Problem with Product Key for Office 2003 Basic Edition

A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT person.
However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.

We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and Word) but
when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I spoke
with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active from when
the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting a
regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone technician who
will charge a fee to do this.

Can anyone here help with this problem?

And where are you finding the Key?
You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only if its a
retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase

"officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
>A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT person.
> However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
>
> We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and Word)
> but
> when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I spoke
> with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active from
> when
> the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting a
> regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone technician who
> will charge a fee to do this.
>
> Can anyone here help with this problem?

The key is on the back of the cardboard sleeve the disc came in. The
Microsoft rep on the phone said to either go to support.microsoft.com or try
paying the fee via the telephone?

So there is no way I will get help here?

"DL" wrote:

> And where are you finding the Key?
> You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only if its a
> retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase
>
> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
> >A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT person.
> > However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
> >
> > We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and Word)
> > but
> > when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I spoke
> > with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active from
> > when
> > the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting a
> > regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone technician who
> > will charge a fee to do this.
> >
> > Can anyone here help with this problem?
>
>
> .
>

We are not Microsoft employees.

Have you tried double checking the number you are entering? Use good
lighting - the numbers are easily misread.

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"



"officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:A15E11D5-76C8-4F45-8FC3-047FA59227D5@microsoft.com...
> The key is on the back of the cardboard sleeve the disc came in. The
> Microsoft rep on the phone said to either go to support.microsoft.com or
> try
> paying the fee via the telephone?
>
> So there is no way I will get help here?
>
> "DL" wrote:
>
>> And where are you finding the Key?
>> You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only if its
>> a
>> retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase
>>
>> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
>> >A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT
>> >person.
>> > However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
>> >
>> > We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and
>> > Word)
>> > but
>> > when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I
>> > spoke
>> > with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active
>> > from
>> > when
>> > the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting a
>> > regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone technician
>> > who
>> > will charge a fee to do this.
>> >
>> > Can anyone here help with this problem?
>>
>>
>> .
>>

From my recollection Office 2003 has the key afixed to an orange sticker on
the cd case
A key is not active so if Office had been removed incorrectly reinstalling
and entering the key would have had no impact, its only Activation that may
have baulked
Is any other version of Office installed on this PC, eg a Trial?

"officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:A15E11D5-76C8-4F45-8FC3-047FA59227D5@microsoft.com...
> The key is on the back of the cardboard sleeve the disc came in. The
> Microsoft rep on the phone said to either go to support.microsoft.com or
> try
> paying the fee via the telephone?
>
> So there is no way I will get help here?
>
> "DL" wrote:
>
>> And where are you finding the Key?
>> You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only if its
>> a
>> retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase
>>
>> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
>> >A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT
>> >person.
>> > However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
>> >
>> > We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and
>> > Word)
>> > but
>> > when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I
>> > spoke
>> > with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active
>> > from
>> > when
>> > the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting a
>> > regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone technician
>> > who
>> > will charge a fee to do this.
>> >
>> > Can anyone here help with this problem?
>>
>>
>> .
>>

That is weird, because the gentleman on the phone implied that this message
board was made up of Microsoft employees.

And yes, I have entered this code numerous times.

So, there is no way to get this problem resolved without paying money? Seems
a bit ridiculous if that is the case.

"JoAnn Paules" wrote:

> We are not Microsoft employees.
>
> Have you tried double checking the number you are entering? Use good
> lighting - the numbers are easily misread.
>
> --
> JoAnn Paules
> MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
> Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"
>
>
>
> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message news:A15E11D5-76C8-4F45-8FC3-047FA59227D5@microsoft.com...
> > The key is on the back of the cardboard sleeve the disc came in. The
> > Microsoft rep on the phone said to either go to support.microsoft.com or
> > try
> > paying the fee via the telephone?
> >
> > So there is no way I will get help here?
> >
> > "DL" wrote:
> >
> >> And where are you finding the Key?
> >> You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only if its
> >> a
> >> retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase
> >>
> >> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
> >> >A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT
> >> >person.
> >> > However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
> >> >
> >> > We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and
> >> > Word)
> >> > but
> >> > when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I
> >> > spoke
> >> > with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active
> >> > from
> >> > when
> >> > the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting a
> >> > regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone technician
> >> > who
> >> > will charge a fee to do this.
> >> >
> >> > Can anyone here help with this problem?
> >>
> >>
> >> .
> >>
>
> .
>

No trial version that I am aware of.

This is an older computer, so say for instance it came from the manufacturer
with Office already installed on it. Is there any way to get the original
programs (i.e. Office) back on there, without using the disc.

The only reason I say this is that I am starting to think that maybe this
disc did not actually come with this computer.

"DL" wrote:

> From my recollection Office 2003 has the key afixed to an orange sticker on
> the cd case
> A key is not active so if Office had been removed incorrectly reinstalling
> and entering the key would have had no impact, its only Activation that may
> have baulked
> Is any other version of Office installed on this PC, eg a Trial?
>
> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message news:A15E11D5-76C8-4F45-8FC3-047FA59227D5@microsoft.com...
> > The key is on the back of the cardboard sleeve the disc came in. The
> > Microsoft rep on the phone said to either go to support.microsoft.com or
> > try
> > paying the fee via the telephone?
> >
> > So there is no way I will get help here?
> >
> > "DL" wrote:
> >
> >> And where are you finding the Key?
> >> You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only if its
> >> a
> >> retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase
> >>
> >> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
> >> >A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT
> >> >person.
> >> > However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
> >> >
> >> > We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and
> >> > Word)
> >> > but
> >> > when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I
> >> > spoke
> >> > with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active
> >> > from
> >> > when
> >> > the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting a
> >> > regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone technician
> >> > who
> >> > will charge a fee to do this.
> >> >
> >> > Can anyone here help with this problem?
> >>
> >>
> >> .
> >>
>
>
> .
>

If office was supplied with the PC then its an oem version which is
supported by the PC maker and not MS
There is thus no point in calling MS as they wont help with an oem version

"officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:A710C6A4-AE0D-4F7C-9AF4-D22DB31A89F8@microsoft.com...
> No trial version that I am aware of.
>
> This is an older computer, so say for instance it came from the
> manufacturer
> with Office already installed on it. Is there any way to get the original
> programs (i.e. Office) back on there, without using the disc.
>
> The only reason I say this is that I am starting to think that maybe this
> disc did not actually come with this computer.
>
> "DL" wrote:
>
>> From my recollection Office 2003 has the key afixed to an orange sticker
>> on
>> the cd case
>> A key is not active so if Office had been removed incorrectly
>> reinstalling
>> and entering the key would have had no impact, its only Activation that
>> may
>> have baulked
>> Is any other version of Office installed on this PC, eg a Trial?
>>
>> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message news:A15E11D5-76C8-4F45-8FC3-047FA59227D5@microsoft.com...
>> > The key is on the back of the cardboard sleeve the disc came in. The
>> > Microsoft rep on the phone said to either go to support.microsoft.com
>> > or
>> > try
>> > paying the fee via the telephone?
>> >
>> > So there is no way I will get help here?
>> >
>> > "DL" wrote:
>> >
>> >> And where are you finding the Key?
>> >> You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only if
>> >> its
>> >> a
>> >> retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase
>> >>
>> >> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
>> >> >A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT
>> >> >person.
>> >> > However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
>> >> >
>> >> > We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and
>> >> > Word)
>> >> > but
>> >> > when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I
>> >> > spoke
>> >> > with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active
>> >> > from
>> >> > when
>> >> > the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting
>> >> > a
>> >> > regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone
>> >> > technician
>> >> > who
>> >> > will charge a fee to do this.
>> >> >
>> >> > Can anyone here help with this problem?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> .
>> >>
>>
>>
>> .
>>

If he did, he's clueless. It's rare that a Softie ever posts here.

--
JoAnn Paules
MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"



"officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:6852AB62-864B-4DB8-9631-454917F946F0@microsoft.com...
> That is weird, because the gentleman on the phone implied that this
> message
> board was made up of Microsoft employees.
>
> And yes, I have entered this code numerous times.
>
> So, there is no way to get this problem resolved without paying money?
> Seems
> a bit ridiculous if that is the case.
>
> "JoAnn Paules" wrote:
>
>> We are not Microsoft employees.
>>
>> Have you tried double checking the number you are entering? Use good
>> lighting - the numbers are easily misread.
>>
>> --
>> JoAnn Paules
>> MVP Microsoft [Publisher]
>> Tech Editor for "Microsoft Publisher 2007 For Dummies"
>>
>>
>>
>> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message news:A15E11D5-76C8-4F45-8FC3-047FA59227D5@microsoft.com...
>> > The key is on the back of the cardboard sleeve the disc came in. The
>> > Microsoft rep on the phone said to either go to support.microsoft.com
>> > or
>> > try
>> > paying the fee via the telephone?
>> >
>> > So there is no way I will get help here?
>> >
>> > "DL" wrote:
>> >
>> >> And where are you finding the Key?
>> >> You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only if
>> >> its
>> >> a
>> >> retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase
>> >>
>> >> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
>> >> >A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT
>> >> >person.
>> >> > However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
>> >> >
>> >> > We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and
>> >> > Word)
>> >> > but
>> >> > when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I
>> >> > spoke
>> >> > with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active
>> >> > from
>> >> > when
>> >> > the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting
>> >> > a
>> >> > regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone
>> >> > technician
>> >> > who
>> >> > will charge a fee to do this.
>> >> >
>> >> > Can anyone here help with this problem?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> .
>> >>
>>
>> .
>>

Is there a way to identify if it is an OEM version?

"DL" wrote:

> If office was supplied with the PC then its an oem version which is
> supported by the PC maker and not MS
> There is thus no point in calling MS as they wont help with an oem version
>
> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message news:A710C6A4-AE0D-4F7C-9AF4-D22DB31A89F8@microsoft.com...
> > No trial version that I am aware of.
> >
> > This is an older computer, so say for instance it came from the
> > manufacturer
> > with Office already installed on it. Is there any way to get the original
> > programs (i.e. Office) back on there, without using the disc.
> >
> > The only reason I say this is that I am starting to think that maybe this
> > disc did not actually come with this computer.
> >
> > "DL" wrote:
> >
> >> From my recollection Office 2003 has the key afixed to an orange sticker
> >> on
> >> the cd case
> >> A key is not active so if Office had been removed incorrectly
> >> reinstalling
> >> and entering the key would have had no impact, its only Activation that
> >> may
> >> have baulked
> >> Is any other version of Office installed on this PC, eg a Trial?
> >>
> >> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> message news:A15E11D5-76C8-4F45-8FC3-047FA59227D5@microsoft.com...
> >> > The key is on the back of the cardboard sleeve the disc came in. The
> >> > Microsoft rep on the phone said to either go to support.microsoft.com
> >> > or
> >> > try
> >> > paying the fee via the telephone?
> >> >
> >> > So there is no way I will get help here?
> >> >
> >> > "DL" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> And where are you finding the Key?
> >> >> You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only if
> >> >> its
> >> >> a
> >> >> retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase
> >> >>
> >> >> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> >> message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT
> >> >> >person.
> >> >> > However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel and
> >> >> > Word)
> >> >> > but
> >> >> > when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid. I
> >> >> > spoke
> >> >> > with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still active
> >> >> > from
> >> >> > when
> >> >> > the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for getting
> >> >> > a
> >> >> > regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone
> >> >> > technician
> >> >> > who
> >> >> > will charge a fee to do this.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Can anyone here help with this problem?
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >> .
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> .
> >>
>
>
> .
>

In Word the about will give details

"officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:E0B73DA1-6462-4780-9822-03A2CE72D21E@microsoft.com...
> Is there a way to identify if it is an OEM version?
>
> "DL" wrote:
>
>> If office was supplied with the PC then its an oem version which is
>> supported by the PC maker and not MS
>> There is thus no point in calling MS as they wont help with an oem
>> version
>>
>> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message news:A710C6A4-AE0D-4F7C-9AF4-D22DB31A89F8@microsoft.com...
>> > No trial version that I am aware of.
>> >
>> > This is an older computer, so say for instance it came from the
>> > manufacturer
>> > with Office already installed on it. Is there any way to get the
>> > original
>> > programs (i.e. Office) back on there, without using the disc.
>> >
>> > The only reason I say this is that I am starting to think that maybe
>> > this
>> > disc did not actually come with this computer.
>> >
>> > "DL" wrote:
>> >
>> >> From my recollection Office 2003 has the key afixed to an orange
>> >> sticker
>> >> on
>> >> the cd case
>> >> A key is not active so if Office had been removed incorrectly
>> >> reinstalling
>> >> and entering the key would have had no impact, its only Activation
>> >> that
>> >> may
>> >> have baulked
>> >> Is any other version of Office installed on this PC, eg a Trial?
>> >>
>> >> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> message news:A15E11D5-76C8-4F45-8FC3-047FA59227D5@microsoft.com...
>> >> > The key is on the back of the cardboard sleeve the disc came in. The
>> >> > Microsoft rep on the phone said to either go to
>> >> > support.microsoft.com
>> >> > or
>> >> > try
>> >> > paying the fee via the telephone?
>> >> >
>> >> > So there is no way I will get help here?
>> >> >
>> >> > "DL" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> And where are you finding the Key?
>> >> >> You wont get a key here, only MS can give you a key, and then only
>> >> >> if
>> >> >> its
>> >> >> a
>> >> >> retail version of Office and you have proof of purchase
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "officeworker123" <officeworker123@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
>> >> >> in
>> >> >> message news:59B5FE8E-795C-4161-96CA-E1B8B2F87FDD@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >A computer at my workplace has had the hard drive cleaned by an IT
>> >> >> >person.
>> >> >> > However, now we do not have our Microsoft Office on there.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > We have used the disc to reinstall the programs (we need Excel
>> >> >> > and
>> >> >> > Word)
>> >> >> > but
>> >> >> > when attempting to reinstall, it says the product key is invalid.
>> >> >> > I
>> >> >> > spoke
>> >> >> > with a Microsoft rep who said that the key is probably still
>> >> >> > active
>> >> >> > from
>> >> >> > when
>> >> >> > the computer was first setup. The suggested posting here for
>> >> >> > getting
>> >> >> > a
>> >> >> > regenerate key, otherwise we need to speak with a telephone
>> >> >> > technician
>> >> >> > who
>> >> >> > will charge a fee to do this.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Can anyone here help with this problem?
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >> .
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> .
>> >>
>>
>>
>> .
>>