[Spridgets] Microsoft software question - no LBC

Mon Jan 27 06:23:43 MST 2025

Daniel,

For people like that I always advise them to go to Best Buy and get a
Chromebook.  Inexpensive, easy to use, long battery life, and access to all
the Google apps.  You can usually find one on sale for 200-300 dollars.  If
she doesn't like it you can return it in 15 days.  She would need a Google
(gmail) account, but that's easy and free to set up. I have never had
somebody not thank me for pointing them in that direction.

On Mon, Jan 27, 2025 at 5:51 AM Weslake1330 via Spridgets <
spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:

> Thanks Ron,
>
> I'll give that a try and if not I'll probably persuade her to buy software
> - though she doesn't really us it enough to justify the outlay.  She is
> retired and living off a mixture of pension and savings so not flush with
> money and has some savings for her really old age.
>
> Regards
>
> Daniel
>
> On Sun, 26 Jan 2025 at 21:04, Ron Soave <soavero at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> Daniel! So great to hear from you. I almost never check this email and
>> glad I did. I asked AI for help. Here is the response:
>>
>>         1.      Incompatibility with Windows 11:
>>       •   Office 2010 is quite old and may have compatibility issues with
>> Windows 11. Some features, including activation processes, might not work
>> correctly on the newer OS.
>>         2.      Internet Activation Issues:
>>       •   Sometimes, the software may not connect to Microsoft’s
>> activation servers, which could be causing the missing activation code
>> issue.
>>         3.      Key Already in Use:
>>       •   If the Office 2010 license was used multiple times on other
>> machines, it might have reached its activation limit, preventing a new code
>> generation.
>>         4.      Installation of Different Versions:
>>       •   Since you installed the 32-bit version, if the original key was
>> tied to a 64-bit installation, it might be causing validation problems.
>>
>> Potential Solutions:
>>
>>         1.      Try the Office Activation Troubleshooter:
>>       •   Microsoft provides a troubleshooter that can diagnose and fix
>> activation issues. Try running it from the Control Panel under
>> “Troubleshooting” > “Programs.”
>>         2.      Manual Phone Activation (Alternative Method):
>>       •   If the software isn’t generating an activation code
>> automatically, try running the command prompt as an administrator and using
>> the following command to force manual activation:
>>
>> cscript "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14\OSPP.VBS" /act
>>
>> This might help initiate the process and generate a code.
>>
>>         3.      Use the “Change Product Key” Option:
>>       •   Go to “File” > “Help” > “Change Product Key” in Office and
>> enter the key manually to see if it prompts an activation dialog.
>>         4.      Reinstall Office 2010:
>>       •   If the original installation was corrupted or missing key
>> components, uninstalling and reinstalling (if you can find the 64-bit
>> version) might resolve the issue.
>>         5.      Contacting Microsoft Support (Persistence Needed):
>>       •   Although it may take time, contacting Microsoft support and
>> explaining that the activation wizard is not providing an installation ID
>> might help. Sometimes, they can manually provide activation assistance.
>>
>> Long-Term Solution:
>>
>> If all else fails and activation proves to be a dead end, consider
>> alternatives such as:
>>
>>    •   Microsoft 365 Personal Subscription: Affordable with the latest
>> features.
>>    •   LibreOffice or OpenOffice: Free alternatives that can handle basic
>> Office tasks.
>>    •   Discounted Office 2021 Perpetual License: If a newer version is
>> needed but without a subscription.
>>
>> If you think she’ll resist purchasing new software, it might be time for
>> a gentle push to upgrade or switch to free alternatives that meet her needs.
>>
>>
>> Ron Soave
>>
>> > On Jan 25, 2025, at 3:54 PM, Weslake1330 via Spridgets <
>> spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:
>> >
>> > List,
>> >
>> > Unlike myself, my wife never spends any money on anything computer
>> related and waits for me to resolve her problems....
>> >
>> > Currently she has a very nice Microsoft SurfacePro laptop I got her and
>> it is running W11.  Her old PC ran W1O and Home Office 2010 that was family
>> software (I think you could have 4 users on it).  I installed Office 2010
>> ok but the 32 bit version because one of my daughters has or has lost the
>> 64 bit disc and isn't owning up to it.
>> >
>> > So far so good except I can't activate the software because it does not
>> generate an activation code which means you can't activate it by phone
>> either.  After spending some time on hold to MS I gave up and thought I
>> would ask the list instead.
>> >
>> > The solution of course is for her to 'find' the money for a more recent
>> copy of office just like I had to for myself, this doesn't seem very likely
>> in the near future.  So any ideas why the software won't generate an
>> activation code and would spending time on a long call to Microsoft simply
>> be a waste of my time (yes, she isn't good with this kind of phone call)?
>> >
>> > Thanks and probably better than googling for an answer again and if the
>> list draws a blank I'll tell him to start saving up and to stop wasting
>> money on stuff she doesn't need . ..
>>
>> ------------------------
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-- 

Jim Ryan

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