I have a problem with a laptop that was returned for repair to the
manufacturer twice and the motherboard was replaced both times during the
repair (since the network port is on the board, the mac address changed both
times too).

Both Windows XP & Office XP responded to this by asking for re-activation.
Windows XP activated successfully, however Office XP is now locked into
reduced functionality mode.

When I open Office, it brings up a box saying it "has detected a significant
change in your machine".... "please insert your Office Professional CD, and
then click the Next button".

I put the Original Install CD in. When I then click "next" a new box comes
over the top saying "Preparing to install", then that box and the original
one (underneath) disappear, and the program isn't activated.

I have tried using the disk to re-install office over the top of the
existing install, but it fails. I also tried using add/remove programs, which
also fails to remove the existing install.

So I am left with a copy of Office that is only in reduced functionality
mode, (which is practically useless), and I can activate it, uninstall it or
upgrade it.

I phoned Microsoft support line, but they couldn't help as Office XP is "end
of life". They did however check my Product key and did confirm that there
was no problem with the key itself, it was still valid.

It is a Student & Teacher copy of Office XP if that makes any difference.

Can anyone give some help on this?

Thanks

Mike

TYPO CORRECTION: Can -> Can't

So I am left with a copy of Office that is only in reduced functionality
mode, (which is practically useless), and I CAN'T activate it, uninstall it
or
upgrade it.

"xpcomputers" wrote:

> I have a problem with a laptop that was returned for repair to the
> manufacturer twice and the motherboard was replaced both times during the
> repair (since the network port is on the board, the mac address changed both
> times too).
>
> Both Windows XP & Office XP responded to this by asking for re-activation.
> Windows XP activated successfully, however Office XP is now locked into
> reduced functionality mode.
>
> When I open Office, it brings up a box saying it "has detected a significant
> change in your machine".... "please insert your Office Professional CD, and
> then click the Next button".
>
> I put the Original Install CD in. When I then click "next" a new box comes
> over the top saying "Preparing to install", then that box and the original
> one (underneath) disappear, and the program isn't activated.
>
> I have tried using the disk to re-install office over the top of the
> existing install, but it fails. I also tried using add/remove programs, which
> also fails to remove the existing install.
>
> So I am left with a copy of Office that is only in reduced functionality
> mode, (which is practically useless), and I can activate it, uninstall it or
> upgrade it.
>
> I phoned Microsoft support line, but they couldn't help as Office XP is "end
> of life". They did however check my Product key and did confirm that there
> was no problem with the key itself, it was still valid.
>
> It is a Student & Teacher copy of Office XP if that makes any difference.
>
> Can anyone give some help on this?
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike

Hi Mike,

If I understood correctly, your issue is: after the hardware has been
dramatically changed, you cannot activate, repair, or remove it.

Is that true?

Based on my experience, it is possible that this issue is caused by the new
hardware. If finally we found the hardware is the root cause, you may need
to contact the manufactory for more help.

Currently, you can try a clean remove of Office XP. This method is based on
a tool called Windows Cleanup Utility. As you cannot remove it from
Add/Remove Program, the following steps may allow you to totally uninstall
Office XP and re-install. Please follow the steps below:

Note: determined by your computer status, some of the items below may or
may not exist. If you cannot find them, please skip it and go on to do the
others.

* Clean remove of Office XP
===========

1. Quit all running programs.
2. Download and install the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility.

<http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...B8-80E8-983A48
D5E1BD/msicuu2.exe>
3. After you have installed the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility, click
Start>All Programs>Windows Install Clean Up.
4. Highlight Microsoft Office XP entry in the list and then click Remove.
Click OK and wait for the process to end. If any other stand alone Office
applications (such as Visio and Project) appear on the list, please also
remove them. Then, click Exit to close the Windows Installer Cleanup
utility.
5. Click Start>Run, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks) in the
Open box and press Enter.
6. Locate the registry keys below and click Delete from the Edit menu.
Click OK on the following warning dialog box.
Note: Please go to File>Export and backup all the registry first.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office
Quit Registry Editor.
7. Delete or rename the following folders or files if they exist:
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE10
C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel
C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application Data\Microsoft\Office
C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application
Data\Microsoft\Outlook
C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application
Data\Microsoft\Publisher
C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application
Data\Microsoft\Templates\Normal.dot
C:\Documents and Settings\<UserName>\Application Data\Microsoft\Word
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Office
C:\Program Files\OfficeUpdate10
8. Click Start>Run, type "%Temp%" (without the quotation marks) in the
Open box and press Enter. Delete all the files and folders within it. If
there are some files which cannot be deleted, just leave them alone and
this will not affect the result.
9. Empty the Recycle Bin.
10. To remove MAPI, search for and rename the following folders/files if
they exist:
C:\Windows\system32\mapi32.dll
C:\Windows\system32\mapisvc.inf
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Msmapi
C:\Program Files\Common Files\System\Mapi
11. Restart your computer and install Office XP again.

If this does not work, please help us collect the following information for
further research:

* Information Collection
=================

1. Does this occur on any other user accounts on this laptop? Please also
create a new one with admin rights to test.
2. Please provide all error messages you mentioned above with any
screenshots and send it to me.
** To take a screenshot
---------------------
1. When this error message appears, press PrScrn key on your keyboard.
2. Type "mspaint" (without the quotation marks) in Start>Run box and click
OK.
3. Click Edit>Paste to paste the screenshot.
4. Save it as JPEG file type and send it as Email attachment.
---------------------

You can send them directly to this newsgroup or you can send it to me at
<v-lehao@microsoft.com>

Have a nice weekend!


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
================================================== ==
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
================================================== ==
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

(cross-posted from: microsoft.public.office.misc)

Thanks for your help on this matter.
See in-line replies to your reply.

"Leon Hao [MSFT]" wrote:

> Hi Mike,
>
> If I understood correctly, your issue is: after the hardware has been
> dramatically changed, you cannot activate, repair, or remove it [Office XP].
>
> Is that true?

Yes it is.


>
> Based on my experience, it is possible that this issue is caused by the new
> hardware. If finally we found the hardware is the root cause, you may need
> to contact the manufactory for more help.
>


I don't believe it is caused by the new hardware as such, as the "new"
hardware each time was an identical motherboard to the original (albeit with
a different MAC address each time). I think it is therefore more of a
software glitch in Windows or the installation of Office itself.

I can think of two causes. It could either be a problem with my Office XP
Pro CD, but I doubt this, as I can read it successfully, and have tested
copying the full CD onto my hard-disk without any read errors. The other,
more likely cause is some sort of corruption in the registry or Office
folders to values that the "re-install/re-activation" routine needs. I
checked for the "source" location for the Office install in the registry and
it correctly displays the "X:\" (which is my CD drive).


> Currently, you can try a clean remove of Office XP. This method is based on
> a tool called Windows Cleanup Utility. As you cannot remove it from
> Add/Remove Program, the following steps may allow you to totally uninstall
> Office XP and re-install. Please follow the steps below:
>
> Note: determined by your computer status, some of the items below may or
> may not exist. If you cannot find them, please skip it and go on to do the
> others.
>
> * Clean remove of Office XP
> ===========
<snip>

I am worried about just "pulling the rug out from underneath" my Office
Install, particularly as I am unsure how my Windows Mobile 5 device will
respond to the removal of Outlook. Due to the laptop being in repair for a
month, and now Office being "out of order" since it was returned, I have been
unable to perform a sync with my phone for over 6 weeks now, so there are
MANY changes on the phone not backed up on the Laptop.

I might be being overly worried about this, but I am not in a hurry to do a
forceable remove of Office without knowing what the consequences might be. As
I said I haven't even tried doing a sync since I was concerned that Outlook
might mess things up since it is in reduced functionality mode currently - eg
not do a correct sync.

So I guess I now have a few new Questions:

How will my phone and Outlook respond to running a sync when Outlook is in
reduced functionality mode?

How will my phone respond to having Outlook deleted and re-installed? Am I
likely to end up with countless duplicate entries, or with potential data
loss? How will this be impacted if I am unable to sync the phone with Outlook
first, and so there is already a disparity of data across the two devices?


> You can send them directly to this newsgroup or you can send it to me at
> <v-lehao@microsoft.com>
>
> Have a nice weekend!
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Leon Hao
>
> Microsoft Online Partner Support
> Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
> ================================================== ==
> When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
> that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
> ================================================== ==
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
>

Thanks for you great post so far, however as you see I need some more
information before I am ready to follow your instructions (even though they
are helpful)!

I hope someone can help with these extra questions.
I've cross-posted this across to: microsoft.public.pocketpc.activesync
The original question and reply was posted in: microsoft.public.office.misc

Thanks

Mike

Your OL data is contained within the *.pst file I assume you have backups.
Usually when Office is in reduced functionality mode it means you cannot
save new data
Deleting an Office App or Office does not impact on data - but a data backup
is allways wise, though you should have these anyway

"xpcomputers" <xpcomputers@nospam.nospam> wrote in message
news:BB5DC9FB-A13B-46D9-B79F-3C8EAE9A905E@microsoft.com...
> (cross-posted from: microsoft.public.office.misc)
>
> Thanks for your help on this matter.
> See in-line replies to your reply.
>
> "Leon Hao [MSFT]" wrote:
>
> > Hi Mike,
> >
> > If I understood correctly, your issue is: after the hardware has been
> > dramatically changed, you cannot activate, repair, or remove it [Office
XP].
> >
> > Is that true?
>
> Yes it is.
>
>
> >
> > Based on my experience, it is possible that this issue is caused by the
new
> > hardware. If finally we found the hardware is the root cause, you may
need
> > to contact the manufactory for more help.
> >
>
>
> I don't believe it is caused by the new hardware as such, as the "new"
> hardware each time was an identical motherboard to the original (albeit
with
> a different MAC address each time). I think it is therefore more of a
> software glitch in Windows or the installation of Office itself.
>
> I can think of two causes. It could either be a problem with my Office XP
> Pro CD, but I doubt this, as I can read it successfully, and have tested
> copying the full CD onto my hard-disk without any read errors. The other,
> more likely cause is some sort of corruption in the registry or Office
> folders to values that the "re-install/re-activation" routine needs. I
> checked for the "source" location for the Office install in the registry
and
> it correctly displays the "X:\" (which is my CD drive).
>
>
> > Currently, you can try a clean remove of Office XP. This method is based
on
> > a tool called Windows Cleanup Utility. As you cannot remove it from
> > Add/Remove Program, the following steps may allow you to totally
uninstall
> > Office XP and re-install. Please follow the steps below:
> >
> > Note: determined by your computer status, some of the items below may or
> > may not exist. If you cannot find them, please skip it and go on to do
the
> > others.
> >
> > * Clean remove of Office XP
> > ===========
> <snip>
>
> I am worried about just "pulling the rug out from underneath" my Office
> Install, particularly as I am unsure how my Windows Mobile 5 device will
> respond to the removal of Outlook. Due to the laptop being in repair for a
> month, and now Office being "out of order" since it was returned, I have
been
> unable to perform a sync with my phone for over 6 weeks now, so there are
> MANY changes on the phone not backed up on the Laptop.
>
> I might be being overly worried about this, but I am not in a hurry to do
a
> forceable remove of Office without knowing what the consequences might be.
As
> I said I haven't even tried doing a sync since I was concerned that
Outlook
> might mess things up since it is in reduced functionality mode currently -
eg
> not do a correct sync.
>
> So I guess I now have a few new Questions:
>
> How will my phone and Outlook respond to running a sync when Outlook is in
> reduced functionality mode?
>
> How will my phone respond to having Outlook deleted and re-installed? Am I
> likely to end up with countless duplicate entries, or with potential data
> loss? How will this be impacted if I am unable to sync the phone with
Outlook
> first, and so there is already a disparity of data across the two devices?
>
>
> > You can send them directly to this newsgroup or you can send it to me at
> > <v-lehao@microsoft.com>
> >
> > Have a nice weekend!
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> >
> > Leon Hao
> >
> > Microsoft Online Partner Support
> > Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
> > ================================================== ==
> > When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
> > that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
> > ================================================== ==
> > This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no
rights.
> >
> >
>
> Thanks for you great post so far, however as you see I need some more
> information before I am ready to follow your instructions (even though
they
> are helpful)!
>
> I hope someone can help with these extra questions.
> I've cross-posted this across to: microsoft.public.pocketpc.activesync
> The original question and reply was posted in:
microsoft.public.office.misc
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike

DL,

Thanks for you reply. I understand that my Outlook data is stored in my PST
files (I use several that open at once in Outlook). Keeping that data intact
during the uninstall is simply a matter of saving these files, as you rightly
point out.

Unfortunately my problem is more to do with what happens to Outlook data
that syncs with my Windows Mobile 5 phone/pda. Because they are not currently
in sync (laptop was in repair for 1 month (which caused this whole
re-activation fiasco), and now Office has been not working for 2 weeks), I am
not sure what will happen if I forceably uninstall Outlook. I do not know
enough about the active-sync process to know what will happen to my data in
this scenario.

I am concerned that if I reinstall Office, re-configure Outlook with my PST
files, and then try sync-ing with my phone, that this might lead to either
data loss or duplicate entries being created in the phone or in my PST files
(or maybe even both!).

If they were fully synced before I did the process then I would be able to
sync in a way to over-write one with the other, but they are not!

I either need to get Office re-activated without having to uninstall it, or
I need to resolve my issues with the sync process, so that I can safely blow
away my Office install without upsetting my phone or Outlook data. I hope
this makes sense!

So that is why have have my outstanding questions:

How will my phone and Outlook respond If I tried running a sync when Outlook
is in reduced functionality mode? (would it work, or might I lose data?)

How will my phone respond to having Outlook deleted and re-installed? (Am I
likely to end up with countless duplicate entries, or with potential data
loss? How will this be impacted if I am unable to sync the phone with Outlook
first, and so there is already a disparity of data across the two devices?)

If Outlook will sync in reduced functionality mode with no data loss, then I
could just do a sync, then delete Office. I would be then be able to install
Office afresh, add in my PST files, and then setup the phone to sync with
Outlook, and because they were already in sync, there should be no problems.

Alternatively, I will need to delete Office first, but before I do that, I
need to know how "out of sync" devices will cope when re-connected! (it might
not be a problem, but equally until I understand the process, I am not
deleting anything!)

If anyone can help with these outstanding issues, I'd be very happy!

I don't mind how we get there, but I want my copy of Office working again in
FULL mode (eg re-activated), and I want my phone happily syncing with it
again, and I don't want to have lost (or duplicated) any data on the phone or
in Outlook, in the process! I need to tick all these boxes before I start any
method, and know that I will have the desired outcome at the end!

Thanks

Mike



"DL" wrote:

> Your OL data is contained within the *.pst file I assume you have backups.
> Usually when Office is in reduced functionality mode it means you cannot
> save new data
> Deleting an Office App or Office does not impact on data - but a data backup
> is allways wise, though you should have these anyway
>
<snip>

At 07 Apr 2007 05:14:01 -0700 xpcomputers wrote:

> I don't mind how we get there, but I want my copy of Office working
again in
> FULL mode (eg re-activated), and I want my phone happily syncing with
it
> again, and I don't want to have lost (or duplicated) any data on the
phone or
> in Outlook, in the process! I need to tick all these boxes before I
start any
> method, and know that I will have the desired outcome at the end!


Is it just me or are you making this so much harder than it has to be?
Why not call MS support and re-activate Office to restore full
functionality, and get on with your life?

MS is very easy to deal with on re-activations after system
repairs/upgrades. Restore functionality to Outlook and all of your other
questions are moot.

To add to Todd's response
You presumably can backup your pda and have OL pst backups.
Then reactivate Office and sync, theres nothing else you can do

"xpcomputers" <xpcomputers@nospam.nospam> wrote in message
news:62EAC22A-FEE2-41BE-AA6B-6190FB8CC5FB@microsoft.com...
> DL,
>
> Thanks for you reply. I understand that my Outlook data is stored in my
PST
> files (I use several that open at once in Outlook). Keeping that data
intact
> during the uninstall is simply a matter of saving these files, as you
rightly
> point out.
>
> Unfortunately my problem is more to do with what happens to Outlook data
> that syncs with my Windows Mobile 5 phone/pda. Because they are not
currently
> in sync (laptop was in repair for 1 month (which caused this whole
> re-activation fiasco), and now Office has been not working for 2 weeks), I
am
> not sure what will happen if I forceably uninstall Outlook. I do not know
> enough about the active-sync process to know what will happen to my data
in
> this scenario.
>
> I am concerned that if I reinstall Office, re-configure Outlook with my
PST
> files, and then try sync-ing with my phone, that this might lead to either
> data loss or duplicate entries being created in the phone or in my PST
files
> (or maybe even both!).
>
> If they were fully synced before I did the process then I would be able to
> sync in a way to over-write one with the other, but they are not!
>
> I either need to get Office re-activated without having to uninstall it,
or
> I need to resolve my issues with the sync process, so that I can safely
blow
> away my Office install without upsetting my phone or Outlook data. I hope
> this makes sense!
>
> So that is why have have my outstanding questions:
>
> How will my phone and Outlook respond If I tried running a sync when
Outlook
> is in reduced functionality mode? (would it work, or might I lose data?)
>
> How will my phone respond to having Outlook deleted and re-installed? (Am
I
> likely to end up with countless duplicate entries, or with potential data
> loss? How will this be impacted if I am unable to sync the phone with
Outlook
> first, and so there is already a disparity of data across the two
devices?)
>
> If Outlook will sync in reduced functionality mode with no data loss, then
I
> could just do a sync, then delete Office. I would be then be able to
install
> Office afresh, add in my PST files, and then setup the phone to sync with
> Outlook, and because they were already in sync, there should be no
problems.
>
> Alternatively, I will need to delete Office first, but before I do that, I
> need to know how "out of sync" devices will cope when re-connected! (it
might
> not be a problem, but equally until I understand the process, I am not
> deleting anything!)
>
> If anyone can help with these outstanding issues, I'd be very happy!
>
> I don't mind how we get there, but I want my copy of Office working again
in
> FULL mode (eg re-activated), and I want my phone happily syncing with it
> again, and I don't want to have lost (or duplicated) any data on the phone
or
> in Outlook, in the process! I need to tick all these boxes before I start
any
> method, and know that I will have the desired outcome at the end!
>
> Thanks
>
> Mike
>
>
>
> "DL" wrote:
>
> > Your OL data is contained within the *.pst file I assume you have
backups.
> > Usually when Office is in reduced functionality mode it means you cannot
> > save new data
> > Deleting an Office App or Office does not impact on data - but a data
backup
> > is allways wise, though you should have these anyway
> >
> <snip>

Todd,

Thanks for your post.... see my in-line replies:


"Todd Allcock" wrote:

> At 07 Apr 2007 05:14:01 -0700 xpcomputers wrote:
>
> > I don't mind how we get there, but I want my copy of Office working
> again in
> > FULL mode (eg re-activated), and I want my phone happily syncing with
> it
> > again, and I don't want to have lost (or duplicated) any data on the
> phone or
> > in Outlook, in the process! I need to tick all these boxes before I
> start any
> > method, and know that I will have the desired outcome at the end!
>
>
> Is it just me or are you making this so much harder than it has to be?
> Why not call MS support and re-activate Office to restore full
> functionality, and get on with your life?

I wish I was making this more complicated than it is (and I hope still that
I am, and someone will point out the easy solution that I am missing!). And
trust me, I really do want to get one with my life now... this has been a big
waste of time.

If you read my first post, Office isn't re-activating. When I click "Next"
with the Office CD in (which is what it asks me to do to re-activate), it
just goes away without activating! I don't get far enough to be able to phone
Microsoft and activate over the phone. The activation box just disappears
after I put in the Office CD as it asks me to.

I have spoken to Microsoft Support on the phone who don't want to help
unless I spend £40 with them to get email help. (Office XP is beyond the free
help period, and the activations team don't want to know, as it isn't an
activation problem as far as they are concerned)

There is no problem with the Product Key though (they did at least check
that for me), so if I can get the software at this end to get as far as the
actual re-activation box, (even if it failed the internet one), then as you
say they would happily re-activate over the phone. The problem is that it
doesn't get that far!!!


>
> MS is very easy to deal with on re-activations after system
> repairs/upgrades. Restore functionality to Outlook and all of your other
> questions are moot.
>


Indeed. I have dealt with them on behalf of clients machines on many
occasions, and know them to be very fair when motherboards have had to be
replaced etc. Unfortunately, this problem is that it fails before even
getting to that point.

I would love to just restore Outlook, as that would make a very simple
situation for me. Because no-one seems to know a way round my problem, it
looks like I have to tackle the longer more complicated route....

As I said it won't even do a simple uninstall or re-install over the top. So
the only way to proceed appears to be a forceable uninstall. Unless someone
has a great plan to help me re-activate Office another way, (which as you
rightly say would solve all my problems in one go!), then I will need to be
happy with the syncing my phone with Outlook and get that whole side of
things sorted before I remove Outlook.

What I need is a step-by-step guide to not losing or duplicating data on my
phone, but getting them up to date (whilst Office is in reduced mode), so
that I can then use the instructions kindly given to me above, to remove
Office so that I can re-install it again.

So if someone thinks I'm making this into a big issue out of nothing, then
please gentle show me where I am going wrong with guide how to fix it, and
I'll be very happy. I am probably making a big issue out of the activesync
part, but that is an area I have no expertise in, and I and therefore
suitably cautious. I want to ask the questions BEFORE I mess it all up! I am
probably erring on the side of caution there, but I need to, as I can't
afford to lose 6 weeks worth of phone data.

I was hoping that people in the pocketpc.activesync newsgroup might be able
to chip in with some advice on this issue for me. No reply yet, so I might
have to try a Windows Mobile forum to get the last piece of the puzzle so
that I have the full process sorted before I jump.

I really do appreciate all the help. Just need the missing pieces now.

Thanks

Mike

"DL" wrote:

> To add to Todd's response
> You presumably can backup your pda and have OL pst backups.
> Then reactivate Office and sync, theres nothing else you can do
>

I think you are right. However, they removed the Phone backup utility from
Active Sync 4 (and above), so I am unable to backup the phone by that method,
and therefore rely solely on the sync process for backing up my phone.

I have spoken to a friend who has a Windows Mobile device, and he reckons
that the activesync process is quite forgiving, and probably wouldn't give
too much duplicate data, if at all. But equally he wasn't totally sure.

I think I just need to get that info from someone who knows ActiveSync
better. I will try a direct post asking the activesync part of the puzzle in
xda-developers.com forums, where they deal with ActiveSYnc issues daily. I'm
sure I'll get the missing pieces from there in a jiffy.

I am probably being paranoid, and the answer is that it'll just work if I
delete Office and reinstall it, that ActiveSync ill just sort out the mess
and Sync it all after the re-install, and that ot doesn't matter that they re
out of sync now.... However I would like someone who knows the processes
better, to tell me that, or tell me what to do in what order....

With that info, I will be able to just remove Office and re-install...

If anyone does have any more info on another method, then do let me know.
Failing that I'll leave this question hanging here until I get the missing
pieces, then I'll report back on my findings for the good of the community
(in case anyone is unlucky enough to get a similar sequence of events in the
future!).

Thanks for your continued interest.

Mike

At 08 Apr 2007 16:20:01 -0700 xpcomputers wrote:


> If you read my first post, Office isn't re-activating. When I click
"Next"
> with the Office CD in (which is what it asks me to do to re-activate),
it
> just goes away without activating!

Are you positive that the CD is the one originallyused to instal that
version of Office? I raninto a similar problem with an Office reinsstall-
I had both SP1 and SP2 versions of Office and had to use the one it was
originally installed from.


> There is no problem with the Product Key though (they did at least
check
> that for me), so if I can get the software at this end to get as far as
the
> actual re-activation box, (even if it failed the internet one), then as
you
> say they would happily re-activate over the phone. The problem is that
it
> doesn't get that far!!!


My only advice now would be to backup both the Office PIM data and the
PDA's PIM data (either with a backup utility or using a free exchange
server like mail2web.com.)

Then forcibly uninstall/reinstall Office if possible (which might require
a drive format and complete reinstall at this point) and then restore the
Office PIM data and attempt resyncing. If it works, great, if not, you
can wipe the phone clean and restore from backup or mail2web, and recopy
the Office backup and be back where you started.


> As I said it won't even do a simple uninstall or re-install over the top.
So
> the only way to proceed appears to be a forceable uninstall.

It won't "repair" either?


> What I need is a step-by-step guide to not losing or duplicating data
on my
> phone, but getting them up to date (whilst Office is in reduced mode),
so
> that I can then use the instructions kindly given to me above, to
remove
> Office so that I can re-install it again.

Since the PPC has the most up-to-date data, backing it up with a third
party utility or a hosted Exhange will at least "freeze" that data so you
can experiment without fear of lsing the data. It sounds like you aren't
trying anything, because you fear data loss, which is understandable, but
trying different options is, unfortunately, the only thing that will
likely work.

> So if someone thinks I'm making this into a big issue out of nothing,
then
> please gentle show me where I am going wrong with guide how to fix it,
and
> I'll be very happy. I am probably making a big issue out of the
activesync
> part, but that is an area I have no expertise in, and I and therefore
> suitably cautious. I want to ask the questions BEFORE I mess it all up!

That's why (insert your deity of choice here) gave us the ability to
backup. If you create a backup of the phone and desktop now, you can
aexperiment with potential solutions, yet always get back to where things
are now if something goes awry.

> I am
> probably erring on the side of caution there, but I need to, as I can't
> afford to lose 6 weeks worth of phone data.

And you won't if you make a backup with a program like SPB Backup or
Sprite Backup.

> I was hoping that people in the pocketpc.activesync newsgroup might be
able
> to chip in with some advice on this issue for me. No reply yet, so I
might
> have to try a Windows Mobile forum to get the last piece of the puzzle
so
> that I have the full process sorted before I jump.

There isn't much to tell you- Activesync SHOULDN'T create duplicates or
lose any of your data, but can I or anyone else absolutely guarantee
that? No, of course not. I've used Activesync and PPCs for six years
and I've seen AS do so pretty horrible things to my data, which is why I
make regular backups!

> I really do appreciate all the help. Just need the missing pieces now.

You've already receive
those pieces from other posters- backup the desktop and the PPC and just
try syncing and see what happens. The longer you wait, the more out-of-
sync they become, which increases the probability of sync errors, IMHO.

Hi Mike,

Sorry for the delay due to the weekend.

By reviewing the post logs, it seems now your main concern is about
ActiveSync. Please understand that our TechNet newsgroup is an issue based
service, meaning we usually respond to one question/issue per post. This
will lessen the confusion for both of us, as well as ensure that our
results are accurate and not a result of a test for a different question.
Therefore, regarding the ActiveSync question, please open up a new post in
that newsgroup so that the dedicated MS engineer can help you on it in a
more efficient manner.

Meanwhile, personally I would like to suggest a re-built of Office related
registry keys. From the scenario, it is possible this issue is caused by
the corruption of registry entries. By just re-building the keys instead of
Office, the mobile device sync problem can be avoided. What you will lose
is just some customized settings of Office components which can be reset
easily.

To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Click Start>Run, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks) in the
Open box and press Enter.
2. Locate the registry keys below and click Delete from the Edit menu.
Click OK on the following warning dialog box.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office
3. Go to Add/Remove Programs to perform a repair of Office XP.

Hope the suggestion helps!


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
================================================== ==
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
================================================== ==
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

Todd,

Thanks for the excellent reply. As you say the sooner I dive in the less out
of sync they become.

I am now looking at the various PDA backup utilities. Unfortunately I have
previously seen my "syncing" as being the phones backup. I am now realising
how foolish that was. I obviously need one that I can install without an
ActiveSync, but hopefully all of them will do that.

Once I am backed-up on both desktop & phone, then I will try Leon's
suggestion of removing registry entries first. If that fails, then I will
carry on with the removal, safe in the knowledge that I have it all backed-up
anyway.

Mike



"Todd Allcock" wrote:

> At 08 Apr 2007 16:20:01 -0700 xpcomputers wrote:
>
>
> > If you read my first post, Office isn't re-activating. When I click
> "Next"
> > with the Office CD in (which is what it asks me to do to re-activate),
> it
> > just goes away without activating!
>
> Are you positive that the CD is the one originallyused to instal that
> version of Office? I raninto a similar problem with an Office reinsstall-
> I had both SP1 and SP2 versions of Office and had to use the one it was
> originally installed from.
>
>
> > There is no problem with the Product Key though (they did at least
> check
> > that for me), so if I can get the software at this end to get as far as
> the
> > actual re-activation box, (even if it failed the internet one), then as
> you
> > say they would happily re-activate over the phone. The problem is that
> it
> > doesn't get that far!!!
>
>
> My only advice now would be to backup both the Office PIM data and the
> PDA's PIM data (either with a backup utility or using a free exchange
> server like mail2web.com.)
>
> Then forcibly uninstall/reinstall Office if possible (which might require
> a drive format and complete reinstall at this point) and then restore the
> Office PIM data and attempt resyncing. If it works, great, if not, you
> can wipe the phone clean and restore from backup or mail2web, and recopy
> the Office backup and be back where you started.
>
>
> > As I said it won't even do a simple uninstall or re-install over the top.
> So
> > the only way to proceed appears to be a forceable uninstall.
>
> It won't "repair" either?
>
>
> > What I need is a step-by-step guide to not losing or duplicating data
> on my
> > phone, but getting them up to date (whilst Office is in reduced mode),
> so
> > that I can then use the instructions kindly given to me above, to
> remove
> > Office so that I can re-install it again.
>
> Since the PPC has the most up-to-date data, backing it up with a third
> party utility or a hosted Exhange will at least "freeze" that data so you
> can experiment without fear of lsing the data. It sounds like you aren't
> trying anything, because you fear data loss, which is understandable, but
> trying different options is, unfortunately, the only thing that will
> likely work.
>
> > So if someone thinks I'm making this into a big issue out of nothing,
> then
> > please gentle show me where I am going wrong with guide how to fix it,
> and
> > I'll be very happy. I am probably making a big issue out of the
> activesync
> > part, but that is an area I have no expertise in, and I and therefore
> > suitably cautious. I want to ask the questions BEFORE I mess it all up!
>
> That's why (insert your deity of choice here) gave us the ability to
> backup. If you create a backup of the phone and desktop now, you can
> aexperiment with potential solutions, yet always get back to where things
> are now if something goes awry.
>
> > I am
> > probably erring on the side of caution there, but I need to, as I can't
> > afford to lose 6 weeks worth of phone data.
>
> And you won't if you make a backup with a program like SPB Backup or
> Sprite Backup.
>
> > I was hoping that people in the pocketpc.activesync newsgroup might be
> able
> > to chip in with some advice on this issue for me. No reply yet, so I
> might
> > have to try a Windows Mobile forum to get the last piece of the puzzle
> so
> > that I have the full process sorted before I jump.
>
> There isn't much to tell you- Activesync SHOULDN'T create duplicates or
> lose any of your data, but can I or anyone else absolutely guarantee
> that? No, of course not. I've used Activesync and PPCs for six years
> and I've seen AS do so pretty horrible things to my data, which is why I
> make regular backups!
>
> > I really do appreciate all the help. Just need the missing pieces now.
>
> You've already receive
> those pieces from other posters- backup the desktop and the PPC and just
> try syncing and see what happens. The longer you wait, the more out-of-
> sync they become, which increases the probability of sync errors, IMHO.
>
>
>

Hi Leon,

Thanks for this idea. I am currently finding a Phone backup solution, so
that whaterver happens with Office I can roll back to get my data.

Once I've done that I will try your solution with the registry first.

I am wondering if this extra bit of info might help diagnose the Office
problem though. When I click "detect & repair" in the Help menu of Office, it
says "source not available".
The CD is in the drive, and I know it is the right CD as it is the only
Office CD I've ever had. I am wondering if it is trying to look for it in the
wrong place and it gives me no option to change that source location.
Certainly the CD drive doesn't seem to spin up in that scenario. I had
previously check the source location in the registry and is listed as X: as
it should be.

Anyway, as soon as I get the backup software bought, I'll crack on with it.

Thanks for the continued interest.

Mike

"Leon Hao [MSFT]" wrote:

> Hi Mike,
>
> Sorry for the delay due to the weekend.
>
> By reviewing the post logs, it seems now your main concern is about
> ActiveSync. Please understand that our TechNet newsgroup is an issue based
> service, meaning we usually respond to one question/issue per post. This
> will lessen the confusion for both of us, as well as ensure that our
> results are accurate and not a result of a test for a different question.
> Therefore, regarding the ActiveSync question, please open up a new post in
> that newsgroup so that the dedicated MS engineer can help you on it in a
> more efficient manner.
>
> Meanwhile, personally I would like to suggest a re-built of Office related
> registry keys. From the scenario, it is possible this issue is caused by
> the corruption of registry entries. By just re-building the keys instead of
> Office, the mobile device sync problem can be avoided. What you will lose
> is just some customized settings of Office components which can be reset
> easily.
>
> To do this, follow the steps below:
>
> 1. Click Start>Run, type "regedit" (without the quotation marks) in the
> Open box and press Enter.
> 2. Locate the registry keys below and click Delete from the Edit menu.
> Click OK on the following warning dialog box.
> HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office
> HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Office
> 3. Go to Add/Remove Programs to perform a repair of Office XP.
>
> Hope the suggestion helps!
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Leon Hao
>
> Microsoft Online Partner Support
> Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
> ================================================== ==
> When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
> that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
> ================================================== ==
> This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
>
>

Hi Mike,

Glad to hear you will try the suggestion after the backup actions.

If this does not help or you need further more assistance on the Office
related issue, please do not hesitate to get back here and we are all
willing to provide help.

Have a nice day!


Regards,

Leon Hao

Microsoft Online Partner Support
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security
================================================== ==
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via your newsreader so
that others may learn and benefit from your issue.
================================================== ==
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.