migrating MS Office to a new T43p - some questions

[Alejandro Audisio]

The more I think of this the more I conclude that its a dumb question... but Im gonna ask it anyways...

I bought a licence of MS Office Suite 2003 with my old T30 when I bought it back in January of 2003. As the software came as a factory pre-install on my HDD, I did get a few CDs that I think are "recovery" discs. So then... now that Im going to buy a T43p with only Windows XP Pro installed on it... am I correct in assuming that I will be able to reinstall my entire Office Suite on my new computer...? I guess my doubt is related to the fact that the new HDD will of course not have any portion of the MS Office preinstalled. Will this be a problem?

Thanks for any advice or insight.

Cheers,
Alejandro

[basketb]

There are usually two issues involved with commercial software. One is the license or license key and the other is the physical media to install the software (which need not be a CD but could be a download). One without the other doesn't do you any good. It seems you have the license and need to get a hold of the media somehow.
But the licensing may also be tricky on its own; e.g., it could be that it is valid only for the computer it was originally installed on (I am not saying this is the case here, I'm just saying it could be as I don't know the licensing terms of the MS Office suite that came with your T30).

[jdhurst]

If the Office suite was pre-installed, then the chances are better than 9 out of 10 that your Office is an OEM version and therefore cannot be legally transported to a new machine. The license lives and dies with the machine. .... JDH

[Alejandro Audisio]

Thanks for the replies....

JD-- do you know how I can check my Office software to confirm if its a OEM version.... would there be something to look out for in the About MS Office tab or similar...?

Thanks.

[jdhurst]

Look in Help -> About (varies from version to version). In there (look around) is the license key. If there is OEM buried in the key, it is OEM software.

So, on my box, when I do "Help About" for Windows Vista, OEM is in the product key. In Office (I purchased it Retail), there is no OEM.

When you call Microsoft for help, if OEM is in the license, they refer you back to the Manufacturer. Otherwise, they will give you help.

Editorial comment. There is not a hardware manufacturer in the entire universe that knows anything about Windows or about Office. And 100% will NOT even try to help you. Talk about an oxymoron.

.... JDH

[Alejandro Audisio]

JD.... I cant seem to read OEM in any part of the "about" window... and I also cant find the product key information... the closest thing I have is a Product ID number, which is inside a box that reads "this product is licensed to". Is the Product ID the same as the Product key you are mentioning...?

If so, the product ID number that I have has a gazillion digits... but no mention of OEM.... does this mean I have a retail version...?

When I purchased it, I remember having to pay a relevant amount of $$$, but I cant remember if it was OEM or not...

Thanks for you patience with my dumb questions...

[dsvochak]

I believe JD's reference to "product key" should have read "product id". The "product key" is what must be entered when installing the software.

You wouldn't be able to install on the T43p without the installation files (on CD or downloaded) and the product key.

[jdhurst]

I have not seen an OEM version of Office (they DO exist), so I was making an assumption that appears to be be incorrrect. I don't know, then, how you can determine if your version is OEM. Very easy with the OS, as I noted. ... JDH

[dsvochak]

have not seen an OEM version of Office (they DO exist), so I was making an assumption that appears to be be incorrrect. I don't know, then, how you can determine if your version is OEM. Very easy with the OS, as I noted. ... JDH

I guess I wasn't 100% clear. The assumption was correct. I was trying to distinguish the "Product ID", which shows up after install, from the "Product Key" on the COA.

The suggestion (Help->About->Product ID) is correct and OEM versions will have OEM in the Product ID.

[Alejandro Audisio]

Gentlemen, thank you both for the additional info... I guess its safe to conclude I do not have an OEM version of Office. I now need to find the CDs that I must have stored somewhere to be completely sure...