Walker RS,

In the short term, download and run the Belarc Advisor from here. It will display the product key for Office. For a permanent solution contact Dell and request a copy of Office which you should have received with the computer. See this.

thanks. I already tried the belarc advisor that you mentioned in a previous post, but it didnt give the CD key, only the version number. I'll try to get in contact with a dell support person. Thanks.

Walker RS,

Perhaps Office 2003 was modified. Belarc Advisor displays the Software License information for Office XP SBE on my system. Software Licenses are displayed above Software Versions.

---

@Denny Denham wrote:
Walker RS,

Perhaps Office 2003 was modified. Belarc Advisor displays the Software License information for Office XP SBE on my system. Software Licenses are displayed above Software Versions.

On a brand new install, prior to activation, I don't think any key is in there.

I was talked into re-installing windows by Dell support and ever since, I have not been able to use my Office products because there is was no product key (or cd or anything) included in the original shipment. The software was (is) preinstalled -- but now un-usable. I've sent three followup emails to the support folks and gotten no response. There is an 800 number on the Microsoft site to address this problem but it is a fee-based number. Do I really need to do this. Is Dell really not going to help, although I bought this software via Deall with my system?

AKelsey,

If you did not receive the CDs for the preinstalled Microsoft Office you should contact Dell to get a set. According to this post they should have been included with the computer. If you reinstalled Windows the preinstalled Office should not remain on your system unless you did a repair reinstall. If you did that, Dell cannot provide the Product ID of the version of Office you presently have. The only thing Dell can do for you is provide a set of CDs. Calling Microsoft will do nothing for you as they do not provide support for OEM installations of their software.

Reinstalling Windows would not stop Office from working. Apparently, someone at Dell had you do a system restore. If so, your PC was cleaned of any files or programs that were installed. There is a number for Microsoft, but they will probably tell you that, since this is OEM software, you'll have ot deal with Dell.

I'm surprised someone at Dell has not helped. I was always under the impression they could provide you with a key for Office. Click < here > and call the number listed for Microsoft and tell them of your problem. It is toll free.

Thanks for the responses.

I was able to 'chat' with a Dell support person today who looked up the record of my previous support calls and immediately concluded that I should be sent a CD. I am hoping this occurs and solves the problem.