Hello goombah,
Product Keys found on the internet are regularly deactivated by
Microsoft updates, and in some cases they never did work. Websites
that give away free keys, key generators and hacks largely make money
on advertising, and if they can get you to go to their website by
making up false cd-keys for a product that they do not have an actual
cd-key for, they will do so.
For Office 2003, every time a cd-key is used, the customer must
contact Microsoft to do product activation (either through the
internet or telephone), and the unique code generated includes details
on the type of computer hardware an individual has, and Microsoft will
not let two different computers be activated with the same product key
(unless you have purchased a used version, but in that case you have
to explain the situation and they decide on a case-by-case basis).
Do you actually have the CDs for Office 2003 Professional? If this is
the case and they came without a CD-Key, you have 30 days to return
them for an exchange to your retailer. You could have purchased a copy
where the CD-Key is missing and therefore the product is incomplete
and you are entitled to an exchange. If it has been over 30 days, see
this web page: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;823570&Product=off2003
If that page does not solve your problem, you most likely have to
purchase an additional license to use your software if you are unable
to locate your own product key. You can purchase a license (without
the software) here: http://www.microsoft.com/products/info/product.aspx?view=22&type=ovr&pcid=ee959bd8-14b4-4601-91a7-eea1043249fa
by clicking on the link under Additional licenses.
If you downloaded Office 2003 and are looking for a pirated cd-key or
a way to not pay for the software, be aware that Office 2003 has very
advanced copy protection mechanisms in place and few of the ones
described on the internet actually work. In addition, if you find one
that does work, you may be compromising your computer because there
could be security risks involved, or there could even be Trojan or
virus programs built in. Also, if this is your intention, please
reread the terms of service as they will explain why we researchers
cannot assist you with finding an illegal cd-key:
http://answers.google.com/answers/termsofservice.html
If you are having problems getting enough money to pay for the full
version of Office 2003, have a look at some of the different
suites/pricing options that Microsoft has here:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/editions/prodinfo/default.mspx For
example, if you are a student or teacher, you may be eligible for an
academic license which is greatly reduced in price. You may also find
a legal version at a great discount on ebay.com (just make sure you
buy from someone with a good feedback history and who guarantees that
it is a legal version.)
I hope this was the type of answer you were expecting. Please let me
know if you require any clarification and I will do my best to respond
as soon as possible.
All the best,
tisme-ga
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