MS Office 2010 'Trial' message keeps appearing

[voisey]

Not sure in which forum this should be posted - no doubt if this one is incorrect you will let me know (please).

I have recently purchased MS Office 2010 and installed this on my desktop. Previously I was using 2007 - which I have uninstalled prior to 2010 installation. Now, whenever I launch any one of the 2010 suite I get a message to tell me that my trial period has expired and that I should now make a purchase. The thing is, this 2010 purchase was made from a reputable software supplier [software4students of Belfast] with legitimate 'key'.

Could it be possible that a previous version of office (prior to my 2007 legit copy) has perhaps not been uninstalled correctly and left an entry in the registry that should have been cleared.

The message does not prevent me from using the software but it does cause frustration - particularly when I know the software is fully legit

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[kjv1611]

How do you know it is fully legit? How do you know the site is fully legit? Are you aware there are MANY MANY non-legit sites out there on the web?

If I were going to buy that as a student edition, if I were a student, I would just get it direct from Microsoft - you can buy it that way after all, unless I found a really good deal that's better. But then you're taking a risk - risk of it not really being Legit.

Have you tried calling Microsoft? There should be a number for calling them to buy or activate. Try that, and let them tell you whether or not it is legit. Tell them where you bought it, etc.

 

[kjv1611]

Also, have you tried contacting the site from which you bought it?

Is this the site where you bought it? (A link works better than describing if it's a website):

http://www.software4students.co.uk/

 

[kjv1611]

Unless I'm missing something, the pricing on this one seems questionable for sure:

http://www.software4students.co.uk/Microsoft_Office_2010_Professional_Plus-details.aspx

But I don't recall exactly what I found before. But best I recall, I think you can't get "Professional Plus" in a student edition... but that part I may be forgetting... I know I can through work, but I don't remember about student editions - since I'm not a student, I'm not terribly concerned about that right now.

But the price for sure looks less than anything I've seen in the last year. Microssoft had at one time offered the student "super duper Office suite" for 2007 for a few years.. for $59, I think it was. But they since went up to around $100 or so, I think.

But like I said, I don't look that often, so maybe I'm forgetting something.

Either way, I'd say it'd be good to call Microsoft to check on it. They'll be able to tell you for sure whether the site is legit or not, and whether your license is legit or not. After that, though, I don't know what to tell you. If you find out the site is not legit, I can't say they'll give your money back either.

 

[kjv1611]

Some more info just in case to help:

http://www.whoischeck.co.uk/index.php?domain=software4students&tld=co.uk&submit=Check&all=no

and:

https://encrypted.google.com/search...gc.r_pw.&fp=165bfefa6b75e1a2&biw=1280&bih=875

The 2nd link is for a search of the name the site is listed under. I gotta tell you, from that, it doesn't look TOTALLY devious, but it definitely doesn't look promising either... I didn't follow all the links, but it seems awful fishy.

Also, with such a generic name as that, for the company name and the website name, that also makes me suspicious. It's kind of like SPAM emails. I'm more suspicious than not.

 

[voisey]

Thanks for all the above kjv611 - really appreciated. As you say 'how do I know that the site is legit' simply answer I suppose is that I don't. I remember having the similar problem a few years ago when I upgraded from 2003 to 2007 but cannot remember how that was resolved. I have previously purchased office software from PC World (sometimes discounted) but I was directed to this company by a colleague. I will take your advice and contact Microsoft ( I don't think that the supplier, legit or otherwise, would be able to help)

But many thanks for your time and trouble

Cheers

 

[strongm]

> How do you know the site is fully legit?

Erm - Software 4 Students is an Official Microsoft Partner and a Microsoft Authorized Education Reseller. All this is easiy verifiable on Microsoft's own website (for example:

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/students/software4students/default.aspx).

>but it seems awful fishy

There's nothing in either of your links that would lead one to conclude this company is a fishy

 

[voisey]

Thanks for your help chaps, appreciated. Although the message keeps appearing it does not affect the functionality of the suite. It is just annoying and, to me anyway, would seem to be a throw back to a previous, possible, uninstall which may not have finalised correctly [for whatever reason]

Thanks
Voisey

 

[kjv1611]

I've now seen A LOT of such sites which were found to indeed be illegit, and they had similar characteristics. I mean if the name fits, of course, use it, but using a generic name for the company name automatically raises a red flag to me, can't help it. Since that's been the case every single time prior, then yeah, it seemed a little fish. Also, the Google results seemed a bit off for a company that is selling stuff legit.

I didn't say that was the case for sure, just that it seemed that way from looking. There tend to be far more illegit sites than legit anyway when it comes to software.

Hopefully it's not.

voisey,

If you contact Microsoft, and they say it is legit, but for some reason can't tell you how to fix your problem, then there are ways to fix it, just depends upon how badly you want to fix it.

Here are a few suggestions and links for fixing it here:

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-expired/71d3b590-266c-4ef5-a910-eb0aa0c14ec8

Basically, this is what I would do:
1. Totally uninstall Office 2010
2. (didn't see this suggestion, but I always think it best, b/c installers often leave stuff behind): Use CCleaner to clean all temp files and also the registry. You can use other apps if you prefer, that's just the one I used the most in that area.
3. Reboot
4. Re-Install Office - make sure during installation that you choose to enter the product key rather than "install as trial" during the install - to avoid the trial setup up front. Or does it ask later with 2010 - I forget. Whenever it asks, make sure you put the product ID in up front.

Then open one of the apps.... run Windows update shortly later for any updates you need, reboot as necessary.. and then see how it goes.

But surely if you call into Microsoft, they can help you sort it out over the phone, and that really should take less time... I'd just go the other route if MS doesn't instruct on how to fix.

Whatever ends up fixing it, post back with how you resolved it.

 

[MakeItSo]

You say that you were using Office 2007 before. COuld it be that this was a pre-installed O 2007 for which you had purchased a license?

If so, this pre-installs usually consist of two installed packages of which the fully licensed O 2007 is only one.

Go to control panel => software (or: "programs and functions") and check whether there is still an "Office 2007 evaluation package" (or something of that sort) in the software list.
Deinstall it.

Hope that hepls.

Cheers,
MakeItSo

[navy]"We had to turn off that service to comply with the CDA Bill."[/navy]
- The Bastard Operator From Hell

 

[voisey]

Thanks again for all the input I find really helpful.

Just to update, I'm in contact with Microsoft tech support via email and they have confirm all OK - which is great (both company and my software). They are now guiding me through some fancy footwork to uninstall all versions of office and then editing the registry.

When (if) fixed I will post back. If the fault/error remains it's only an irritation

Thanks chaps

 

[strongm]

>they had similar characteristics

It's good to be cautious, but it literally took less than about 10 seconds for me to confirm that this was a completely legitimate company rather than spreading FUD

 

[kjv1611]

Spreading FUD in relation to online sites, where MANY are not legitimate? No, wasn't spreading FUD, simply sharing how I would have decided. First time, literally, where I've been wrong with that method.

Regardless, thanks for posting their link. I didn't look specifically at Microsoft's own site to verify, and it would make sense to look there to begin with.

Anyway, sorry if my shared methods in any way misled anyone. I still stand by that I'd rather be more cautious than just assuming something is Okay. I've seen regulars on this site fall for VERY similar sites in the past.

 

[voisey]

My problem has been resolved.

Resolution Steps: (as suppied by Microsoft)

=================================

1. Close all open windows and applications on your computer and return back to the desktop view.

2. On your Windows XP computer: navigate to Programs and Features (Start > Control Panel > Programs and/or Programs and Features).

3. Check if you see a trial activation software: “Microsoft Office Suite Activation Assistant” or a software with the words “Activation Assistant” in the name of the software. If found right-click on the software and click onUninstall. Ignore this step if you do not find the trial activation software and proceed to step 4

4. Once the above is removed find:Click-to-run or Office 2010 Click-to-run installed and right-click on it and click onUninstall. Once removed proceed with the next set of steps.

5. Once the above is completed check and uninstall any other version of Office 2010, Office 2007 and/or Office 2003 and any other Microsoft Office edition/version from the Programs and Features window.

6. Now we need to run an Office removal tool to remove the previous versions or trial/editions of Office from the computer.

7. Load the following link in your browser:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

8. On the above link run the FIXIT tool for Office 2010. This may take a few minutes or complete in a few seconds, and will remove any corrupted installations and remnants of Office 2010.

9. After this is completed run the FIXIT tool for Office 2007. This may also take a few minutes or complete in a few seconds.

10. Finally run the FIXIT for Office 2003 just in case there are any remnants of any components of the older version of Office. This may run or may say that this FIXIT is not application for your computer or Operating System – which is fine.

11. After the above process is completed, close any open window and return to the desktop.

12. Now we will check and delete the 2 Office Registry Keys in the Registry Editor.

13. Click onStart and then on Run. If the Run option is not available in the Start Menu navigate to this location:Start > All Programs > Accessories > Run.

14. Type the following command in the Run box and click on OK:regedit

15. Expand the 2nd Sub Registry KeyHKEY_CURRENT_USER and then expand the SOFTWARE Key below. Similarly expand theMICROSOFT Key. Find the OFFICE Key under Microsoft and right-click on the key and delete the Key. Come back all the way to the top of the Registry Key and collapse the HKEY_CURRENT_USER Key.

16. Expand the 3rd Sub-Registry Key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. Navigate to SOFTWARE > MICROSOFT. Find the OFFICE Registry Key and then right-click on the Key and delete the key.

17. In case you are not able to delete one of the above Registry Keys ignore the step and proceed.

18. Close the Registry Editor window.

We shall now clear the Temp Folder. Follow these steps:

a. Click on Start > Run.

b. Type the following command in the Run box and click on OK:%temp%

c. In the Temp folder window click on theOrganize drop-down button and click on Select All.

d. Click on the Organize drop-down button again and click onDelete.

e. In case you are not able to delete any item click onSkip and let the deletion process move to the next item.

f. Once completed close the Temp folder window.

g. Restart your computer (restart important at this stage)

19. Once this is done – restart your computer.

20. Now re-install Office Pro 2010 from your disk using your 25 character Product Key number for Office Pro 2010. In case you do not have the installation disk and the product was originally downloaded on your computer or pre-installed then we will have to download Office Pro 2010 and install it.

=========================================

The solution to my particular problem is contained in steps 15 and 16, but I post all steps in case it helps anyone else.

I think I shall take kjv611's advice for future purchase's over the internet and check the validity first - with exceptions I suppose of the likes of Amazon of sites I have previously had dealings with.

I only wish that I was a little more knowlegable so that I could assist within this fine community rather than just browsing and asking for help. I'd like to put something back

Any way, not wishing to repeat myself too many times, thanks for all your input - appreciated

Voisey

 

[voisey]

What I forgot to mention was that the problem was likely to be a remnant file from a previous uninstall that had failed to clear itself properly (I spoke to Microsoft by phone last night). By deleting all references within the registry the new install was 'clean' and therefore problem resolved.

Voisey

 

[kjv1611]

Glad you got it cleared up, and glad it was a legit seller, based on the link provided by strongm:

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/education/students/software4students/default.aspx

That'd be a good place to check as well, if you're ever unsure. Makes sense to look there, I just didn't think of it when I searched about the site where you purchased it.