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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Microsoft Office Test Drive Removal

tobymedia - Aug 17, 2005 - 11:29 am

I've read that before installing microsoft office on os X that I have to first remove the microsoft office test drive. however, i did not do that—i just installed microsoft office (the teacher/student version) on my computer. but now, the test drive is still on my computer, which is annoying since i'll often try to open documents and it'll look for the test drive and then say "sorry, your 30-day free trial has expired." now that i've already installed microsoft office, how do I get rid of that test drive?

Another question about microsoft office: My microsoft word program crashes around five times a day. All of the other microsoft office programs are fine, it's just my microsoft word that crashes. What can I do to remedy this problem?

I am a total layman and have no technical savvy, sorry to say....

skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 1:29 pm

On the Office CD you will find a Remove Office folder and application. Run the uninstaller. One of the removal options will include removing both the current installation and any Test Drive as well as removing all preference files. Choose to remove everything. After running the uninstaller you may still have a Microsoft Office folder in your Applications folder. If you so be sure to drag it to the Trash and delete it.

You should now be able to reinstall Office normally. After installing Office you will need to download and install all of the updates for Office from the Microsoft support site for the Mac: http://www.mactopia.com/.

tobymedia - Aug 17, 2005 - 2:29 pm

Thank you—three more questions on this issue. One, I used a friend's microsoft office CD (student/teacher version) to install microsoft office on my computer. I'm willing to buy my own microsoft office CD, but want to make sure that the fact that I can't get my hands on the version on my computer won't be a problem when I attempt to uninstall then re-install.

Plus, I've seen one version of microsoft office (teacher/student) for sale for a much cheaper price, called the OEM version, for just $83 vs. the usual $140. What is the difference between this version and the regular version? Given I only use my computer for word processing would i be OK getting the OEM version?

Finally, my microsoft word program crashes around five times a day. All of the other microsoft office programs are fine, it's just my microsoft word that crashes. What can I do to diagnose and remedy this problem? I assume re-installing microsoft office might fix this, but is there anything else I can do?

skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 2:52 pm

Thank you—three more questions on this issue. One, I used a friend's microsoft office CD (student/teacher version) to install microsoft office on my computer. I'm willing to buy my own microsoft office CD, but want to make sure that the fact that I can't get my hands on the version on my computer won't be a problem when I attempt to uninstall then re-install.

The version you want to buy is Office X 2004. This is the current version. Updates for it are downloadable from http://www.mactopia.com/.

Plus, I've seen one version of microsoft office (teacher/student) for sale for a much cheaper price, called the OEM version, for just $83 vs. the usual $140. What is the difference between this version and the regular version? Given I only use my computer for word processing would i be OK getting the OEM version?

OEM versions are versions that have no documentation or warranty and usually are just the CD. Here's a site with various offered prices on the Student edition. If you are a teacher or staff at an elementary or secondary school or a student, staff, or faculty at a university you can likely get a copy even cheaper if the school has purchased a site license.

Finally, my microsoft word program crashes around five times a day. All of the other microsoft office programs are fine, it's just my microsoft word that crashes. What can I do to diagnose and remedy this problem? I assume re-installing microsoft office might fix this, but is there anything else I can do?

Your problems are very likely due to the fact you are using the Test Drive version which you then overlaid with the real version. Plus you probably have not installed any of the updates.

tobymedia - Aug 17, 2005 - 3:35 pm

Thank you so much, this is very helpful. Just one more thing I need answered: I borrowed a friend's microsoft office CD to install microsoft office on my computer. I don't have access to this CD anymore. If I buy my own version, can I use the "uninstall" option on this new CD to uninstall the version on my computer? Or, do I need to get my hands on the CD I originally used?

And does microsoft word offer phone tech support for any problems I might have during installation?

skapp - Aug 17, 2005 - 4:12 pm

Yes, the CD you will get when you buy your copy will have the Remove Office application. Just be sure to use it to remove everything (Office related, that is) before trying to install the real McCoy.

Actually, I believe they may provide like one telephone support call expressly for first time installation problems, but I'm not sure. MS doesn't like to encourage phone support unless you're paying money for it, but they may give you installation help for 30 days or something like that which is free.