Hard Drive wiped, can I get MS Office back?

RogieBear

Hey,

First of all, I am not too knowledgable when it comes to computers so apologies for what may be a really stupid question!

I brought my computer into a computer repair shop today and was told that I need a new hard drive. As I have MS Office and Norton Anti-Virus and other software installed, does wiping the hard drive mean that I will lose all this? If so, is there anyway that they can be re-installed?

I bought 3 MS Office and Norton licenses, but these have already been installed onto two laptops and the computer with the broken hard drive. Therefore, I don't have any licenses left :mad: Therefore, do I need to get new licenses?

Be nice with the reponses!:o
RogieBear

GarIT

RogieBear wrote: »

Hey,

First of all, I am not too knowledgable when it comes to computers so apologies for what may be a really stupid question!

I brought my computer into a computer repair shop today and was told that I need a new hard drive. As I have MS Office and Norton Anti-Virus and other software installed, does wiping the hard drive mean that I will lose all this? If so, is there anyway that they can be re-installed?

I bought 3 MS Office and Norton licenses, but these have already been installed onto two laptops and the computer with the broken hard drive. Therefore, I don't have any licenses left :mad: Therefore, do I need to get new licenses?

Be nice with the reponses!:o
RogieBear

A licence doesn't run out when you use it, it can only be used on a certain ammount of computers at the same time. If you still have the licence key you can use it, if you don't no you cant.

RogieBear

GarIT wrote: »

A licence doesn't run out when you use it, it can only be used on a certain ammount of computers at the same time. If you still have the licence key you can use it, if you don't no you cant.

Thanks for the quick reponse. So, if I was not to get my hard drive fixed and instead buy a new computer, my license key would not work??

GarIT

RogieBear wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reponse. So, if I was not to get my hard drive fixed and instead buy a new computer, my license key would not work??

I think it will work on a new computer too once your not using on four computers at the same time. I think but im not sure that Microsoft allows the computers that its on to be changed a few times. I took a single licence for office 2000 from one computer onto 4 new ones (one after the other) and there were no problems.

I just googled it and had a look quickly, You can only have it on three computers at a time but you are allowed to activate it a number of times, if you keep changing the computer it is on too often they will stop you.

dilallio

Is your existing drive faulty? They may be able to clone your old drive to the new drive - in this case you won't lose anything.

If not, just install Office using your licence key - you won't have any issues.

RogieBear

GarIT wrote: »

I think it will work on a new computer too once your not using on four computers at the same time. I think but im not sure that Microsoft allows the computers that its on to be changed a few times. I took a single licence for office 2000 from one computer onto 4 new ones (one after the other) and there were no problems.

I just googled it and had a look quickly, You can only have it on three computers at a time but you are allowed to activate it a number of times, if you keep changing the computer it is on too often they will stop you.

That makes sense Thanks GarIT for your help.

RogieBear

dilallio wrote: »

Is your existing drive faulty? They may be able to clone your old drive to the new drive - in this case you won't lose anything.

If not, just install Office using your licence key - you won't have any issues.

The problem with my computer is that it keeps crashing and then sometimes the operating system wont boot, and I was told that it's the hard drive that's the problem They also said that they can try and transfer my files from the old one to the new one. Am I right in saying that if they were able to transfer the files, I wouldn't even need the license key, because it would be already installed?

GarIT

RogieBear wrote: »

The problem with my computer is that it keeps crashing and then sometimes the operating system wont boot, and I was told that it's the hard drive that's the problem They also said that they can try and transfer my files from the old one to the new one. Am I right in saying that if they were able to transfer the files, I wouldn't even need the license key, because it would be already installed?

I doub't it, the only way that would happen is if they made an exact copy of your old hard drive onto the new one. Most places won't do that though because it is likely to cause problems if you are making an exact copy of a drive that is already broken.

RogieBear

GarIT wrote: »

I doub't it, the only way that would happen is if they made an exact copy of your old hard drive onto the new one. Nost places won't do that though because it is likely to cause problems if you are making an exact copy of a drive that is already broken.

That makes sense:) When they say, they can transfer data, do you have any idea what data they would be talking about, especially if they're not going to make an exact copy? The computer would only be used for work purposes mostly, and all important files are stored on USB keys and laptops, and I'm pretty sure that there is no important files saved on the hard drive.

OneIdea

Just my 2cents... if your hard drive was broken, your pc wouldn't start at all, so I'm of the opinion the fault lays elsewhere.

What operating system are you using, with what memory and how old is the machine ?

RogieBear

OneIdea wrote: »

Just my 2cents... if your hard drive was broken, your pc wouldn't start at all, so I'm of the opinion the fault lays elsewhere.

What operating system are you using, with what memory and how old is the machine ?

Thanks for your input OneIdea My PC will sometimes get all the way to the desktop and then crash, and then other times I will just get the Dell Screen as soon as I power up the machine, and it freezes at that point. When I explained this in the computer repair shop, I was told that it might be the graphics card, but after running a diagnostic check, they told me that it's just the hard drive.

My operating system is Windows Vista, 500GB memory I think, and is around 4 years old.

OneIdea

RogieBear wrote: »

Thanks for your input OneIdea My PC will sometimes get all the way to the desktop and then crash, and then other times I will just get the Dell Screen as soon as I power up the machine, and it freezes at that point. When I explained this in the computer repair shop, I was told that it might be the graphics card, but after running a diagnostic check, they told me that it's just the hard drive.

My operating system is Windows Vista, 500GB memory I think, and is around 4 years old.

Ok its probable a 500gb harddrive with possible 2gb of memory, anyway... would you feel confident enough removing the graphics card. The reason I ask is pending on the graphics card removal if all goes well and your pc starts up ok... it could be your power supply unit. When it was new it did exactly what it said on the tin(so too speak) and supplied you with example 450watts of power... but over time it loses its consistence and fails to provide adequate levels, thus something like a graphics card requires additional power, straining the power supply unit, which results in a crash.

I would try that first, it may be a failed exercise but then again power supplies are very cheap these days, maybe 60euro for 650-700watt one, new graphic cards today require that wattage.

Side note, Dell usually supply a modem as well in their units so take that out as well.

Overheal

As long as you keep the same PC you can still reinstall the Office License, whether it was an OEM, Product Key, or CD License. Doesn't matter. Just make sure you still have the code.

If you were moving the install to a brand new computer, you would need to have the CD version of Office - Presumably in this case the Home and Student 2010 which if you have the DVD version lets you use it on any 3 PCs at a time: if one breaks, you can move it to a new one.

RogieBear

OneIdea wrote: »

Ok its probable a 500gb harddrive with possible 2gb of memory, anyway... would you feel confident enough removing the graphics card. The reason I ask is pending on the graphics card removal if all goes well and your pc starts up ok... it could be your power supply unit. When it was new it did exactly what it said on the tin(so too speak) and supplied you with example 450watts of power... but over time it loses its consistence and fails to provide adequate levels, thus something like a graphics card requires additional power, straining the power supply unit, which results in a crash.

I would try that first, it may be a failed exercise but then again power supplies are very cheap these days, maybe 60euro for 650-700watt one, new graphic cards today require that wattage.

Side note, Dell usually supply a modem as well in their units so take that out as well.

Yeah I think it's 500GB hard drive and 2GB memory, apologies I can't take out the graphics card out now, as I have left it in the shop overnight an have to go back tomorrow and tell them if I want them to replace the hard drive.

Before it started to crash consistently, I was getting the so called Blue Screen of Death. Could a problem with the power supply unit cause the Blue Screen of Death, as I thought that was just related to the drivers?

RogieBear

Overheal wrote: »

As long as you keep the same PC you can still reinstall the Office License, whether it was an OEM, Product Key, or CD License. Doesn't matter. Just make sure you still have the code.

If you were moving the install to a brand new computer, you would need to have the CD version of Office - Presumably in this case the Home and Student 2010 which if you have the DVD version lets you use it on any 3 PCs at a time: if one breaks, you can move it to a new one.

That makes sense :-) Thanks for your help Overheal.

Edit: Do you know if that same logic applies to Norton Anti-Virus by any chance?

Skerries

I'd say it is just the hard drive has failed as the onboard diagnostics are accurate
unfortunately hard drives are dear now due to shortages
They will just back up the data on the pc and it will cost you for them to put back an OS on it
you should be able to use your old licenses but you can also use Libre Office which is MS office compatible and also MS Security Essentials is as good or better than a paid for anti-virus at the moment and less of a resource hog

GarIT

RogieBear wrote: »

That makes sense:) When they say, they can transfer data, do you have any idea what data they would be talking about, especially if they're not going to make an exact copy? The computer would only be used for work purposes mostly, and all important files are stored on USB keys and laptops, and I'm pretty sure that there is no important files saved on the hard drive.

I would presume pictures, music, documents, videos and anything similar.

GarIT

OneIdea wrote: »

Just my 2cents... if your hard drive was broken, your pc wouldn't start at all, so I'm of the opinion the fault lays elsewhere.

What operating system are you using, with what memory and how old is the machine ?

I've seen it a lot, when the hard drive is having trouble it can be unable to read windows boot files, drivers or other things.

GarIT

Skerries wrote: »

MS Security Essentials is as good or better than a paid for anti-virus at the moment and less of a resource hog

A lot of people on boards think that but MSE is significantly worse than some paid products, it finds about 80% of zero day malware while the while the internet security packages from Norton, Kaspersky and Comodo block between 95-100% of zero day malware. On average Norton IS 2012 uses 80% less resources than MSE. And people also need to remember that an antivirus like MSE or Norton AV isn't good protection, an antivirus only really finds viruses, it won't find some adware, spyware and rootkits. MSE will be enough for the average used but you need an Internet security package to be fully protected. Normally I'd recommend Norton IS 2012 or Comodo IS as a free alternative.

RogieBear

Skerries wrote: »

I'd say it is just the hard drive has failed as the onboard diagnostics are accurate
unfortunately hard drives are dear now due to shortages
They will just back up the data on the pc and it will cost you for them to put back an OS on it
you should be able to use your old licenses but you can also use Libre Office which is MS office compatible and also MS Security Essentials is as good or better than a paid for anti-virus at the moment and less of a resource hog

Thanks for your response Skerries. I went back to the computer repair shop today, and was told that my hard drive is faulty and that I would need a new one. I was quoted a price of €180 and then an extra €50 to transfer some files I think I was also told that that I would not be able to use my old licenses because of something about the registry on the hard drive

RogieBear

GarIT wrote: »

A lot of people on boards think that but MSE is significantly worse than some paid products, it finds about 80% of zero day malware while the while the internet security packages from Norton, Kaspersky and Comodo block between 95-100% of zero day malware. On average Norton IS 2012 uses 80% less resources than MSE. And people also need to remember that an antivirus like MSE or Norton AV isn't good protection, an antivirus only really finds viruses, it won't find some adware, spyware and rootkits. MSE will be enough for the average used but you need an Internet security package to be fully protected. Normally I'd recommend Norton IS 2012 or Comodo IS as a free alternative.

How about AVG Anti-Virus? When I was in the computer repair shop this morning, I asked about whether my Norton would work on the new computer, and was told that AVG is the best one to have

yoyo

RogieBear wrote: »

Thanks for your response Skerries. I went back to the computer repair shop today, and was told that my hard drive is faulty and that I would need a new one. I was quoted a price of €180 and then an extra €50 to transfer some files I think I was also told that that I would not be able to use my old licenses because of something about the registry on the hard drive

That sounds very expensive for a new hard disk, especially the €50 charge for just transfering a few files. Even with OS reinstall that price to me sounds quite high, a hard disk usually goes for around €60-70 these days.
They are probably correct about the licenses, unless you can get Windows to boot and run a key finder like Jellybean it would be very difficult to recover them. I'm not aware of any bootable keyfinder unfortunately which would be a solution to this issue.
Is it a desktop or laptop? How old is it? If a laptop the new drive cost could be considered more reasonable, but it may be worth your while to get a new machine if the computer is very old.

RogieBear wrote: »

How about AVG Anti-Virus? When I was in the computer repair shop this morning, I asked about whether my Norton would work on the new computer, and was told that AVG is the best one to have

AVG is rubbish, nearly a virus in itself. norton has improved a load since a couple of years ago but I still think MSE is grand for most users, most anti virus scanners wont be able to detect 0 day malware exploits anyways, so even if other scanners have slightly better detection rates I still think MSE is fine for most. The one area MSE is lacking is heuristics I think, which is why it seems to be quite low compared to competitors. It is still quite a robust, non intrusive anti virus program though

Nick

RogieBear

yoyo wrote: »

That sounds very expensive for a new hard disk, especially the €50 charge for just transfering a few files. Even with OS reinstall that price to me sounds quite high, a hard disk usually goes for around €60-70 these days.
They are probably correct about the licenses, unless you can get Windows to boot and run a key finder like Jellybean it would be very difficult to recover them. I'm not aware of any bootable keyfinder unfortunately which would be a solution to this issue.
Is it a desktop or laptop? How old is it? If a laptop the new drive cost could be considered more reasonable, but it may be worth your while to get a new machine if the computer is very old.

Thanks for your response yoyo. It's a desktop and is around 4 years old. I took my machine back from the computer shop this morning as I was being quoted €220 for the job in total, whereas I could get a new from Dell for €299.

I also had a quick google and a new hard drive doesn't look too difficult to install so I was looking at just doing it myself. Would you consider this a difficult job? I understand that If I was to do this I would have to install an operating system. My current machine came with the operating system installed but I still have the disk that came with the machine. Would I be able to use this disc to install the operating system onto a new machine?

yoyo

Hi Rogie,

Installing a hard disk in a desktop is very straight forward. If you have an operating system restore disc you are laughing, just pop it in at startup, boot off it and run the install procedure. Theres nothing much too it.
To recover files when the OS is installed on the new hard disk (I'm assuming an IDE drive at Master configuration), set the old broken drive to be slave. All this is is moving a tiny lego like brick from the Master to Slave position. If its a SATA drive this is not needed at all. Then when you boot into Windows see if it sees the broken drive, if it does go into it>Documents & Settings>UserName>Documents/Pictures etc.

Nick

RogieBear

yoyo wrote: »

Hi Rogie,

Installing a hard disk in a desktop is very straight forward. If you have an operating system restore disc you are laughing, just pop it in at startup, boot off it and run the install procedure. Theres nothing much too it.
To recover files when the OS is installed on the new hard disk (I'm assuming an IDE drive at Master configuration), set the old broken drive to be slave. All this is is moving a tiny lego like brick from the Master to Slave position. If its a SATA drive this is not needed at all. Then when you boot into Windows see if it sees the broken drive, if it does go into it>Documents & Settings>UserName>Documents/Pictures etc.

Nick

Thanks for your help yoyo. I was speaking to a family friend this evening (as he is more tech-minded than me ) and he said that he'll get the new hard drive and install it for me. I will also give him all the information that both the other users and yourself have given in this thread.

Thanks for all your help guys!

RogieBear