You're just lucky the WGA verification process is so simple and doesn't really check much .... :cool:

One might say Microsoft are more interested in perusing this sort of mis-licensing stuff higher up the food chain than the end-user (i.e. at the reseller/distributor level), no doubt Microsoft are happy that you are using a legal-ish copy rather than some dodgy copy you downloaded or picked up when you last flew a far east routing. But I'm in no position to comment, and, as with most things Microsoft, I wouldn't be surprised if their stance changes tomorrow. But in your case I think the reseller is probably partly to blame as it sounds like you genuinely did make some effort to enquire before hand and the sales monkey just didn't know his X from his elbow. :ok:

If any mods are reading this thread, perhaps we can have a Microsoft Licensing Basics sticky thread ?

Chaps

Thank you all very much indeed especially BOAC and PPPop

I bought the original disk with the Dell machine as an extra. Over £200 as I recall.

The new machine is also a Dell but I did not take up the option of buying another MS Office suite 'cos the old machine was literally binned after the appropriate sledge hammer treatment of drives etc.

I will certainly have a word with Microsoft

Regards

JF

Exactly - it does not make sense.

The last time I activated office was when I last installed it yonks ago

As others have said, John, I think there are too many 'new' bits in your new Dell for the OEM to install. I gather these things work on a points system for CPU/drive/etc etc. I would suggest calling Dell first and asking for re-validation (try "your rubbish machine failed and I have now had to spend £XXX to buy another one of them" sort of thing), then MS if that fails.

Open Office will, I'm sure, do all you want and it is free. I have other options (not for this forum...)

Thanks, Hasselhof.
Funnily enough it was Xubuntu I had in mind.
Looking forwards to this midnight oil project! :-)

BOAC

Thanks again. I rang MS using their free phone validation number and it was sorted on the spot

Yours

John