does not open when I am in XP Pro??? It does open from XP Home desktop. When I reinstall it does not accept my original CD KEY # - or any others I have "borrowed". HELP!!!
GjS

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It's the same answer but with more answers.
Oct 18, 2004 11:54AM PDT

1. Always be honest about your license situation. It does no good if you have a "copy" of the Office CD and not a clear "I bought it" license...

2. http://www.microsoft.com/office/ork/2003/tools/BoxA13.htm

In short, a tool that cleans prior installs more thoroughly. Be sure your backup of documents and emails is current.

3. When you install XP, it can install multiple copies of the OS, but "not much" will carry over from another OS from what little I can guess you did. To replace Home with Pro, you have to take care to answer every question just so. I wasn't there so I can't know where it derailed.

4. Fixing Office might be easy. But can be impossible if you don't have a RETAIL FULL COPY or something that behaves the same. This is done on purpose since some BUNDLED OEM versions have a restricted license that you can't just install as you please. Again, I have no cure for that...

Bob