Reactivating Office (2003 and 2007)

**IrishLefty** · 2007-12-29 05:34

I'm getting a new computer soon and I want to transition my software over to it. Any idea what may be involved regarding reactivating my copies of Office 2003 and 2007 on my new computer? I searched for about an hour on the Microsoft web site and found nothing helpful. I presume that some other software that I also have on my "old" computer will have to be reactivated too. Has anyone here gone through this process lately?

Thanks

**StuartR** · 2007-12-29 12:34

The first thing we need to know is what sort of license you have for your existing software.

If you bought the Microsoft Office software yourself then you can probably install it on the new PC, If it came with a computer then it may well be an OEM license which cannot be transferred.

StuartR

**IrishLefty** · 2007-12-29 16:52

Both suites were purchased over the counter. You cannot merely install the software on another computer because Microsoft assumes that it's one copy on two computers even though the software is removed from the older computer. The activation process will not accept the new installation unless something "special" is done. It's that "special" thing that I don't know about.

**HansV** · 2007-12-29 16:57

I'd call Microsoft on the phone. From what I've heard, they are pretty reasonable in situations like this.

**IrishLefty** · 2007-12-29 17:01

That may be the way I have to wind up doing it, but Microsoft has no phone numbers for this process. The closest that I could find is a technical service line which involves laying out $49 before you can even talk to anyone. Surely there is another way.

**HansV** · 2007-12-29 17:19

Hopefully someone in the USA will have a suggestion for you - I'm in Europe and I don't know how Microsoft support works in the USA.

**Rebel** · 2007-12-29 19:23

"Microsoft has no phone numbers for this process"

When the on line activation fails (if I remember correctly), the process will give you a toll free number to call. This is also an "automated" process, but eventually you will end up with an actual human being on the other end. Simply explain what you are doing and they will give you an activation code.

If the failed activation does not give you a list of phone numbers, the (slim) documentation that came with Office should have a number.

**IrishLefty** · 2007-12-29 20:35

"When the on line activation fails"

That's the part that really ticks me off. Why should it have to fail? Why isn't there a way to set this up in advance? Also, there are no phone numbers in the "documentation" that came with Office 2007. Anyway, I find it hard to believe that no one else has ever gone through this and would know what to do. Does Microsoft actually believe that people don't upgrade their computers? This whole situation is just plain stupid.

**unkamunka** · 2007-12-29 21:05

>"When the on line activation fails" That's the part that really ticks me off. Why should it have to fail?

From what you've said, it's not crystal clear as to whether or not the Office editions you've bought are Upgrades or "full packages". Also, in the case of the 2003, the time you did activate it may already be many years gone by. If (at least) the 2003 version is a "full package", you may well have no difficulty with online activation. (If the 2007 has only recently been activated, that may be another matter.)

What are the other pieces of software that you will be having to reinstall? Presumably you still have the registration codes that you were given during the years that you installed them? For some products, simply entering in the registration code on reinstall is all that is required.

HTH

**IrishLefty** · 2007-12-29 21:42

The software products in question are "upgrades" since I have been using Microsoft products for about 20 years now. That should not matter at all. Upgrades are equally "activatable" as are "full" packages per Microsoft's advertising. This activation process is relatively new in the scheme of things. Not that it matters but, I have three versions of Microsoft Office actively operating on two computers. One version, the Office and Student 2007 has three licenses so it's not a current problem, but should I move on to other computers, it will be. My Office 2003 is used for different things than my Office 2007 Professional and both are on my main computer. The codes that you are referring to are only good when you re-install the software on the same computer, not move it to a new computer. Moving the software requires reactivation. The problem is that once the product has been activated on one computer you cannot activate it again on a new computer without some form of Microsoft intervention. It's that intervention that I would like to be able to do in advance.

**IrishLefty** · 2007-12-29 22:23

I sent off an e-mail to the Microsoft Corporate Office describing this problem. The response that came back was almost incoherent. I did, however, garner out of their mostly "canned" response a link that refers to another link which states that in the event of a significent hardware change (new computer?) the software requires that you reactivate it. At that point you should be able to find a phone number that eventually gets to a human who may solve the problem. That number is not available until you go through this process. Boy, is this ever so user friendly!

**HansV** · 2007-12-29 22:35

That's what Rebel also suggested higher up in this thread. You (and I) may not like it, but there's little we can do about it...

**Rebel** · 2007-12-29 22:47

Actually, Office (retail version) can be activated on 2 computers (one primary device and one secondary portable device - as per the EULA).

I stated that "when the on line activation fails"........... Perhaps a poor choice of words. If you are activating on a second computer, it should not fail. Third or subsequent on line activations will fail.

You state that "The codes that you are referring to are only good when you re-install the software on the same computer, not move it to a new computer". If and when you install Office to a second (portable) computer, the same product key is used.

When you install Office and it is time to activate, you have two options - over the internet or by phone. This article explains the process for both. If you have a failed activation (or suspect that you might), you can choose to activate by telephone. Using this option, you select the country and you will be presented with one or more telephone numbers. I don't see anything too sinister or unfriendly about this, but that's my opinion.

"The problem is that once the product has been activated on one computer you cannot activate it again on a new computer without some form of Microsoft intervention. It's that intervention that I would like to be able to do in advance." This one has me confused. At some point in time you will have to speak to a Microsoft representative. I don't understand why doing this "in advance" would make the process any more palatable for you? <img src=/S/shrug.gif border=0 alt=shrug width=39 height=15>

**IrishLefty** · 2007-12-29 22:48

You're right Hans - there's little that we can do about it. I'm just a bit upset and angry that I have to go through all this. When I do go through the process of reactivating, I'll come back here and post the phone number.

**IrishLefty** · 2007-12-29 22:55

Thank you Rebel. I could not find that link even though I tried for about an hour. Microsoft tries very hard to not make it easy for you. I don't know about the two computer installation thing, but my copies say licensed for 1 computer. That's besides the point as I do not have a portable computer. According to your link, it won't do any good to post the phone number so I won't. Thanks again.

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