MS Validation Key

amazingreys · Aug 29, 2008

I can't do the updates Microsoft advises me to do because my validation key number is incorrect. The message tells me that perhaps someone who worked on my computer to do some repairs used a different validation key. I get this message after I enter the key number from my disc. It also says I should re-install the software that came with the computer. I can do that, but here comes the dumb question...(be kind, I'm new at all of this)...If I re-install MS Office Small Business 2003 will it put me back to square one as if this were a brand new computer or is there a work around that will save me from having to download all my stuff onto a memory stick?

Thanks in advance for your help!

dlb · Aug 29, 2008

:wave Welcome to Major Geeks! :major
The first thing you should do is to uninstall the current version of Office (just go to Add/Remove Programs) to be sure the re-install will go smooth. Uninstalling Office will have no effect on anything except for Office. Your Windows will not be affected, your documents and data will not be affected, your drivers and internet will not be affected (unless you use Outlook for your email). After you uninstall Office, reboot the PC. Then run CCleaner and use the default settings to clean the hard drive and the registry. Then re-install Office from your CD. It should install perfectly. Let us know how it goes!

[dlb]

DavidGP · Aug 30, 2008

Hi

Are the updates Windows updates or Office updates that cause the validation Key message to appear?

What are you trying to install with a key that gives you rhe validation message?

What Windows version are you using?

If its Windows then check you have a valid Windows licence key, if a bought PC as in DELL, HP etc you should have a COA ( Cert of Authenticity ) sticker on the PC somewhere with Licence code, or if a home build then hopefully you have the original Windows CD with licence sticker, as to get your PC re validated your likely to have to call MSFT up and give them those codes.

Office uninstalling or reinstalling a different version as in Office SB 2003 it wont return your PC to factory status, it will mearly just remove Office from your PC as like dlb says you will unless backed up, just loose emails if using Outlook, other data files as in Word and Excel are left ok, mearly loose their association to the Office applications until an Office version is reinstalled or a compatible application is installed in lieu of Office.

amazingreys · Aug 31, 2008

Thanks for all the direction! I discovered that the validation key issue was XP related. It seems, from the messages through Microsoft, that the person who repaired my computer used a different validation key at some point. Anyway, I worked through a Windows Product Key Update Tool successfuly and the computer is updating right now.

So, one last question. If I have to enter this validation key in the future, for any reason, do I use the number on the computer or do I have some other number that I don't know about since I worked through the update tool?

OR because I worked through this update tool does Microsoft now recognize my original key again?

Thanks again!

APPARENTLY...I typed too soon. The update worked partly then I got an error message that said "access denied". Help!

oma · Aug 31, 2008

See this link, perhaps it may help you? http://www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Decrypting-Decoding/WinKeyFinder.shtml

plodr · Aug 31, 2008

I always use this to find the windows key
http://majorgeeks.com/Magical_Jelly_Bean_Keyfinder_d2612.html

Call back and give the person on the phone both keys and explain the problem. Also explain about the update problem. Ask which key you should use or may be if it is possible to change what is in your computer to the key that is on your CD.

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MS Validation Key

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