XP Service Pak 3 / Excel

[Guest]

Microsoft has sent me notices to update to Service Pak 3. I can't because I
don't have the Microsoft Office XP Professional with FrontPage. I've
downloaded and tried to install twice the fullfile version and it still ask
for the CD. A friend initially loaded the computer for me and I'm longer in
touch. In any case, now when I try to open any Excel file it's requesting the
same CD. No Excel files can be opened. Any suggestions?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

In attempting to do you a favour, your friend may have installed Excel
without a license.
If that is the case you may have to buy Excel or do without.
If you do not have the CD, original Product Key or COA, you most certainly
have an unlicensed version.

Here are some options:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/howtobuy/default.mspx
Thank your friend for this option.

Or if you only need to read and not create or modify, get the free viewer:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...F4-996C-4569-B547-75EDBD03AAF0&displaylang=en

Other free viewers are also available:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/results.aspx?Scope=DC&Query=viewer

 

[Guest]

It sounds like I should just buy my own version of XP home edition. That
includes Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.? If I install it over what I
have now, will my existing files still be there? And should I buy it with
service pak 2? I've heard so many horror stories. I can operate the programs
but when it comes to this stuff I'm ignorant!

What a friend! Never again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Windows does not come with Excel or other Office components, no version of
Windows ever has.
You need Excel or one of the Office Suites on the link I gave.

If you also have an unlicensed version of Windows, that is another issue.
See if this applies:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/invalpk.htm
If you use a Repair Installation option, your data and settings are safe.
Back-up important data just in case.
If that does not apply post back with details if you need more information.

 

[Guest]

Okay so I propbably just need to buy a full version of XP w/service pack 2.
Once loaded will my existing files still be there?

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

If Windows XP Pro is currently installed, you need Pro if you want to
install data and preserve data.
Then perform a Repair Installation:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm

If you have Home installed, you do the same procedure as was stated for Pro
except use the new Home CD and key.

If you currently have Pro and want to save $ and go with Home, use FAST to
save data and settings:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm
You would still need to install your programs but you can save $ going with
Home instead of Pro.

 

[Guest]

If Windows XP Pro is currently installed, you need Pro if you want to
install data and preserve data.
Then perform a Repair Installation:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm

If you have Home installed, you do the same procedure as was stated for
Pro except use the new Home CD and key.

If you currently have Pro and want to save $ and go with Home, use FAST to
save data and settings:
http://aumha.org/win5/a/fast.htm
You would still need to install your programs but you can save $ going
with Home instead of Pro.

But if you dont have MS Office, then it doesnt matter what operating system
you have, you cant open excel files without an excel file viewer or office.

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

To clarify, your Excel issue is not likely related to whether or not you
have Service Pak 2, there is no Service Pak 3. There are a couple of
possibilities here. One, you don't have Excel installed on your system or
two the installation you have is broken which might be fixed doing a repair
install of Excel or MS-Office or reinstall of one or the other. Both can be
done by inserting whichever disk you have, either Office of Excel, the setup
screen should then offer the opportunity to repair or reinstall. It's also
possible your friend never installed Excel in which case, Excel would have
to be installed from your Excel or MS-Office CD. One other possibility is
that your friend installed the application to run from the CD. Again, you
would need to reinstall and select run from hard drive which would put the
full installation on your hard drive and should stop the message to insert
the CD each time you want to open an Excel File.

These are applications and are separate and distinct from Windows XP which
is an operating system, regardless of whether you have XP Pro or XP Home
Edition.

If you only need to view your Excel files, there is a free file viewer
available:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/000/viewers.asp

 

[Simpler]

I had download service pak 3 and my system crashed. After getting it
reformatted and speaking with a DELL tec in support he says they dont
reconmend down loading the service pak 3. Has any one else had problems or
was this just a flook. Its my parents desk top and I dont get home often
enough to help with the problems the seem to encounter. I did get them off
dial up to DSL which should help keep them updated but am concern whether to
put service pak 3 on again, ant help?