Front page intrusion

[pollyo]

All of a sudden I have to open Office attachments 3 times to get them, and I am constantly told that I don't have a legal copy of office- and that automatic updates failed- which is not true- I have the copy that the computer came installed with-registered to me. It seems that windows wants to launch Frontpage every time I want to get into it. Anybody know how to get rid of this? Is there freeware to check out the legality of installed applications?
Thanks

[MidnightCowboy]

I think the freeware you need is called Linux..... but seriously have you considered Open Office? Many argue (me included) that this is better than the Microsoft offering anyway and so long as you don't allow the Java scheduled update on install (who want's that thing using the internet day & night?) then it's a great combination of programs.

[chris.p]

Perhaps look through your CDs that came with the PC. See if there's an MS Office CD or a backup CD. Save all your data very carefully, then run the backup CD and see what the options are.

Contact the PC vendor and ask for documentation on the Office suite. If it is all legit then probably the install is an OEM one, meaning that your contract is with the PC dealer not MS. So the dealer needs to sort it out or give you advice.

Probably it's out of warranty though so perhaps you could speak to them nicely and ask what they suggest.

Also see if there is a forum for owners of that PC / laptop, and/or for customers of that dealer.

The outlook isn't good but there may be a way to get out from under, depending on how much time you're willing to put into fixing it. In the meantime, if you install OpenOffice as MC has suggested, it does handle all those files, so you could carry on working. You might decide that you are happy to say goodbye to Mr Gates's product after that, you never know.

It depends on the cost v aggravation issue no doubt. See what the cost of a new MS Office suite is

[christoph]

Originally Posted by pollyo

All of a sudden I have to open Office attachments 3 times to get them, and I am constantly told that I don't have a legal copy of office- and that automatic updates failed- which is not true-

Is it possible, that you have used a 60-day-evaluation copy of this incredibly expensive office suite? I cannot really figure out, what's happening, but my first notebook came with an activated eval copy of MS2OO3.

Originally Posted by pollyo

I have the copy that the computer came installed with-registered to me. It seems that windows wants to launch Frontpage every time I want to get into it. Anybody know how to get rid of this?Thanks

Do you want to say, that every time you log into your system (XP/VISTA???), Front Page starts? Check your autostart entries! If you don't know how to do this, come back, we'll help

Originally Posted by pollyo

Is there freeware to check out the legality of installed applications?
Thanks

Yes, it is called WGA notification, come with Windoze and usually people make a great effort to get rid of it. If you haven't changed your installation, it is still active and performs the validation on a daily basis. (On XP, Vista is not my turf...)

For the time being, check this page on the main site
Best Free Office Suite
http://www.techsupportalert.com/node/168

As Chris said, you might very well discover, you can do without it...

[grimbles]

Hi Pollyo - Sounds to me as if you have been a victim of Automatic Updates. There was a M$ update several weeks ago called 'Office Genuine Advantage notifications" which would have been automatically applied to your machine if you had 'updates' set that way.
The update was marked as 'Important' but in reality was merely a means for M$ to check your computer for non-genuine versions of Office. Unfortunately, 'OGA' has proved to be less than 100% accurate and has identified some genuine Office installations as illegitimate.
Check through your updates list and if this one appears you may have to contact M$ direct in order to clear it up.

cheers...JIM

[rhiannon]

Originally Posted by pollyo

All of a sudden I have to open Office attachments 3 times to get them, and I am constantly told that I don't have a legal copy of office- and that automatic updates failed- which is not true- I have the copy that the computer came installed with-registered to me. It seems that windows wants to launch Frontpage every time I want to get into it. Anybody know how to get rid of this? Is there freeware to check out the legality of installed applications?
Thanks

It could be the Windows Installer - it runs amok on me for no reason from time to time.
I use the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility to fix it.
Its put out by Microsoft and you should be able to find the latest version here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

[pollyo]

Thank you all for your replies. I will check out your suggestions. It may very well be time to say goodbye to Bill.