Office 2003 activation?

[unimatrixzer0]

I was planning on buying the academic version of Microsoft Office 2003. My question is does it need to be activated like Windows XP? Also if thats the case does that mean after I change my hardware X amount of times will it think I've installed it on more than 3 machines (since it comes with a license for 3 PC's) that I've installed it on a 4th?

Thanks.

[John Veteran]

I was planning on buying the academic version of Microsoft Office 2003. My question is does it need to be activated like Windows XP?

yes, it does. if you change the hardware and it needs to activate again, it will work fine. if not, you'll just have to make a free call to microsoft and explain to them what you did.

btw, if you do install it on more than X number of machines (i don't know how many it allows you, i thought just one + a laptop) then you're breaking the license and activation has the right to prevent you from using it.

[JoGro123]

If you use the product within EULA which basically is non illegaly. You really will not have a problem. The truth is, the majority of people who complain about activation do so because they use the product illegaly.

[unimatrixzer0]

well, I replace my hardware very often so it would be a pain to have to call them multiple times, regardless if its a free call, to have it reactivated.

[uniacidz]

http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/p...activation.mspx

ALSO, read below under the title activation to save your acivation file so you dont have to activate it all the time.

You have 50 grace launches before you must activate an Office 2003 Editions product. If you do not activate within 50 launches, the product will go into reduced-functionality mode. At this point, you will not be able to edit documents or create new ones. Existing documents can still be viewed and printed, because the actual files remain unchanged. When a program is in reduced functionality mode, you may still activate it at any time to enable its full functionality.

Each time you start an Office program, the activation wizard also starts?until the product has been activated. If you choose to activate your product over the Internet, the activation wizard will automatically detect your Internet connection, and connect to an internal Microsoft server to transfer your installation ID to Microsoft. A confirmation ID is passed back to your computer, automatically activating the Office program. This process is anonymous and normally takes just a few seconds to complete.

NOTACTIVATIONb>

Beginning with some versions of Office 2000, activation is required if you want to continue to use Office applications after 50 uses. You can "save" your activation and restore it without connecting to the activation servers provided your hardware does not change significantly and the installed Office applications are the same.

Office 2003: Activate over the Internet and save opa11.dat.

Both files are stored here:

C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\OFFICE\DATA [if you can't see the OFFICE\DATA folder, you need to show hidden files and folders in Windows Explorer, Tools, Folder Options, View.]

[OptiPlex]

So if you save opa11.dat and if the hardware config is the same it won't ask you to activate?

SWEET

Doesn't students and teachers edition let you install on 3 separate systems with one copy, and there are no legal probs there

[+BeLGaRaTh Subscriber¹]

The process is painless, I've had to call M$ regarding activation of my copy of WinXP on numerous occasions, and the longest its been has been 2 minutes. Hardly a hassle, I imagine it is exactly the same for the Office activation process.

Davey, in my experience the method of backing up the opa file generally doesnt work, same with the method of backing up the activation file for WinXP doesnt work :(

[uniacidz]

Has worked for me.

I just install product, serial. yadda yadda yadda, and then i place the backed up file in the respective location and presto, works.

If doesnt work, could be cos of security permissions but you can reset the permissions for all admins/everyone/allusers etc.

[dougkinzinger]

The process is painless, I've had to call M$ regarding activation of my copy of WinXP on numerous occasions, and the longest its been has been 2 minutes. Hardly a hassle, I imagine it is exactly the same for the Office activation process.

Davey, in my experience the method of backing up the opa file generally doesnt work, same with the method of backing up the activation file for WinXP doesnt work :(

Right, the people who complain about activation are the people who haven't actually used it....it's painless.

[unimatrixzer0]

I have no problem with having to activate online but having to phone in after it tells me I've changed my hardware enough it think its on a different machine is annoying.

[markwolfe Veteran]

One thing I can point out is that, even though the EULA says that Office is for only one machine, you can (I have heard) call Microsoft, and explain you are using it on a home desktop, and want to use it on your own laptop, too. And they will authorize it, and you will be 'legal' for both - being considered 'fair use' as it will be non-simultaneous. (The legal alternative would be to uninstall and install on your other PC every time you wanted to switch)

This is from word-of-mouth only. If you call them, please post their response here, as I am curious.

[tkyoshi]

They rep will usually ask how many comps it's installed on. If you say one and give a legitamate reason then usually they will authorize another code assuming your key hasn't been denied multiple times (in a short while) for numerous hardware changes.

The automated activation will fail as it uses a similar method as the internet and will direct you to someone.

[morganpugh84]

I had Office XP installed on my laptop and desktop using the same license. I had to call MS to get it activated on my laptop however they had no problem with it providing I was the owner of both systems. However they would not let me do it for another desktop. They said it wasn't allowed. I don't know how official it was for them to do that but I have 2 witnesses if MS wanna change there minds and try and get me to buy another license :devil:

[JimmyT]

This process is anonymous and normally takes just a few seconds to complete.

Anonymous, yeah, right! They don't ask you your name but the 1st thing they tell you is: This call is being recorded.

And of course they get the tel. number using caller ID.

Even pizza delivery knows who and where I am, isn't this very anonymous?

[uniacidz]

Anonymous, yeah, right! They don't ask you your name but the 1st thing they tell you is: This call is being recorded.

And of course they get the tel. number using caller ID.

Even pizza delivery knows who and where I am, isn't this very anonymous?

Get a silent number.

:D

[unimatrixzer0]

Anonymous, yeah, right! They don't ask you your name but the 1st thing they tell you is: This call is being recorded.

And of course they get the tel. number using caller ID.

Even pizza delivery knows who and where I am, isn't this very anonymous?

Use a cell phone, lol. I thought cells phones gave you the option to make it so the person you're calling can't see your number if you don't want them too. So they'd get "unknown caller" on their caller ID.

[+BeLGaRaTh Subscriber¹]

Wow, why are you all paranoid about your phone number? If its that important that you dont give your number, use someone elses phone or just with-hold the number yourself.