Read this article (expand the "How do I activate my Microsoft Office programs?" section). Activating by telephone is the way to correct this When you finally get to speak to a Microsoft rep, explain your situation. MS is usually very accommodating in these types of situations. Good Luck.

Cjd27,

Why not go to www.openoffice.org.  Download the latest version of Open 0ffice.  It's free, and it's compatible with MS Office 2007.

Tony

Thanks Rebel19, found telephone numbers and actualy spoke to a rep, unfortunatley when dell supply software it is a cheapscate ( OEM ) version and you can only use it on computer it was supplied with, so they could not help, spoke to dell, they are not interested, it is my problem so I have to buy a proper version, another £100.

regards

chris

Yes, an OEM version (any OEM - not just Dell) of Office is only licensed for the one machine. You mentioned that you had a 3 user version, so I assumed that you had the retail version. I'm surprised that you were able to install it on your desktop.

It may be different with teh Student version of Office, but it has always been my understanding (and experience) that Dell sells the standard retail version of MS Office with its computers.  I've had situations when working tech support where I've had to have customers contact MS to get a new key for Office (multiple reinstalls, motherboard replacement, etc) and it has always been a simple matter of them calling in and getting the new product key.  Those were not Student versions, however, so that might make a difference.

Larry,

I have several Dell computers (four of them purchased with Office). In every instance, the version of Office supplied was an OEM (Dell branded) version. The license (and it is the standard MS license) states that an OEM version is licensed for the ONE machine only. I tried to install a Dell version of MS Office 2007 on a second (laptop) computer and the on-line activation failed. The retail version allows installation on "one primary device" and "one portable device",but when I talked to an MS rep to try and obtain a product key for this second installation, I was refused because it was an OEM version. There have been several posts in the past regarding this issue for both the Student versions and the full versions.