MS Office 2003 and Publisher 2003 Re-Activation

[duane123]

I am going to trash an old Dell PC (~733Mhz) and use a much faster (ASUS MoBo) PC on a daily basis. I have a retail version of Office 2003 and Publisher 2003 installed on the old Dell PC - after I take the original CDs and install on the ASUS, it will ask me to activate it. From experience it will inform me this CD set is already installed on another PC. Is there a way I can get the "key" out of the old Dell PC somewhere and use it for the install on the newer ASUS PC? Or am I forced to make a call to the mother ship, get down on my knees and beg for a new activation "code key"? I had to do this once when re-installing Win XP home a new bigger "C" hard drive, with all other components remaining unchaged. I have been told that MS has an algorithm that looks to see if key PC components have changed. I am not into piracy and these are "paid for" CD sets that I own. I want to throw away the old Dell where the SW is now installed and re-install on a better platform. Can't this be done?

 

[linney]

Questions and answers about the End-User License Agreement" is a searchable article in the Help and Support Center program. I quote from some of the questions.

"What if I've upgraded from an earlier version of Microsoft Windows software? Do I still need to keep my earlier copy of Microsoft Windows software as part of my legally licensed software?

Yes. Due to the fact the original full version software and the upgrade version software together constitute a single software program, you will need to retain your copy of the prior version of the software program (including all media, manuals and the Certificate of Authenticity) in order to establish your eligibility for the upgrade license.




What if I don't upgrade my Microsoft Windows software, but instead acquire a completely new version? Do I still have to keep my old version?

No. However, in this case you are still legally licensed to run the original version of the software, and it may be eligible for upgrading. Depending on the license type, you may be entitled to transfer the original version to another computer system. Please review the End-User License Agreement for complete information."


You could also read the Eula.txt from the System32 folder, search for the word "transfer".

You might find Microsoft quite receptive to your idea, but you may hit a brick wall if you are referring to an OEM and not Retail version of XP.

 

[duane123]

It was NOT an upgrade or OEM, is was original retail boxes. Two questions:

1)I read the EULA and it states there is a "confirmation number" is sent back when acitivation occurs. Does anyone know if the "confirmation number" = "product ID" as displayed on the Help/About screen within the MS application?

2)The EULA says the SW product can be transferred with the sale or transfer of the hardware only. So I guess when one splits apart a PC into its components that would mean some part of the original PC parts have to go with it. Correct?

 

[linney]

Frequently Asked Questions about Microsoft Product Activation

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302878&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH#appliesto

 

[jferrante]

My personal experience (Nothing to do with the EULA) has shown that after a year, the software will activate again just fine. If it doesn't, the phone call activation is pretty painless anyway. The phone reps will give you a new key if necessary.

You own a legitimate copy. They are not out to make your life miserable. Microsoft is actually very lenient when it comes to product activations regardless of what the EULA says, as long as you are legitimate.