Problem Removing Microsoft Office 2003

Hi,

I had MS Office 2003 with SP1 on my computer (runni9ng XP pro, SP2) but had to change to a new hard drive (the old one was clicking horribly and was about to die. It was also about 5 years old and too small. The new one is 200 gb and fast). I used the instalation and setup software that came with the new drive (a Maxtor 6L200PO), which automatically sets up the new drive as the boot drive and copies all files and setings from the old to the new. Everything worked fine except Office 2003 and my Norton Systemworks. I was able to completely uninstall Systemworks (a long and ridiculous process!) and reinstall on the new drive. However, I was NOT able to do the same with Office 2003.

When I tried to run the programs, they would open but would try to "setup". When I cancel that, some would work (Word, Excel), but some would not (Access, Visio). Interestingly, PowerPoint worked without any messages at all! So I let the "setup" message go and tried to do what it said. It keeps asking me for certain files in specific locations which don't exist on the new drive. When that didn't work I tried to uninstal. It kept asking me for those very same files. Clearly they were not copied during the disk setup (and when I checked the old drive, they were not there either, possibly a problem related to previous disk problems I had.. I really don't know and have nothing to look back at!), even though they worked without any problems.

I ended up installing Office XP which works fine, but I now have a copy of Office 2003 that I can't get rid of. Any help on how to remove it completely, so I can reinstal it (I like it better than office XP)? I suspect its possible, but will probably be a long and drawn out process. Or, alternatively, is there some way to get a better image of the old drive while I still can (that includes EVERYTHING, including whatever must be in the registry that allows the programs to work on the old drive that must be missing from the new one) so that Office 2003 works properly.

Thanks in advance. I know I probably have left out a lot of information I should have included, but I don't what. I can and will add whatever I need to if only someone can tell me what it is!!

Mortonator

 

BTW, I'm running a windows pc, using the AMD Athlon XP 1800+ processor, I have only the one hard drive, the Maxtor 6L200PO (200gb capacity 7200 speed, super ata), 1 standard issue floppy that I haven't used in years. I am attaching a current profile with probably more info than you need.

 

I tried the install over the top approach.

yes exactly

Thank you, I will see what else comes back and then probably give it a try.

Thanks for your quick response.

Mortonator