Guest Hillneerg Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 I'm new to XP (Celeron/1.7/632 Ram Xp Home) as I have just obtained a PC from a friend who was upgrading. She left a few programs on it but I didn't really want them so (foolishly) reinstalled XP from the CD. This removed all the programs from the start menu but not from the PC. They would all need re-installing from what I gather but I'm not concerned with that as I didn't buy them in the first place and have my own copies. Now, the problem is, trying to run Word 2002 (or other Office10 programs like Frontpage) gives the message that it isn't installed for the current user. Ok, fair enough, I have my own copy of Office XP and have tried to install but my Program key isn't being accepted. The existing program doesn't appear in add/remove. I'm presuming that the existing program wants the key it was installed with, not mine (no, she hasn't got it any more) and that's why it won't accept mine (bought and paid for, I hasten to add, and running fine on my WinMe PC). The only information I can find starts "uninstall from add/remove" but it's not there. I have tried just deleting the folder and installing afresh but it still won't accept my product key. Ideally, I would like to uninstall the existing version and then install mine (they are both the same versions) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Hillneerg
Guest JS Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Re: Xp reinstall Can't uninstall programs Since you are not concerned with the previous owners stuff and indicated that you re-installed XP, did you do a 'Clean Install'? Before you do the Clean Install verify all the existing product CD Key codes you can using Belarc Advisor. Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html It does a good job of providing a wealth of information including Driver info. How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP: From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm also: http://www.bootdisk.com/ Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video card, sound card, Etc. Note: OEM Windows Installs usually come with a sticker on the PC or laptop and may not match the factory installed key. JS "Hillneerg" <Hillneerg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:33640142-D9A8-441B-A084-25CE869C3B71@microsoft.com... > I'm new to XP (Celeron/1.7/632 Ram Xp Home) as I have just obtained a PC > from a friend who was upgrading. > She left a few programs on it but I didn't really want them so (foolishly) > reinstalled XP from the CD. > This removed all the programs from the start menu but not from the PC. > They would all need re-installing from what I gather but I'm not concerned > with that as I didn't buy them in the first place and have my own copies. > Now, the problem is, trying to run Word 2002 (or other Office10 programs > like Frontpage) gives the message that it isn't installed for the current > user. Ok, fair enough, > I have my own copy of Office XP and have tried to install but my Program > key > isn't being accepted. > The existing program doesn't appear in add/remove. > I'm presuming that the existing program wants the key it was installed > with, > not mine (no, she hasn't got it any more) and that's why it won't accept > mine > (bought and paid for, I hasten to add, and running fine on my WinMe PC). > The only information I can find starts "uninstall from add/remove" but > it's > not there. > I have tried just deleting the folder and installing afresh but it still > won't accept my product key. > Ideally, I would like to uninstall the existing version and then install > mine (they are both the same versions) > Any help would be appreciated. > Thanks, > Hillneerg >
Guest Hillneerg Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Re: Xp reinstall Can't uninstall programs I had thought of that but I have installed a lot of stuff myself (including tuff downloaded from the Internet) since I have had it (I have only just tried Word and found the problem) so a clean install would be a last choice if all else fails. I did the reinstall mainly because the sound drivers were faulty (it didn't fix them, that required getting the proper ones on-line after looking at the AC97 chip and finding out which ones to get). It's just so annoying that I can't uninstall the thing. Hillneerg "JS" wrote: > Since you are not concerned with the previous owners stuff and indicated > that you re-installed XP, did you do a 'Clean Install'? > Before you do the Clean Install verify all the existing product CD Key codes > you can using Belarc Advisor. > Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html > It does a good job of providing a wealth of information including Driver > info. > > How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP: > From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html > more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm > and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm > also: http://www.bootdisk.com/ > > Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video > card, sound card, Etc. > > Note: OEM Windows Installs usually come with a sticker on the PC or laptop > and may not match the factory installed key. > > JS > > "Hillneerg" <Hillneerg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:33640142-D9A8-441B-A084-25CE869C3B71@microsoft.com... > > I'm new to XP (Celeron/1.7/632 Ram Xp Home) as I have just obtained a PC > > from a friend who was upgrading. > > She left a few programs on it but I didn't really want them so (foolishly) > > reinstalled XP from the CD. > > This removed all the programs from the start menu but not from the PC. > > They would all need re-installing from what I gather but I'm not concerned > > with that as I didn't buy them in the first place and have my own copies. > > Now, the problem is, trying to run Word 2002 (or other Office10 programs > > like Frontpage) gives the message that it isn't installed for the current > > user. Ok, fair enough, > > I have my own copy of Office XP and have tried to install but my Program > > key > > isn't being accepted. > > The existing program doesn't appear in add/remove. > > I'm presuming that the existing program wants the key it was installed > > with, > > not mine (no, she hasn't got it any more) and that's why it won't accept > > mine > > (bought and paid for, I hasten to add, and running fine on my WinMe PC). > > The only information I can find starts "uninstall from add/remove" but > > it's > > not there. > > I have tried just deleting the folder and installing afresh but it still > > won't accept my product key. > > Ideally, I would like to uninstall the existing version and then install > > mine (they are both the same versions) > > Any help would be appreciated. > > Thanks, > > Hillneerg > > > > >
Guest Ken Blake, MVP Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Re: Xp reinstall Can't uninstall programs On Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:52:07 -0700, Hillneerg <Hillneerg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > I'm new to XP (Celeron/1.7/632 Ram Xp Home) as I have just obtained a PC > from a friend who was upgrading. > She left a few programs on it but I didn't really want them so (foolishly) > reinstalled XP from the CD. Not foolishly at all. You should always do a clean installation when you acquire a used computer. If I acquired a used computer, the first thing I would do with it would be to reinstall the operating system cleanly. You have no idea how the computer has been maintained, what has been installed incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either. > This removed all the programs from the start menu but not from the PC. Exactly how did you reinstall XP? It sounds like you didn't properly do a clean installation. > They would all need re-installing from what I gather but I'm not concerned > with that as I didn't buy them in the first place and have my own copies. > Now, the problem is, trying to run Word 2002 (or other Office10 programs > like Frontpage) gives the message that it isn't installed for the current > user. Ok, fair enough, > I have my own copy of Office XP and have tried to install but my Program key > isn't being accepted. > The existing program doesn't appear in add/remove. > I'm presuming that the existing program wants the key it was installed with, > not mine (no, she hasn't got it any more) and that's why it won't accept mine > (bought and paid for, I hasten to add, and running fine on my WinMe PC). > The only information I can find starts "uninstall from add/remove" but it's > not there. > I have tried just deleting the folder and installing afresh but it still > won't accept my product key. > Ideally, I would like to uninstall the existing version and then install > mine (they are both the same versions) > Any help would be appreciated. > Thanks, > Hillneerg -- Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User Please Reply to the Newsgroup
Guest JS Posted July 26, 2007 Posted July 26, 2007 Re: Xp reinstall Can't uninstall programs Have you tried the Uninstall option located on the Office CD? JS "Hillneerg" <Hillneerg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:178EBFD9-D6AC-4374-8B88-F2FEDDE22910@microsoft.com... >I had thought of that but I have installed a lot of stuff myself (including > tuff downloaded from the Internet) since I have had it (I have only just > tried Word and found the problem) so a clean install would be a last > choice > if all else fails. > I did the reinstall mainly because the sound drivers were faulty (it > didn't > fix them, that required getting the proper ones on-line after looking at > the > AC97 chip and finding out which ones to get). > It's just so annoying that I can't uninstall the thing. > Hillneerg > "JS" wrote: > >> Since you are not concerned with the previous owners stuff and indicated >> that you re-installed XP, did you do a 'Clean Install'? >> Before you do the Clean Install verify all the existing product CD Key >> codes >> you can using Belarc Advisor. >> Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html >> It does a good job of providing a wealth of information including Driver >> info. >> >> How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP: >> From Michael Steven's: >> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html >> more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm >> and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm >> also: http://www.bootdisk.com/ >> >> Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video >> card, sound card, Etc. >> >> Note: OEM Windows Installs usually come with a sticker on the PC or >> laptop >> and may not match the factory installed key. >> >> JS >> >> "Hillneerg" <Hillneerg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:33640142-D9A8-441B-A084-25CE869C3B71@microsoft.com... >> > I'm new to XP (Celeron/1.7/632 Ram Xp Home) as I have just obtained a >> > PC >> > from a friend who was upgrading. >> > She left a few programs on it but I didn't really want them so >> > (foolishly) >> > reinstalled XP from the CD. >> > This removed all the programs from the start menu but not from the PC. >> > They would all need re-installing from what I gather but I'm not >> > concerned >> > with that as I didn't buy them in the first place and have my own >> > copies. >> > Now, the problem is, trying to run Word 2002 (or other Office10 >> > programs >> > like Frontpage) gives the message that it isn't installed for the >> > current >> > user. Ok, fair enough, >> > I have my own copy of Office XP and have tried to install but my >> > Program >> > key >> > isn't being accepted. >> > The existing program doesn't appear in add/remove. >> > I'm presuming that the existing program wants the key it was installed >> > with, >> > not mine (no, she hasn't got it any more) and that's why it won't >> > accept >> > mine >> > (bought and paid for, I hasten to add, and running fine on my WinMe >> > PC). >> > The only information I can find starts "uninstall from add/remove" but >> > it's >> > not there. >> > I have tried just deleting the folder and installing afresh but it >> > still >> > won't accept my product key. >> > Ideally, I would like to uninstall the existing version and then >> > install >> > mine (they are both the same versions) >> > Any help would be appreciated. >> > Thanks, >> > Hillneerg >> > >> >> >>
Guest Hillneerg Posted July 27, 2007 Posted July 27, 2007 Re: Xp reinstall Can't uninstall programs I did a reinstall from the CD that came with the computer. There are a few options there and I chose the one reinstall to correct any problems (the sound wasn't working) No, it wasn't a clean install as I know the person I got it from quite well and there's no chance there would be anything "iffy" on it nor would she have altered anything (she is a just load it and use it person and wouldn't attempt to do anyting else although she does have a habit of deleting stuff. It was set to hide hidden folders though so I don't think she would have deleted anything too important). There were a few free programs that I would have had problems downloading as I am on dial-up that I was hoping to keep. I did read, too late, that there is a warning that programs have to be reinstalled to work. Alas, I had already pressed the button. Of course, she's ditched the CD's that she had for newer versions so I can't ask her for her settings etc. to see if that would help. I have been through the Office10 folders and found one which seems to be a clean-up tool. That seemed to remove it but that doesn't seem to have got rid of whatever is stopping it accepting my product key for some parts. The strange this is, after having used the clean tool and installing rom the CD, (it asked me for my product key which I input and it then happily installed everything. Excel, Outlook, and Access are working and have their serial numbers and my name (under help/about) but Word and Frontpage still ask me for my product key and won't accept it (although the others obviously have). When I start them, a window flashes up "preparing to install" and then the setup box for the product key (although it has already told me that everthing installed ok). I am having a problem understanding what is going on. When I installed this on my laptop, it just installed. Puzzled, Hillneerg "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote: > On Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:52:07 -0700, Hillneerg > <Hillneerg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > > > I'm new to XP (Celeron/1.7/632 Ram Xp Home) as I have just obtained a PC > > from a friend who was upgrading. > > She left a few programs on it but I didn't really want them so (foolishly) > > reinstalled XP from the CD. > > > Not foolishly at all. You should always do a clean installation when > you acquire a used computer. If I acquired a used computer, the first > thing I would do with it would be to reinstall the operating system > cleanly. You have no idea how the computer has been maintained, what > has been installed incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and > spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody > else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I > wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either. > > > > This removed all the programs from the start menu but not from the PC. > > > Exactly how did you reinstall XP? It sounds like you didn't properly > do a clean installation. > > > > > They would all need re-installing from what I gather but I'm not concerned > > with that as I didn't buy them in the first place and have my own copies. > > Now, the problem is, trying to run Word 2002 (or other Office10 programs > > like Frontpage) gives the message that it isn't installed for the current > > user. Ok, fair enough, > > I have my own copy of Office XP and have tried to install but my Program key > > isn't being accepted. > > The existing program doesn't appear in add/remove. > > I'm presuming that the existing program wants the key it was installed with, > > not mine (no, she hasn't got it any more) and that's why it won't accept mine > > (bought and paid for, I hasten to add, and running fine on my WinMe PC). > > The only information I can find starts "uninstall from add/remove" but it's > > not there. > > I have tried just deleting the folder and installing afresh but it still > > won't accept my product key. > > Ideally, I would like to uninstall the existing version and then install > > mine (they are both the same versions) > > Any help would be appreciated. > > Thanks, > > Hillneerg > > -- > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User > Please Reply to the Newsgroup >
Guest Hillneerg Posted July 28, 2007 Posted July 28, 2007 Re: Xp reinstall Can't uninstall programs An update. I have found a solution to this. It's a little unothodox but it worked. I think the problem was created because, after reinstalling XP, the programs each needed reinstalling again. However, as they had been installed by the previous owner, somewhere in the registry were her details so it wouldn't accept mine while they existed for WORD and Frontpage (although it accepted it for the remaining programs). What I did was to rename the original folder as "oldOffice10", install afresh from the CD (WITHOUT INPUTTING ANY PROGRAM KEYS), rename THAT folder as "new Office10". Rename the original back to Office10 and then run the uninstall program from the CD which deleted the original owner's program - although I had to manually delete a file called MSOHEV.DLL which kept stopping the uninstall. I then Installed Word as a single program using a custom install, it then acepted my product key. I then proceeded to install each program as an upgrade under "custom install" and it all worked. I have left the folder "newoffice10" just in case. Long-winded I suppose but it works and didn't involve altering the registry by hand (shudder). Hillneerg "Hillneerg" wrote: > I did a reinstall from the CD that came with the computer. > There are a few options there and I chose the one reinstall to correct any > problems (the sound wasn't working) > No, it wasn't a clean install as I know the person I got it from quite well > and there's no chance there would be anything "iffy" on it nor would she have > altered anything (she is a just load it and use it person and wouldn't > attempt to do anyting else although she does have a habit of deleting stuff. > It was set to hide hidden folders though so I don't think she would have > deleted anything too important). There were a few free programs that I would > have had problems downloading as I am on dial-up that I was hoping to keep. > I did read, too late, that there is a warning that programs have to be > reinstalled to work. Alas, I had already pressed the button. > Of course, she's ditched the CD's that she had for newer versions so I can't > ask her for her settings etc. to see if that would help. > I have been through the Office10 folders and found one which seems to be a > clean-up tool. That seemed to remove it but that doesn't seem to have got rid > of whatever is stopping it accepting my product key for some parts. > The strange this is, after having used the clean tool and installing rom the > CD, (it asked me for my product key which I input and it then happily > installed everything. Excel, Outlook, and Access are working and have their > serial numbers and my name (under help/about) but Word and Frontpage still > ask me for my product key and won't accept it (although the others obviously > have). When I start them, a window flashes up "preparing to install" and then > the setup box for the product key (although it has already told me that > everthing installed ok). > I am having a problem understanding what is going on. > When I installed this on my laptop, it just installed. > Puzzled, > Hillneerg > > "Ken Blake, MVP" wrote: > > > On Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:52:07 -0700, Hillneerg > > <Hillneerg@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote: > > > > > I'm new to XP (Celeron/1.7/632 Ram Xp Home) as I have just obtained a PC > > > from a friend who was upgrading. > > > She left a few programs on it but I didn't really want them so (foolishly) > > > reinstalled XP from the CD. > > > > > > Not foolishly at all. You should always do a clean installation when > > you acquire a used computer. If I acquired a used computer, the first > > thing I would do with it would be to reinstall the operating system > > cleanly. You have no idea how the computer has been maintained, what > > has been installed incorrectly, what is missing, what viruses and > > spyware there may be, etc. I wouldn't want to live with somebody > > else's mistakes and problems, possibility of kiddie porn, etc., and I > > wouldn't recommend that anyone else do either. > > > > > > > This removed all the programs from the start menu but not from the PC. > > > > > > Exactly how did you reinstall XP? It sounds like you didn't properly > > do a clean installation. > > > > > > > > > They would all need re-installing from what I gather but I'm not concerned > > > with that as I didn't buy them in the first place and have my own copies. > > > Now, the problem is, trying to run Word 2002 (or other Office10 programs > > > like Frontpage) gives the message that it isn't installed for the current > > > user. Ok, fair enough, > > > I have my own copy of Office XP and have tried to install but my Program key > > > isn't being accepted. > > > The existing program doesn't appear in add/remove. > > > I'm presuming that the existing program wants the key it was installed with, > > > not mine (no, she hasn't got it any more) and that's why it won't accept mine > > > (bought and paid for, I hasten to add, and running fine on my WinMe PC). > > > The only information I can find starts "uninstall from add/remove" but it's > > > not there. > > > I have tried just deleting the folder and installing afresh but it still > > > won't accept my product key. > > > Ideally, I would like to uninstall the existing version and then install > > > mine (they are both the same versions) > > > Any help would be appreciated. > > > Thanks, > > > Hillneerg > > > > -- > > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP Windows - Shell/User > > Please Reply to the Newsgroup > >
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