bought macbook on ebay, seller using same MS office keycode...

[CloverClover]

I bought a macbook on ebay two years ago, and it included MS Office on it. I have been using it, but the last couple weeks I can't go on MS Word as it logs me off and says "(name) is already currently using this key-code"

So he installed MS word from the same code on his CPU... office recognizes he's using it from across the internet and boots me. not sure what to do. I don't have the seller's info anymore, and I don't want to get another MS word because I have already created a specific and lengthy auto correct.

Anyone have any tips??

[shaun3000]

So... was Office stated in the auction as one of the included perks? Or did he just send you his computer without wiping the hard drive?

At any rate, you should be able to change the key without reinstalling everything.

[Jay G.]

Since you got it two years ago, I'm assuming the Office is 2004 or earlier.

According to this thread, you can hold the Option key at the first dialog box of the Remove Office tool in order to get an option to remove the licensing info only:
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...1a74d1da?pli=1
http://www.rit.edu/its/services/desk...oveserial.html

For Office 2008, the Remove Office Tool trick apparently doesn't work anymore. These threads mention that you can delete the two specific files that MS Office 2008 uses to store the key in, and Office will then prompt you for a new key the next time you use it:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...4#post=6920554
http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...24#post1361524

This article suggests that you can edit the key in those files directly instead:
http://www.keenertech.com/content/259.aspx

[kms_md]

Originally Posted by Jay G.

Since you got it two years ago, I'm assuming the Office is 2004 or earlier.

According to this thread, you can hold the Option key at the first dialog box of the Remove Office tool in order to get an option to remove the licensing info only:
http://groups.google.com/group/micro...1a74d1da?pli=1
http://www.rit.edu/its/services/desk...oveserial.html

For Office 2008, the Remove Office Tool trick apparently doesn't work anymore. These threads mention that you can delete the two specific files that MS Office 2008 uses to store the key in, and Office will then prompt you for a new key the next time you use it:
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthre...4#post=6920554
http://forums.appleinsider.com/showt...24#post1361524

This article suggests that you can edit the key in those files directly instead:
http://www.keenertech.com/content/259.aspx

thanks for the info. i have a g4 mini that i replaced with a C2D mini and i need to remove the license from the g4 and transfer it to the newer machine. this is exactly what i have been searching for.

[neonguy528]

i would never buy electronics from ebayer.you probably got a refurbished one instead of new.