I reloaded my Dell Dimension 4700 using the Dell PC Restore by Symantec, this turned it back to being just the way it was when it arrived at my house. My question is that the Microsoft Office 2003 Small Business Edition was loaded on there but it asks me for the Product Key when I go to use it. Is there a way to retrieve the correct product key without having my copy of the original CD or the certificate of authenticity?

• Microsoft Office 2003 Small Business
• Microsoft Small Business 2003 Download

Shop for the Microsoft Office Small Business 2003 suite at My Choice Software for the best price and fastest shipping. Most of the new features in this fall's Microsoft Office 2003 are unabashedly aimed at the enterprise, from back-end database integration to corporate workgroup.

I have used the belarc tool as well as the magicaljellybean one, neither one of them provide me the key for Microsoft Office on that computer. Any help someone can provide would be great. Patrick, If that is the way you want to word it then yes. I am not wanting to circumvent or do anything unethical. It is a legal copy of Microsoft Office and it was purchased by me with the computer.

I just cannot locate my copy of the cd since moving recently. I am looking for it and will find it but in the mean time I wondered if there was a way for me to get the information so that I could use the software as soon as possible. Sorry if you felt that I am trying to persuade someone for something that is unethical. I was merely looking for an easy way out. My next move was to try and call Microsoft since the software has been registered to me previously I am wondering if they can help me retrieve it. Thanks for your feedback. First read this Now my bit Does asking for the Product key mean its illegal?

Microsoft Office 2003 Small Business

You still need the serial number and not sure but do you also need to activate this version? I thought this was the case for all 2003 versions. Therefore an invalid Product Key/Serial number combination will fail activation. Product key is merely a registry entry, I just checked the web how illegal it can be - this article explains a bit more If this is for installation on another computer, I think u need to buy a new licence.

Microsoft Small Business 2003 Download

There are other similar requests here in EE which have been answered, so Im not so sure if this is a hack or not. Also, the MS website mentions how to get it - With regards to the tools, perhaps SBS stores a different key/encryption registry entry therefore the 2 tools u used don't work. If would recommend you contacting Microsoft , like matthewspatrick says if you have no luck with the other tools mentioned in the links The support website has contact details also. Sorry to read of your problem. I have a similar issue a few years ago when my laptop hard drive failed. I had to contact Microsoft & explain the problem. They were very understanding & relayed that they allowed customers to obtain the Product Key & go through the registration process.

twice. before further questions were asked & proof was required. They did not ask for any further evidence of ownership. Sometimes they do listen & do appear human after all, hence my suggestion is also to try Microsoft first. Dell may also be able to help if you still have your original purchase invoice/paperwork to refer to. Well surprisingly enough I just kept digging for my software and finally found.

As I suspected it was still in a box from when I recently moved. I was just looking for the lazy way out. I did call Microsoft and their first immediate response was they could not help. I did explain it was registered and activated with my pc and my information and I could verify anything they needed. They did refer me to another dept. Which happened to be closed today. Instead of messing around anymore and trying to find the easy way out, I just started opening boxes.

I think what I will do is split the 500 points evenly between all five people that did respond. I really did not get an answer but then again Microsoft could have possibly helped. Thanks for trying. Sorry if any of you thought I was trying to do something unethical, I was really just looking for the easy way out. Have a great day. I might actually register now.

Considering the number of times I've lost product keys and other things. Oh, since you've given me points though, let me try and.actually. earn them. This is someting I've done as I have a tendency to lose things.

I used a password keeper (since I didn't use it for passwords) for other inportant things. Like product registry numbers etc. These were data items I didn't quite feel comfortable keeping in a notepad file or some other forma of data storage, but weren't so important that I didn't feel comfortable keeping them on my computer or burning them onto cd as long as they were password protected.

Now, you may not be planning to move again, or ever have these problems, but i for one know that i need a backup system or two because i have slight organization issues. So, just something to think about. Glad everything worked out. Cheers, lovewithnoface.