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[Nickbat]

I've been getting a message, repeated every day I first start up Word, Excel, etc., saying that my copy of MS Office is not genuine and will be marked as such in x days (now down to 4!). This really gets my goat as my Office 2003 IS genuine, so there must be a bug in the validation process. It seems, from looking round the web, that I am not alone in this.

It started happening out of the blue, so I can't figure out what's causing it, other than a software update of some kind. I have tried Microsoft's "fix it" utility, but no joy. Guess I'll just have to get marked as a "pirate".

Really annoys me.

[Chris_H]

Fortunately OpenOffice IS genuine?

[Nickbat]

OK, I went to the MS site and tried again. It passed all the tests except the last one:

FAIL: Microsoft Genuine Advantage plug-ins connect with Microsoft validation servers

It then says it will guide me through the steps correct the problem:


Allow Connectivity to our server
Check network connectivity

Security software such as firewalls or proxy servers can affect network connectivity. If your computer is part of a corporate network, you should contact your network administrator to help resolve this issue. Refer to your documentation or contact the vendor for assistance configuring 3rd party software and hardware. Firewalls should be configured to allow the following HTTP Agents to connect to their servers through ports 80 and 443:

    * LegitCheck
    * MS Clearing House Default Agent

The urls these agents will be connecting to

    * mpa.one.microsoft.com
    * www.microsoft.com
    * genuine.microsoft.com
    * go.microsoft.com
    * catalog.microsoft.com

Adjust Internet Proxy Settings

If you are using a proxy server to connect to the internet, the Proxy must be configured in the Windows Control Panel for the Microsoft Genuine Advantage plug-in to work correctly. The plug-in may not work correctly if the proxy is configured through the FireFox settings. To configure the proxy setting through the Control Panel:

    * Click the Start button and select Control Panel.
    * Open Internet Options, and, on the Connections tab, click the LAN Settings button.
    * Select Use a proxy server for your LAN.
    * Configure the proxy server by entering the address and the port in the respective boxes.
    * Click OK to close the LAN settings dialog box.
    * Click OK to close the Internet Options dialog box and save the changes just made.

Sorry, but I'm lost. F*cking thing. Apparently, if I don't get it validated in the next four days, I'll lose my toolbars.

 
 

[Mr Skrunts]

I get the same error but put it down to the fact I have not yet activated .


I used my original disks on my New PC but only intend to use for testing etc, will hopefully be going to windows 7

[Nickbat]

I used WGADiag.exe from Microsoft and it's showing that I have an invalid VLK. I have the disk here and it has a product key and I paid for it. What more do they want??

I've posted the WGADiag on the MS social forum (where others have) and hopefully I'll get a response.

  

[Martin_1962]

Phone up UK support and let rip

[Nickbat]

Phone up UK support and let rip

I'm beginning to think that's the only way forward. 

[Auto Addict]

I had this a few months ago, I think I had to do an unistall then a reinstall.

Pain, as I then had to reload all the updates.

But it cured the problem.

[TheBoy]

OK, this has been a common problem, and in every case I've had to look at, its been a case of somebody incorrectly using a VLK.

Microsoft have started to pull the plug on a few, fairly well known VLKs, due to a change in the way corporates can activate their licences inside their own firewalls.

If you have rights to use free licences via a company's HUP agreements, you must pay MS the token amount (£10 approx) for your own media, with your own unique key, and use that media/key to install, not you're company's Volume versions.

[Nickbat]

OK, this has been a common problem, and in every case I've had to look at, its been a case of somebody incorrectly using a VLK.

Microsoft have started to pull the plug on a few, fairly well known VLKs, due to a change in the way corporates can activate their licences inside their own firewalls.

If you have rights to use free licences via a company's HUP agreements, you must pay MS the token amount (£10 approx) for your own media, with your own unique key, and use that media/key to install, not you're company's Volume versions.

So where does that leave me? I have the genuine disc here, with the VLK printed on the sleeve. I got it from a reputable supplier and I paid for it. And I only have one PC. 

[TheBoy]

OK, this has been a common problem, and in every case I've had to look at, its been a case of somebody incorrectly using a VLK.

Microsoft have started to pull the plug on a few, fairly well known VLKs, due to a change in the way corporates can activate their licences inside their own firewalls.

If you have rights to use free licences via a company's HUP agreements, you must pay MS the token amount (£10 approx) for your own media, with your own unique key, and use that media/key to install, not you're company's Volume versions.

So where does that leave me? I have the genuine disc here, with the VLK printed on the sleeve. I got it from a reputable supplier and I paid for it. And I only have one PC. 

If it has a VLK (and the media says Volume Licencing or Select Licencing or similar (ie, not Retail or OEM)), you need one of Microsoft's corporate licencing  agreements in place with them (Open Licencing etc), which is generally an annual fee.  Unsuitable for home use though.


Tescos had the Office 2007 Home on offer a couple of weeks back - £50, and this licences 3 PCs in the same home.



If yours is a retail version, and you are utterly sure you have not installed on other PCs, or given the key to anyone, call Microsoft, they will resolve it.  If its a volume copy, you will have to buy another.

[Nickbat]

If it has a VLK (and the media says Volume Licencing or Select Licencing or similar (ie, not Retail or OEM)), you need one of Microsoft's corporate licencing  agreements in place with them (Open Licencing etc), which is generally an annual fee.  Unsuitable for home use though.


Tescos had the Office 2007 Home on offer a couple of weeks back - £50, and this licences 3 PCs in the same home.



If yours is a retail version, and you are utterly sure you have not installed on other PCs, or given the key to anyone, call Microsoft, they will resolve it.  If its a volume copy, you will have to buy another.

It's an OEM disk which I bought along with a case, motherboard and HDD (IIRC), about five years ago.

[Nickbat]

Tesco's price for Home & Student edition is around £97, reduced by £30 if you buy a PC from them.

I wouldn't mind upgrading to Office 2007. I came across this link and they have Office 2007 Pro for £89.95, on offer only until today. Does it look pukka to you guys and girls?

http://www.bigsoftsale.com/

[Mr Skrunts]

Tesco's price for Home & Student edition is around £97, reduced by £30 if you buy a PC from them.

I wouldn't mind upgrading to Office 2007. I came across this link and they have Office 2007 Pro for £89.95, on offer only until today. Does it look pukka to you guys and girls?

http://www.bigsoftsale.com/

It's a dead link matey. :-/

[Nickbat]

Tesco's price for Home & Student edition is around £97, reduced by £30 if you buy a PC from them.

I wouldn't mind upgrading to Office 2007. I came across this link and they have Office 2007 Pro for £89.95, on offer only until today. Does it look pukka to you guys and girls?

http://www.bigsoftsale.com/

It's a dead link matey. :-/

Yes, it seems to have died since I originally posted it. In fact I went back there by double-clicking the link in my post juts an hour ago.

Actually, I've been thinking that the MS Office Pro is NOT the way to go as it comes only with a single licence. Home & student would be more appropriate, given that the kids will need to do homework on PCs and I aim to buy another machine quite soon. 

But, then, Open Office is getting some good reviews...and it's free.

Hmm. :-/