Goddamn Microsoft Office!

[Amnesiac]

Okay tech-heads I need your help! For an inexplicable reason that has just developed tonight when I turned my computer on, ALL OF MY DOCUMENTS in Office are LOCKED. I didn't TELL them to lock, I didn't so anything unusual, but now they just ARE! So I can read and scroll my documents but I can't type and I AM MOT-HER-FUCK-ING PISSED!!!!

Here's the sit:

I bought an HP media center, dual-core desktop last month. IT DOES NOT GO ON THE INTERNET. Files from the internet are virus-scanned before they are downloaded onto it. It came with a trial-edition of Office (which keeps reminding me to activate it) but I installed my full version of it instead.

I have worked on files of all kinds on this desktop without trouble UNTIL now! Every single Word, Excel, ANYTHING Office-related is LOCKED and not basic or online help outside of actual tech support questions offer any goddamn information about unlocking them!

Observation:

Whenever I open any of these files, the screen comes on and the toolbar is active for a fraction of a second until the "Activate Trial Edition of Office 2003" widow comes on, then the toolbar goes gray. After I click CANCEL, the window goes away like always but the toolbar STAYS FUCKING GRAY! Which means that for a fraction of a second, it was active and then decided to be a bitch and not open. I can insert some things or change the page view, but everything else (copy, cut and paste to name a few) all dead solid gray!

HOW THE FUCK DO I UNLOCK MY DOCUMENTS? ALL OF THEM?

Whoever solves this for me gets one day's room and board at GLAT 2 free courtesy of me (provided Mimi invites you).

 

[asutickler]

To the best I can discern, if you don't activate your copy of MS Office 2003 within a certain amount of time, it automatically goes into "reduced functionality mode," and functions like a document viewer. You can view files with it, but you can't edit them.

See item number 10 in the link below:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;827291

 

[amk714]

I did a search and came up with the same link as Asu. So no screens with instructions pop up when you use Office, Amnesiac? 😕

 

[Soda83pop]

Had a similar situation at the office of a guy I work for on the side. I maintain his office Network, but he thinks he knows alot about computers, and doesnt tell me about shit until its too late. Same thing happend...installed software (Office), didnt register it and didnt tell me, and calls me wondering why all of his documents are in read only.

 

[Storm_Cat]

The problem could be that you have both versions on the same machine. Un-install the trial version.

What's the point of having both? It's redundant to me, not to mention uses up more disc space.

 

[ViperGTS]

First step: Uninstall Microsoft Office. All of it. The files will remain on your computer but the program affiliations will be lost.

Step 2: Reinstall the full version (NOT the trial version) of Microsoft Office 2003. The first time it asks you to Activate the software, call the phone number it gives you. The automated system will guide you through the process of activating Office.

Step 3: DO NOT REGISTER OFFICE. It is not needed, and I personally prefer not to register anythying.

Step 4: Go check your Office files again. Windows might ask if you want to restore file associations for Office. Say Yes if it does.

Unless there is a further problem with your computer, this should fix your Office problem.

 

[amk714]

amk714 - Uh...I dunno, wold you like anything?

Money, preferably American dollars. 😀 How much, you ask? Whatever you can spare, Amnesiac. Thanks. 😀

 

[TKpervert]

DAMN !!! I did four full days of intensive research on your problem and was ready to present a long list of possible remedies.

Is there a prize for good intentions marred only by a touch of sloth ?

oh wait .. post is only one day old .. never mind...

 

[Storm_Cat]

Dajerx & Storm_Cat - I'll name two characters in an MTJ story after you guys.

KewL .... ....finally, ... a shot at fame ... in the spotlight ... among the stars ...!! 😀

Do I get a leading role? 😀

I'm ecstatic ... let us know when it comes out ... !!

 

[ViperGTS]

the Trial Edition had been activated by the manufacturer...

ViperGTS - You've already GOT a reward...her name is Irishgirl5.

Please explain this more....I don't understand how a Trial could be activated by the manufacturer. The information on the hard drive is copied to it via Ghost or Casper or some other propietary software, and no CDs are ever inserted into the machine. The system is then booted long enough to POST and make it to the Welcome screen, then it is shut down and packaged for shipment. Thus, the Office software could never have been activated.

Secondly...you cheap, jealous bastard. 😛 However true your words might be.

 

[Soda83pop]

Please explain this more....I don't understand how a Trial could be activated by the manufacturer. The information on the hard drive is copied to it via Ghost or Casper or some other propietary software, and no CDs are ever inserted into the machine. The system is then booted long enough to POST and make it to the Welcome screen, then it is shut down and packaged for shipment. Thus, the Office software could never have been activated.

Beat me to it Vipe...struck me as odd as well.

BTW, I meant activate, not register.........my bad for using improper terms (stupid, stupid lack of sleep). But I am still curious as to how they fixed it.

 

[ViperGTS]

There are only two instances where the Office would have been activated, but neither are likely.

1) The machine has been turned on and played with at the manufacturer long before it was even shipped to you, for the personal use of workers there. Highly unlikely.

2) The computer was bought from a retail establishment and was a floor model, and for demonstration purposes to a customer, the Office Trial was activated. Most stores have a policy in which the computer is reformatted and the OS is reinstalled before it leaves the store, however.

Both of these account for the missing month in the 60-day trial of Office.

 

[isabeau]

do i get a reward for not understanding what the heck you are talking about? i did have a major virus last june, my norton went down, and i couldnt send or delete emails, plus my computer would suddenly flash it was strange and the virus even spread to hubbys laptop. we had to completely reformat.

i know this isnt what you are talking about. but a reward for answering could be in order lol

isabeau

and good luck amnesiac sounds frustrating as all hell

 

[Amnesiac]

Well Isabeau, you DO deserve a reward, anbd here it is:

4 hours of being tied to your bed while I give strategic instructions to your husband; because he can get you in places I can't!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!

 

[isabeau]

Well Isabeau, you DO deserve a reward, anbd here it is:

4 hours of being tied to your bed while I give strategic instructions to your husband; because he can get you in places I can't!

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!

well dang Amnesiac that sounds like great fun and a wonderful reward for hubby but what the heck did he do to deserve that????? lol

isabeau