I'm unable to activate Office XP after upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7

Anonymous
2011-04-04T05:40:38+00:00

I recently upgraded to Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (though since I upgraded from Windows XP technically I did a clean install of Windows 7). I'm in the process of re-installing all of my programs but I encountered a problem when attempting to activate Microsoft Office XP over the internet. I get a message that reads:

"We are unable to process your request at this time. Please try again later, or contact a Customer Service Representative by clicking OK and selecting the Telephone option. (0xb017)"

However, when I attempt to use the telephone option and select USA as my region, no telephone number is displayed. So, I'm at a loss for what to do. I haven't had any luck finding information regarding anyone with a similar problem. I would very much appreciate any help/advice anyone could give me!

Microsoft 365 and Office | Install, redeem, activate | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2011-04-11T12:27:39+00:00

Hi guys,

I'll list the steps that I took which resolved the issue. Keep in mind, while it worked for me, I'm not 100% sure it would work for everyone.

  1. First, use the option to activate Office XP by telephone and follow the steps until it asks you for a confirmation ID, this is what you'll hopefully be getting from a Microsoft representative. This window should also contain another ID number that the representative will probably ask you for.
  2. Next, go to www.microsoft.com and click the “Contact Us” link (should be a small link at the bottom of the page).
  3. On the page that comes up, click the link that says "Chat Now".
  4. On the next page that comes up, click the link for "Product Sales, General Inquiries and Genuine Advantage Questions".
  5. Fill in the required fields in the window that pops up and click "Start Chat" to talk to a representative.
  6. Explain the issue you're having to the representative and he/she will probably ask you for the ID number I previously mentioned you might need. Give them the ID number, and he/she will hopefully provide you with a confirmation ID number.
  7. Enter the confirmation ID number in Office XP to complete the steps for telephone activation. This worked for me, I hope it works for you!!

Hope this helps, good luck!!

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-11-24T14:42:37+00:00

    thank you, i have been trying to find this number on the web site but with no luck as it said it would be on my activation screen and it wasn't .

    your a star ! :)

    my product is now activated and took about 2 min ...... which was a lot less time then it took me to find the number! :)

    also i rang from my mobile and they sent me the activation number as a text so didn't need to write it down! :)

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-11-02T19:43:34+00:00

    Online chat costs $39.  How can I do this for free?  Go  it!  Using the 866 number  a previous respondent  listed (which happens to be a catch-all Microsoft help number - VERY useful to have!) , I was given another number  for XP activation -  888-658-2342.  An automated voice asked me for the code on my screen, gave me another code, I entered it and voila!

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-10-16T17:15:10+00:00

    I'm sure the question has already been answered but yes, definitely, there is a ten install limit on Office XP per serial number. Microsoft did not care if your hard drive crashed, and you had to reinstall the program on the same computer but a different hard drive, because they did not think that far ahead. They only thought of piracy issues. I explained this to the representative (the 1-800 number in this thread, like hey, did you ever consider hard disk crashes, and I may need to reinstall the program on the same computer? What if I get a new computer but don't want to pay for the program again? Did you ever consider that? So I gave them negative feedback on this, and apparently they removed the install limit for my serial number, since I am a published author, they don't want me going public with this information, but it's too late for that. I also told them that if they don't remove the limit on the program I bought, Office XP for $200--that if I bought the program there should be limitless installations as I deem necessary, but not on different computers at the same time in all fairness--that I would abandon all Microsoft programs and simply go with Open Office.org, which is MS Office compatible and free, with none of the inconveniences that Microsoft imposes on its customers with limiting the number of installations.  Once I buy something, I expect to own it for life until I sell it or give it away.

    Since MS Word 2002 is the best word processor ever made, with it's customizable menu buttons unlike the newer versions and their totally different and illogical interface, I had to go to this much trouble to get my installation limit removed--or at least bumped up another 10 installations, however Microsoft managed to do it.  I just wanted my program to work. When I mentioned that I would switched loyalties if they stymied me one more time, they finally got the message.  Persistence does pay off, and eventually you will get to one person at Microsoft that will listen.  Otherwise, there's always an Apple or MacIntosh.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-10-15T21:21:15+00:00

    Everything worked just as described.  Thanks so much.

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