Trouble With MS Genuine Office Validation

Julie188 writes "Here's another little gotcha with Microsoft license validation, discovered by security and PowerShell expert Tyson Kopczynski. The Microsoft Office 2007 add-on site refuses to download legitimate add-ons for Office 2007 when a legitimate — but not yet activated — additional Microsoft product is installed on the computer. In Kopczynski's case, the product was Visio. He writes: 'Let's back this license train up and look at why this picture is wrong: 1. I have a valid copy of Office 2007. 2. The Visio installation only failed the validation because I haven't activated it. 3. Microsoft has presented me with a page to buy Office, which I have a valid copy of... Dear Microsoft, When used incorrectly and in direct conflict of something that you are promoting, DRM sucks! By making the usage of your software a hassle, you risk further pushing more users of your applications to other solutions."

Re:What's the issue exactly?

[dartboard]

Office is activated, it's Visio that's not activated. Visio's non-activation is taking down the entire system.

Re:What's the issue exactly?

[robbarrett]

Forgive my ignorance but I don't really understand the problem here. Why not just activate Office? You can do it over the internet or by a toll free phone call. You can only open Office apps so many times before you must activate it, so why delay?

The issue is that "activate" means "buy" -- i.e. to convert a trial/downloaded/whatever copy to a validated, purchased copy.

This exact same thing happened to me just yesterday. My laptop came with a full trial copy of Office. I purchased a copy of Office Standard (only a few of the apps) and tried to use my key to validate my pre-installed copy (thinking it would only validate the apps I had purchased). But it didn't work so I installed my Office Standard and validated it with my key.

Then I tried to get the export-to-PDF add-in from the Microsoft site but it proclaimed that only one copy of Office on my computer was validated so I couldn't update the other. Net result -- un-install one; un-install the other; re-install Office Standard; back in business.

What a stupid pain.

This is strange

[Evets]

I have a fresh Office 2K7 installation and also a Visio 2K7. Visio is not activated yet. I was still able to validate and install the PDF plugin two days ago without a problem.

Re:A non-issue

[rnswebx]

Please read the summary again, and maybe even (gasp!) the story? He has activated his other Office components, save Visio. The problem isn't that he can't update Visio because it's not activated, which would be a non-issue. The problem is that he can't activate all of the other Office components that are activated. You're arguing that should be the case?

He should be able to update his activated Office apps, but he can't because Visio isn't activated. Microsoft is to blame when you can't update your registered and activated applications.

Re:What's the issue exactly?

[GreyPoopon]

Office validation should be concerned about office & not anything else.

I actually agree with you, but note that Visio is actually considered part of the MS Office Suite. It comes default as part of one of the more expensive "editions", but most people buy it as an add-on to a cheaper package. So, I can see why the validation routine might gack when one component of office is not activated, but that definitely doesn't make it right. And it definitely shouldn't take him to an offer to buy Office.

Re:What's the issue exactly?

[infinihertz]

It's "part of Office," but as far as I've been told in getting a license at work, it's not even part of Office 2007 Professional or Ultimate. The 2007 version is allegedly sold only stand-alone. If that's not true I'd appreciate being corrected.

Re:What's the issue exactly?

[DoofusOfDeath]

Then I tried to get the export-to-PDF add-in from the Microsoft site

Hey, just FYI: OpenOffice on Linux (and maybe Windows - I don't know) can easily export to PDF. So if you really need that functionality right now, you can use OpenOffice to convert your document from Word to PDF.

Re:Ah yes....

[Technician]

most stable MS OS ever... oh, the list just goes on....

The endless search for drivers for USB thumb drives, etc.

My Thinkpad T21 came with Windows 2000. I recently upgraded to Ubuntu Dapper Drake. I have yet needed a driver. My Cannon flatbed scanner works, all my printers work. No driver downloads were needed. Right now I'm sitting in the waiting area of a tire shop using their wireless. Even my D-Link wireless card works.

Re:What's the issue exactly?

[GreyPoopon]

The 2007 version is allegedly sold only stand-alone. If that's not true I'd appreciate being corrected.

No, it's you that gets to correct me. I had thought it was bundled in both the Enterprise and Ultimate editions, but I see on Microsoft's site that I was flat out wrong. I'll double-check my facts next time. Well, at least I was right about it being "part of Office".

Microsoft Not a Monopoly Here; Use Another Vendor

[Anonymous Coward]

If you don't like a product or service of some vendor; don't buy it.

Visio Alternatives [osalt.com]

Microsoft Office Alternatives [osalt.com]

Next question?

Re:What's the issue exactly?

[Anonymous Coward]

Here, I'll explain why Visio not being activated prevents you from installing Office add-ons in one sentence:

Visio is part of Office. [microsoft.com]

Let me know if you need any other facts. Otherwise, you are free to continue making false claims (Not just the parent, pretty much all of /.).