Removing Office 2000 When the CD is Not Available

In the past couple of weeks there have been 2 messages asking if there
is a way to remove Office 2000 when you do not have access to the CD.
The usual, quick answer of "NO" is incorrect. It can be done.

In early 2003 I was given a computer. It already had Office Premium
installed on it. (This was the *only* software - I promise - that was
not given to me lock, stock and license.) Since I have Office 2000
Standard, I wanted to uninstall the Office 2000 Premium and install
the Standard. The person who gave me the computer had no idea as to
which of the four different Office 2000 Premium CDs he owns was the
correct one. And he lives over 1,000 miles away from me.

On May 12, 2002, in this newsgroup, Michael Williams posted the
Rosetta stone message that gives the concept:

"In the C:\Windows\Installer folder are the setup 'executables' for
all programs installed using the Microsoft Installer, and by trial and
error, I found that '4a5343.msi' was the installation routine for
Office. Double-clicking this file starts the same installation
routine normally accessed by means of the 'Add/remove Programs'
control Panel applet, permitting repair or removal as required."

That particular .msi file didn't exist on my machine but using the
concept and Windows Explorer and XP Home and pausing my cursor over
each appropriate .msi file until the information bubble showed the
"Subject" of each file, I was able to find that the two relevant files
for the full install of Office 2000 Premium that I was trying to
remove were "6a921.msi" - Eng Office CD2 ship and "6a843.msi" Eng
Office Premier ship. Clicking on those files took me to the Add/Remove
uninstall dialog box. I was able to uninstall from there. After
removing the one version of Office 2000, I installed the Office 2000
Standard version that I own.

BTW, my Office 2000 Standard uses "39686.msi" as its magic .msi file.
I just tried it.

I would have answered the original messages, but I had my hard copy of
the Rosetta stone message mispiled. I dug it out this afternoon.

Hey Kirk,

You should now be made Senior chief Software Architect of Microsoft for being so candid about this secret. I don't think Bill Gates would like you to expose all the hidden secrets in his programs!.

Do yo believe in the conspiracy theory that Appolo didn't land on the moon? I just watched a TV program and am convinced that it was all a very expensive ($40 billion!!) Sci-Fi film about landing on the moon!. USA just wanted to demoralise the Russians!!.

Best regards,


Kirk Bubul wrote:

In the past couple of weeks there have been 2 messages asking if there
is a way to remove Office 2000 when you do not have access to the CD.
The usual, quick answer of "NO" is incorrect. It can be done.

In early 2003 I was given a computer. It already had Office Premium
installed on it. (This was the *only* software - I promise - that was
not given to me lock, stock and license.) Since I have Office 2000
Standard, I wanted to uninstall the Office 2000 Premium and install
the Standard. The person who gave me the computer had no idea as to
which of the four different Office 2000 Premium CDs he owns was the
correct one. And he lives over 1,000 miles away from me.

On May 12, 2002, in this newsgroup, Michael Williams posted the
Rosetta stone message that gives the concept:

"In the C:\Windows\Installer folder are the setup 'executables' for
all programs installed using the Microsoft Installer, and by trial and
error, I found that '4a5343.msi' was the installation routine for
Office. Double-clicking this file starts the same installation
routine normally accessed by means of the 'Add/remove Programs'
control Panel applet, permitting repair or removal as required."

That particular .msi file didn't exist on my machine but using the
concept and Windows Explorer and XP Home and pausing my cursor over
each appropriate .msi file until the information bubble showed the
"Subject" of each file, I was able to find that the two relevant files
for the full install of Office 2000 Premium that I was trying to
remove were "6a921.msi" - Eng Office CD2 ship and "6a843.msi" Eng
Office Premier ship. Clicking on those files took me to the Add/Remove
uninstall dialog box. I was able to uninstall from there. After
removing the one version of Office 2000, I installed the Office 2000
Standard version that I own.

BTW, my Office 2000 Standard uses "39686.msi" as its magic .msi file.
I just tried it.

I would have answered the original messages, but I had my hard copy of
the Rosetta stone message mispiled. I dug it out this afternoon.

--
I use non Microsoft products wherever possible which requires no activation.

I use Netscape 7.2 as my default browser which has everything I need for my work.

I believe in good Financial Management!! I do not believe in enriching rich jerks!