Windows XP How do I replace a lost Office CD if not in US / Canada

D

dilemma

Joined
Feb 6, 2007
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
Hi all

I'm sure I'm being dense, but I can't work out how to replace a lost CD-Rom - every link I follow leads back to a Microsoft page that only tells you what to do if you are US or Canadian users. Can anyone tell me how to get a replacement CD-Rom if you are in the UK?

I'm after the Office 2003 Small Business Edition, with Business Contact Manager. My housemate has managed to mangle my Outlook by accidentally downloading some iTunes add-in for Business Contact Manager in Outlook (?!) - Outlook is now completely screwed and won't open, just errors and then fails to open in Safe mode and gets stuck in a loop trying to open. I have downloaded the Business Contact Manager service pack, in the hope that would sort it, but now it can't do anything until I put the CD in ... & although I've checked every box I can (I've just moved house) I cannot find it anywhere.

Any ideas?!

Thank you!
 
Here's the page you'll need:

http://www.microsoft.com/uk/licensing/faq/default.mspx

It says:

If my system crashes and I have no back-up, what do I do?



If you're able to reboot and are running Windows XP, you can restore the system to its previous state using the System Restore feature. Otherwise, reinstall the operating system using the CD supplied by your supplier.

If you bought your PC with pre-installed software from one of the large OEMs such as Dell, HP, or Research Machines, they may have supplied a locked recovery CD or a back-up copy of the operating system on a partitioned section of your hard disk. If not, or if you've lost the CD, please contact them for help.

If you bought from any other PC reseller or manufacturer, they will have supplied a CD with a Microsoft operating system. If you don't have a recovery CD, contact the manufacturer, as this may show that your system is not legally licensed. You can check whether your software is genuine on our How to Tell website.

If you've lost your recovery CD or Microsoft operating system CD, you may have to buy a replacement operating system.
Click to expand...

So it doesn't look like they'll replace it unfortunately. I'd try the first suggestion Microsoft make and try to run system restore (an option under "help and support" on the start menu).
 
You should be able to buy a media kit from somewhere. For instance we use Insight to purchase software/hardware.

There about £20. So long as your licensed your fine ;)
 
Ian Cunningham said:
Here's the page you'll need:

... I'd try the first suggestion Microsoft make and try to run system restore (an option under "help and support" on the start menu).
Click to expand...

Thank you for replying. Sorry to not grasp this, but it's not my operating system that I'm having a problem with is it? It's just the Office software, and even then it's only Outlook. Surely, since I have a legal copy and Microsoft check your machine to see it's a legal copy before you can download the Service Pack for Office, there shouldn't be a problem?

Presumably if I can get my key for my copy, I can use someone else's CD to complete the Service Pack installation? I don't even need to re-install the software at this point, I just need to finish the Service Pack installation process???

Sorry, I know it's annoying / frustrating trying to provide support to someone who doesn't quite grasp it all!
 
mudfrog said:
You should be able to buy a media kit from somewhere. For instance we use Insight to purchase software/hardware.

There about £20. So long as your licensed your fine ;)
Click to expand...

Ermmm - what is a media kit?! Could you explain this a little bit more for me?

Thank you!
 
dilemma said:
Thank you for replying. Sorry to not grasp this, but it's not my operating system that I'm having a problem with is it? It's just the Office software, and even then it's only Outlook. Surely, since I have a legal copy and Microsoft check your machine to see it's a legal copy before you can download the Service Pack for Office, there shouldn't be a problem?

Presumably if I can get my key for my copy, I can use someone else's CD to complete the Service Pack installation? I don't even need to re-install the software at this point, I just need to finish the Service Pack installation process???

Sorry, I know it's annoying / frustrating trying to provide support to someone who doesn't quite grasp it all!
Click to expand...

It isn't your OS that is at fault, but system restore can roll back pretty much anything to a previous date. Try this guide and see if you can roll back to the date before the iTunes update was installed (you will lose other things installed after this date too, but they can be re-installed).

http://www.windowsxphome.windowsreinstall.com/howto/lauchsystemrestore.htm

(Usual disclaimer here about making sure you have backups etc... just in case!).
 
dilemma said:
Ermmm - what is a media kit?! Could you explain this a little bit more for me?

Thank you!
Click to expand...

A Media kit is just a cd with the installer for the software on. You don't need a key to install it so as long as your licensed your away.

Saves you the problem of putting in a key everytime.
 
Ian Cunningham said:
It isn't your OS that is at fault, but system restore can roll back pretty much anything to a previous date...

(Usual disclaimer here about making sure you have backups etc... just in case!).
Click to expand...

OK, talking about backups - can I just check that if I put my .pst file onto a USB key that's good enough for a backup for Outlook? I have a DVD-recorder in my laptop but my only experience of recording was trying to put photos on a DVD for my brother to watch on his tv via his DVD player, and it didn't seem to work that well (conflict between + and - or something) so I'm reluctant to shove it on DVD and find I then can't get at it again ... or am I being silly? Presumably if it records onto DVD ok then I can get it off the DVD again later?!
 
Yeah the .pst file holds all messages and contacts etc... but if you have any rules setup these are stored elsewhere within Application data. Have a search for .rwz files as these will be the rules.

Have you got a usb stick that you could chuck it on. Just if your a bit unsure of burning it to dvd it could be an alternative.
 
Last edited:
Ian & Mudfrog

Thank you both very much. Thanks to your info, I backed up my stuff (and reminded myself why I need to do this regularly) and then did a system restore to a point very close to when the incident happened - and Outlook now opens up fine and everything seems to be working as expected.

Thank you both for replying so quickly, and for responding so clearly to my very different level of knowledge to a point where I could resolve this quickly and securely.

I nominate you for every award possible!

Thank you!

Emma
 
Back
Top