Netbook 'Product Key' not working. HELP, Mr Gates does NOT want me on his doorstep!

[Mouseface]

Help.

Bought a new Netbook as that's all I need to hook up to the web. It's great.

However, when I open ANY Microsoft Office application, word, excel etc, a screen opens and asks for a 'Product Key'

Fine. The 'Product Key' is on a label on the bottom of the Netbook. I've typed it in again and again.

It doesn't work. It says it's incorrect, not invalid or expired, incorrect.

I can only use word, office etc for up to 25 times before it stops working acccording to the blurb...... I know it's not a 'trial pack' too, confirmed following instructions from Microsoft's website.

I have verifyed that my Windows Home & Student 2007 is genuine following instructions from Microsoft too.

That's where the help ends. I have asked for a number to call in the UK - nope.

Has anyone had this happen to them? How did you fix it?

PLEASE SAVE ME THE COST OF A FLIGHT TO MR GATES!!!!!

Maybe you should take this into Geeky Stuff. I have always got a reply quickly.

You'll have a product key on the box of the Windows software. It's that one you need.

Deste - it's in Geeky stuff? Isn't it?

Belly36 - no champers and chocs I'm affraid.

The software is pre-installed. Sorry, maybe should've said.

The only 'Product Key' anywhere is on the bottom of the Netbook.

It is incorrect.

I have tried to enter every single number on the box, Netbook, in the instruction manual and am now thinking that my moblie number would have more chance of being correct.

But thank you for trying.

I think you will find that the product key on the sticker on the bottom of the machine is for Windows (presumably XP).

A number of basic applications are included with Windows, mainly internet applications such as Internet Explorer, Windows Live Mail and Windows Live Messenger, as well as basic media applications.

But if you have Word, Excel, Powerpoint or other Office applications loaded on your machine they almost certainly are licensed for only a time-limited trial. You are being asked for a product key because the trial has expired. You say that you have verified that it is not a 'trial pack' - how have you done that?

Where did you buy the netbook, can you go back to them?

Can't drink champers at the mo anyway...

It does sound like you have the 60 day trial version of Office that comes pre-installed on most laptops / pcs now.

Have you got any payment receipt for Office Student 2007? Office 2007 Student Licensing - if I click the Ultimate Steal option on that, I get details for Office Academic 2010.

Aw, Belly..... are you pg? Do you really want that flake? Happy to send

Right, sorry, been checking for you mranchovy

Here goes.........

I followed instruction from MS's own website/help centre. Pha, useless unless you are in the USA but still......

They asked me to open excel for eg. Then go to 'options', then click on 'resources' and then 'about MS excel'.

MS say that if the word 'trial' is mentioned ANYWHERE after the name of the programme - so Microsoft Excel 2007 Trial - should be displayed.

It's not.

I've checked word the same way but it's the same.

No mention of the word 'trial'

I do see what you mean though. Makes sense.

Oh, I'm afraid it was a special offer purchse from Argos.

No great loss

Open Office is better anyway.

All of you wonderful techno whizzs.

It's this one.

It says in BIG fuck off letters (trial)

I am so sorry for wasting your time.

Clearly, the time ran out before we had even bought it and turned it on.

Again, so sorry for posting without checking.

dont worry mouseface .. its not always clear

like I say .. be nice to a friend with a licence

So go and download OpenOffice and try that instead.

If you are a student and you need Microsoft Office, then get the education version via sites like Software4Students.

As that Argos link says Anti-Virus was also a trial, if you use Internet Banking your bank may provide Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware for free. See your online banking for details.

if you are like me and you need the product key to windows xp but not office, go to www.magicaljellybean.com and they have free jobby you can download which will find it for you. my netbook had a totally different product key to what was on the sticker. And it was Acer tech support that advised me to try the site.

and deffo download open office. is tres good.

nannynick

Thank you. Gawd I wish I was a student!

I will ask the lovely man next door who is a complete techno genius and does stuff? like this for a living when he gets back off hols.

Now I know it's not me......

He may or may not (your Honour) have a disc I can 'borrow'

Ok, Open Office it is then.

Will give it a whirl.

No doubt be back here when I stumble installing that!

I would complain to Argos if I were you. You haven't been given the trial as advertised.

No, not pregnant, BFing. Have had the odd sneaky glass of wine though

I use open office, not had any problems with it.

Belly - thanks for your help!

Sorry, thought it would be one or the other and the odd glass of vino does no harm, if anything I'm sure it helps to keep your sanity!

Can't help but as soon as I saw your title I thought of this: www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7ey2_Qntqk