Compaq was restored to Original Factory using Restore Partion Now MS Office asks for Key

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UsherR

18 posts

Geek

#58571 15-Mar-2010 07:57

Hi all,

Using F11 was used on a Compaq (bought in 2008), to restore the system to Factory Default.
Everything is great except Microsoft Office 2007 which is asking for the Key in Word everytime
it is opened. This is really the only application this woman uses with Office.

Since Windows XP didn't ask for the key, why is Microsoft Office 2007?

Any suggestions would help, I have asked this woman if the key of Windows and/or Office were
on the back of the computer. They can only find the Microsoft Windows XP key.

Thanks in advance.

Kraven

738 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 190

#307266 15-Mar-2010 08:46

MS Office is licensed separately from Windows, so you will need an Office license key to license it.

The key would not have been pre-installed on the laptop and would have required the end user to enter it. So they should have a COA (card) with the license on it somewhere. Possibly they could have made the purchase online, in which case they should have printed off the key and stored it somewhere safe.

If you have an image backup of the laptop, you could extract the license key from that, otherwise you'll either need to find that key, or they will need to purchase a new license.

exportgoldman

1202 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3

Trusted

#307317 15-Mar-2010 10:21

And another trick, and I don't know if this is just F11 in for Windows 7 recovery, but you have to stick in the Office 2007 CD when the HP restore wizard for Windows prompts for Additional Application CD.

If you skip past this then you cannot install Office 2007 directly off the CD, and you cannot download a OEM installer, you HAVE TO REINSTALL.

So when you find the key if it doesn't work thats why.

Tyler - Parnell Geek - iPhone 3G - Lenovo X301 - Kaseya - Great Western Steak House, these are some of my favourite things.

UsherR

18 posts

Geek

#307753 16-Mar-2010 11:40

Thank You both for the reply. I did some further digging for them, the key is only for temporary
use of the software, they have to buy the key seperately from Microsoft or download a temp key.

The key, I found out, is supposed to be on the Microsoft Money CD-ROM she got when she bought
the machine.

Thanks for the replies.