Greetings folks,

Yes, another computer sob-story, sorry, I have the worst luck with computers. I will try and make this as painless as possible.

I have a 2 y/o Gateway laptop, was working fine until about 2 weeks ago, had drive froze, computer died. I replaced the hard drive and reloaded XP to the computer and it currently works fine.

However...I no longer have Microsoft Office on it now. I located ALL of the disks I was issued when I bought the computer new.

They include: OS Disk, Applications and Drivers (2 disks), Microsoft Works 8, Nero 6 suite, and Power DVD.

I use Word, Publisher and PowerPoint very often, and cant do without them.

I contacted Gateway and they tell me I was sent a disk and I clearly do not have one, I am a very organzied person, borderline OCD, LOL, I do NOT have this disk(s). Gateway will not send me another one, even thought my laptop is still under warranty.

Is there any way to get Office back on my computer with paying $500 for a new software package?

Thanks as always in advance.

Regards,

pgh_medic

 

Ouch! Is there any record of a License Key in your Gateway paperwork? Did you register the software with Microsoft? If you did, maybe you can try contacting them for replacement media.

Alternatively, you could go this route: http://www.openoffice.org/

Good luck!

 

That sucks.

They absolutely should have sent you a Microsoft office disc just for this type of situation.

If you say they did not give you the disc and their records say they did, you will have a real uphill struggle convicing them to pony one up now.

Besides pestering Gateway until they cave in, I'm not sure what else you could do (legally) besides buy a copy.

 

Because you have Works, you are eligible for the upgrade version. Also another option is Corel Wordperfect. Because of Works, you are eligible for the upgrade for that also. You can save in Word, Excel, and PDF formats with that, and it is far more flexible and easier to use.

 

After nearly an hour batlle with Gateway on the phone they NOW deny sending me a copy of Office. They also deny that they instaled it on my laptop....

How it was on there originally....who knows.

Gateway sucks, their customer service was deplorable. The representatives I spoke with contradicted one another several times...

Microsoft was no help either.

Buyer beware for Gateway, I will NEVER purchase another gateway computer.

Kingfish I am interested in the upgrade option, is that something I can buy at Best Buy or something?

The programs I need are: Word, PowerPoint and Publisher.

Or is someone willing to hook a brother up with a copy they might have...I can make it worth your while!!

:-)

 

To get those exact modules, you need Office Small Business 2003 or 2007.

http://www.dirtcheapsoftware.com/msof03s.html

That's the best I can find which will still be legal. Pirating Office 2K3 or 2K7 can be a pain due to required product activation.

 

i would go onto limewire and download it free

 

You can get the upgrade at Best Buy, Newegg, etc. Just look on the MS site to verify that you are eligible for the upgrade. I know it is no problem with the Office standard edition, but if you have something more extensive, then you may not be eligible.

PS, I just checked the MS site, (I suggest you do the same just to verify), and the Office 2007 Small Business edition has this listed for eligibility for the upgrade.


Price is $279. You may be able to gt it cheaper at Newegg. You may also be able to find an upgrade edition of an older version at places like Amazon.


PPS - Try Dell some time. Their customer support is even worse.

 

x2 - if you can't come up with it off lime (which you will / can) I just may be able to help. Try lime first though

 

Kingfish - the link I posted is for 2003 Small Business unrestricted OEM for $188.

Have fun activating a Limewire copy and getting it to pass genuine software validation - without that you can't get updates.

 

search on there any they come with unlock, usually all 1's

 

Saw that, I was just listing what is on the MS site. Also that was for 2003, I looked at the 2007 version. I personally don't like OEM as you can have problems with getting updates and activation, especially if you have to install more than once.
At Newegg, you can get the Office 2007 Small business upgrade retail version for $244.

 

Activation and updates on OEM are not a problem as long as you are reinstalling on the same system. If that Gateway is 2 years old and allegedly came with Office, it's going to be 2003 anyway. Hell, if it weren't for the requirement for Publisher, an even older version such as 2000 or XP would work and those are getting REALLY cheap. In fact, for just a Word, Excel, and Powerpoint equivalent that's M$-compatible, the free OpenOffice will do that. If it weren't for the need to be Publisher-compatible, there are free desktop publishing apps out there too.

What about just using Open Office and buying a standalone version of Publisher? Overstock.com has Publisher 2003 for 60 bucks.