Had to reformat & reinstall operating system (wndows XP). Lost MS

[SuziQ]

Something happened to my system and I was forced to reinstall the operating
system. I could not do a system restore, as those options, and others, were
removed from my computer. My system came preinstalled with Word, Excel, etc.
I contacted my computer manufacturer multiple times. Their response is
always the same, "Your system is out of warranty. Your system was
preinstalled with programs to try for 60 days". That is untrue, and I have
my MS Word product code to prove it. How to I get this software? Right now,
WordPad is the only thing I have. Thank You!

 

[SC Tom]

Something happened to my system and I was forced to reinstall the
operating
system. I could not do a system restore, as those options, and others,
were
removed from my computer. My system came preinstalled with Word, Excel,
etc.
I contacted my computer manufacturer multiple times. Their response is
always the same, "Your system is out of warranty. Your system was
preinstalled with programs to try for 60 days". That is untrue, and I
have
my MS Word product code to prove it. How to I get this software? Right
now,
WordPad is the only thing I have. Thank You!

If you still have your itemized receipt, then you should contact them again
and ask to speak to a supervisor. Odds are you are going to have to purchase
the recovery disks from them if you didn't make a set when you first got the
PC. If it had a full-blown version of Office on it, you should have the CD's
for it. If you bought it from another party, then you should contact them
for the disks. For example, if you bought a Dell computer from Best Buy and
they (Best Buy) were offering a non-expiring version of Office to get you to
buy from them, then you would have to contact BB and hope for the best (no
pun intended). Dell would not be responsible for any offers that retailers
promised/provided.

SC Tom

 

[DL]

If your PC is out of warranty they have no futher legal obligation to you.
If you purchased Office from a third party you would need to produce both
the product key & purchase receipt to obtain a replacement.

 

[db]

well, if your system came preinstalled
with software,

then you likely have a factory restore
feature whereas a portion of your
hard drive has been reserved for
storing the setup files for windows
and perhaps your office.

the trial version may be included
in the factory restore.

did you check your manual and or
the computers homesite to find out
how to restore your windows?

incidentally, does your office product
key contain the letters oem?

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[SuziQ]

DB,

When my system became corrupt, I did not have internet access, and all
restore options were inaccessible--nothing relating to the internet or
restoration appeared anywhere, I even tried DOS.

What is this "factory restore". How (or) can I access it?

My code does not contain "OEM". My system is a Gateway. It came with three
disks: two system operation restoration disks, and one device driver disk.

Thank you ~

 

[SuziQ]

SC Tom,

I did have the full version of Office, but the only disks that came with my
computer were two operating system restoration disks and one with device
drivers. Each time a service pack upgrade came out, it would ask for the
Windows disks, which I didn't have. I kept contacting Gateway, but the
wouldn't respond.

Thank you ~

 

[Daave]

Where did you purchase the full version of Office from?

When you purchased your Gateway PC, it likely came pre-installed with a
trial for Microsoft Office. Or maybe you also purchase a full version of
Office. Since you're the one with the receipt for this purchase, you're
the only one who knows what you bought!

Is it possible you purchased a license from Microsoft to convert your
trail version into a full version? Or did you purchase the whole package
(including the CDs)? Where exactly did you get this "product code" for
Office?

Remember, the more complete the information you provide us is, the
better we will be able to understand you and offer guidance!

Also, when you reformatted your hard drive and reinstalled XP, which
method did you use? XP Installation CD, Gateway PC restore or recovery
CD, or hidden recovery partition?

 

[db]

ok,

then those restorations disks enable
you to restore your system back to
its orginal state as it left the factory.

factory restore is the process of
restoring the machine back to its
original state.

so the office trial would have been
included "if" it was part of the package.

here is a link that may provide
some help:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326246





--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- @Hotmail.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[smlunatick]

SC Tom,

I did have the full version of Office, but the only disks that came with my
computer were two operating system restoration disks and one with device
drivers.  Each time a service pack upgrade came out, it would ask for the
Windows disks, which I didn't have.  I kept contacting Gateway, but the
wouldn't respond.

Thank you ~

Was this Office "system" the Office 2007 trial? Somehow, there was an
trial version that hen you "applied" a valid system key, it became the
full package.

 

[SuziQ]

Dave,

Office came preinstalled on my computer. The product code was already on
the outside of the tower.

When I restored the operating system, I used the Gateway disks that came
with my system, which were from 2002, when I bought my computer. After the
installation, I downloaded upgrades, services packs and critical upgrades
from the MS site. I couldn't use Gateway's restore, because whatever
happened to my system removed anything related to Gateway, my internet, and
the restore option out of my "System Accessories," so I had no choice. The
one error I kept getting prior to reinstalling the operating system was "RCP
Server Unavailable".

Thanks for your help!

Sue

 

[Daave]

Replies inline.

Dave,

Office came preinstalled on my computer.

Did you get the trial version preinstalled on your PC (which I imagine
is the usual situation)? Or did you purchase Office from the beginning
and did Gateway (or someone else) install it so that when you first
received it, it was pre-installed? Again, since you're the one with the
receipt for this purchase, you're the only one who knows what you
bought!

The product code was already on the outside of the tower.

What you are describing (I am pretty sure) is the Certificate of
Authenticity sticker which contains the name of your *operating system*
(Windows XP); it contains your Product Key. This key is for Windows XP,
not for Office! If there is some other "product code," please describe
it in detail.

When I restored the operating system, I used the Gateway disks that
came with my system, which were from 2002, when I bought my computer.
After the installation, I downloaded upgrades, services packs and
critical upgrades from the MS site. I couldn't use Gateway's
restore, because whatever happened to my system removed anything
related to Gateway, my internet, and the restore option out of my
"System Accessories," so I had no choice. The one error I kept
getting prior to reinstalling the operating system was "RCP Server
Unavailable".

Again, was one of these disks an actual Windows XP installation CD (even
if might have a Gateway branding on it)? Or was it a Gateway restore or
recovery CD? Please give a detailed answer!

What is the model and model number? Frequently, manufacturers provide a
hidden recovery partition which is accessed in a special way (not what
you described), and for all you know, is *still there*. If we know the
precise model, we might be able to help you at least get your trial
back.

So far, you haven't provided confirmation that you have a full version
of Office. If you do, please give us details! For isntance, a line item
on a receipt or a transaction online, etc.

 

[smlunatick]

Dave,

Office came preinstalled on my computer.  The product code was already on
the outside of the tower.  

When I restored the operating system, I used the Gateway disks that came
with my system, which were from 2002, when I bought my computer.  Afterthe
installation, I downloaded upgrades, services packs and critical upgrades
from the MS site.  I couldn't use Gateway's restore, because whatever
happened to my system removed anything related to Gateway, my internet, and
the restore option out of my "System Accessories," so I had no choice.  The
one error I kept getting prior to reinstalling the operating system was "RCP
Server Unavailable".

Thanks for your help!

Sue

If you had Microsoft Office 2007 trial version, Microsoft seemed to
have a method of converting the trial version just by entering a
special key. It then converted the trial version to the full version.