Microsoft Software... this is insane!!

steve-in-kville

steve-in-kville

Joined
Dec 25, 2001
Messages
1,139
I run Windows XP on the home PC. I use a lot of Excel files for my property management business. I wanted a laptop so I can lie on the sofa or bed and enter data at my liesure. I picked up an older Toshiba for a few bucks on ebay. It had Windows 2000 proffessional installed as a OS.

I knew it was a chance, but I tried to install my XP Office disk. Amazingly, it worked. Only problem is, it wants me to register the software, although its already registered on my home PC. Now what?? I'm not going to run out and buy another software package just to run Excel programs and the occassional Word program!!:grumpy:

Is there anyway I can inexpensively buy a "clean" copy of Excel/Word for installation?

Thanks!!

steve
 
I THINK you can activate Office on one PC and one laptop without violating the EULA. Could be wrong, though.
 
fdnickerson said:
I THINK you can activate Office on one PC and one laptop without violating the EULA. Could be wrong, though.
Click to expand...

Forgot to add that this would only apply to a retail version of office. OEM versions are married to the PC they were installed on.
 
steve-in-kville said:
I'm not going to run out and buy another software package just to run Excel programs and the occassional Word program!!:grumpy:
Click to expand...

Why do you think that you shouldn't have to buy a second copy?

If you want two PCs, then you have to pay Intel for two processors and Micron for two sets of memory chips and so forth. Why is operating system and application software any different. They are components of your computer system.

If you want to install the software you bought on more than one PC at one time, Microsoft does sell a license that permits that. It's more expensive, yes. But it gives more value to you so it should be more expensive. When you bought your copy of XP, you got it cheap because the license you bought was for a single machine. Microsoft has delivered to you what you paid them for. If you want more from them, then they have every right to ask you to pay them more and you should expect and want to pay them more. The worker is worth his wage.

Getting and installing some sort of "unlocked" version that somehow evades Microsoft's license scheme is theft, morally and legally.

I do not work for Microsoft. I don't particularly like the company. And I certainly do grumble and complain every time I have to fork over some of my money for their buggy products. But, I realize that if I want the product despite its bugs, then I have to pay.






Now, on the other hand, you could switch from Excel to Open Office. The creators of Open Office have elected to offer their product for free (well, all but free if you insist on having a physical disk). BUT, that is their choice, not a choice forced on them by some hacker; the creators of the product have decided to open it up and that is their perogative.
 
You can install MS Office on one desktop machine and one mobile device. You are using one machine or the other.

In any case the MS activation database clears its memory after an activation has been in it 90 days. If multiple activations are noted during this time, the serial number is flagged as compromised, and remains in the database.
 
Don't use the MSOffice on your laptop. Download and install OpenOffice. It's file compatible with Microsoft's software, is free, and works great.
 
Thankfully there are ways around things , if you seek them.

Another recommendation on Openoffice , I used that at work until I could , obtain , another Office disk.
I did have problems though with some Excel files , opening in Openoffice , it seemed to have corrupted some of them , hit and miss... not sure why.
 
A relative of mine was trying to find an inexpensive way to get MS Office a couple of months ago. She needed a program to open Word and other files that her school sent her regularly. The best Microsoft option was a Student Edition for $150. I suggested she try OpenOffice before buying the MS product. She did that and was thrilled with the program.

I've used OpenOffice in the past and never had any problems. It's been a couple of years though...

One thing, although OpenOffice is "mostly compatible" with MS Office, it may not have every single feature. A boss of mine was fond of the obscure Word features like "track changes" and "comments" that OpenOffice didn't have. So the only way to be compatible with work was to use the same version of Word that the office used.

There are other Freeware office suites as well, at least there used to be. But OpenOffice offered the best level of compatibility.

-Bob
 
Gollnick said:
.....Why do you think that you shouldn't have to buy a second copy?......
Click to expand...

I agree 100%. For the OS on a computer. I have a desktop in my home office that only I use, a desktop in my bedroom that only I use, and a laptop in my truck that only I use. Each has a legally purchased and registered OS; I only have one in use at any one time.

Now -- how about applications? If I purchase, say, KnifeKnut 5.0 from Cutting Edge Software and install it on my home office desktop am I expected to purchase another original package of KK5.0 to install on my laptop so I can use it when my laptop is being used?

(I'm using that as an example because many years ago, that is exactly what was expected of you when you purchased Lotus 1-2-3. My answer to that was....well, there's no smilie for GFY ;) They have adapted to the real world since then.
 
If I purchase, say, KnifeKnut 5.0 from Cutting Edge Software and install it on my home office desktop am I expected to purchase another original package of KK5.0 to install on my laptop so I can use it when my laptop is being used?
Click to expand...

That depends on the license that you agreed to when you purchased the software. Some products allow you to install them on multiple computers, some don't. And different software companies have different ways of enforcing their license agreements. Some examples, you buy a game CD. You can install that game on as many computers as you want, but since the CD must be inserted in order to play, the companies make it difficult to use on more than one computer at a time. I definitely wouldn't want Microsoft to use that method for Office! Our software at work uses a slightly different method as well - anyone can download the software for free and install on as many computers as you want, but to use it you must have a "key" inserted into the USB slot. Need to use it on two computers at once, then you have to buy two keys.

-Bob
 
fdnickerson said:
I THINK you can activate Office on one PC and one laptop without violating the EULA. Could be wrong, though.
Click to expand...

No, Office, like Windows, is a single machine license. You can make a backup of the media for protection but you cannot load it on two PCs irrespective of type.

There are "readers" for Excel files that would let you read them but you could only change the files on your home PC where Excel resides. Check Microsoft for an "Excel Reader"
 
iamsmiling said:
No, Office, like Windows, is a single machine license. You can make a backup of the media for protection but you cannot load it on two PCs irrespective of type.

There are "readers" for Excel files that would let you read them but you could only change the files on your home PC where Excel resides. Check Microsoft for an "Excel Reader"
Click to expand...


Microsoft's website says this http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx
Office XP or Office 2003 may be installed on one PC. The primary user of Office may also install one copy on a laptop computer for their exclusive use. To install Office XP or Office 2003 on more than these two devices, another license of the product must be acquired. Licenses for Office XP or Office 2003 acquired preinstalled on a new PC are single-PC licenses that cannot be transferred or installed a second time on another PC or laptop computer.
Click to expand...
 
"...To install Office XP or Office 2003 on more than these two devices, another license of the product must be acquired...."

Well, there's no way I am going to acquire a second license, for my own use only, just so I can install it on my third computer! :grumpy: And if they want to push me on that, I'd like to take some of my friends and clients from Warner Music and EMI and check out the second-generation MP3 'compilation' CD's in the cars in Microsoft's parking lots! :mad:
 
It isn't true Holger. What FDNickerson and I stated is. You can use MS Office on a desktop machine and a laptop that you own and use. You can't be using them both at the same time.

Microsoft's website says this http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

Quote:
Office XP or Office 2003 may be installed on one PC. The primary user of Office may also install one copy on a laptop computer for their exclusive use.
 
Linux. It's the only way to fly. As many copies as you want, no problem. Open office runs great on the Redhat and Ubuntu distributions, probably many others, but those are the only 2 I've used.
 
Andrew Taylor said:
It isn't true Holger. What FDNickerson and I stated is. You can use MS Office on a desktop machine and a laptop that you own and use. You can't be using them both at the same time.

Microsoft's website says this http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx

Quote:
Office XP or Office 2003 may be installed on one PC. The primary user of Office may also install one copy on a laptop computer for their exclusive use.
Click to expand...

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Andrew, my point is/was:

1. Each of my three personal computers has a legally purchased and registered OS installed (Windows XP Home x 2, Windows XP Professional x 1). Only one computer is in use at any one time.
2. I am aware that almost all software/applications sold in the last few years can be legally installed on your desktop and on your laptop (iow, two computers).
3. When it comes to doing things legally (whatever that seems to imply these days) I have been described as anal-retentive, obsessive-compulsive as I am with the F/F of my knives -- however -- I will NOT be purchasing a second legal copy of the application I have already paid for and legally installed on my desktops...just to use on my own laptop (IOW, a THIRD computer)! If Microsoft or Corel or Acme Software has any objection to that, f**k 'em. :)

(...and my comment about MP3 'compilation' CDs was made from personal observation. I guess what's good for the goose is not good for the gander. :mad: )
 
It is silly.

Do you have to buy a different copy of the same CD to be able to play it in your car and house ? What about the DVD your kids may watch in the SUV , you should buy two so you can watch one in your home ? What if you have several rooms with several TV/DVD's , one for each system ?

Same goes for a game , if I chose to install one on my laptop as well as my PC , why would I need to buy two copies ? ( I dont have to , just trying to make a point) It is ridiculous.

What if you wanted to sell your PC and all your software to a friend , now he/she has to go buy new Microsoft products to use ?

:thumbdn:
 
sodak said:
Linux. It's the only way to fly. As many copies as you want, no problem. Open office runs great on the Redhat and Ubuntu distributions, probably many others, but those are the only 2 I've used.
Click to expand...

Another vote for the OpenOffice.org suite and Linux.

Except for using tax software once a year on my wife's PC, I abandoned Windows in 2001, along with all the restrictive Microsoft limitations.
 
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