OFFXP: Error Message: Invalid Key Code (329376)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Office XP Professional
  • Microsoft Office XP Professional with FrontPage
  • Microsoft Office XP Small Business
  • Microsoft Office XP Standard
  • Microsoft Office XP Students and Teachers
  • Microsoft Office XP Developer
  • Microsoft Access 2002
  • Microsoft Excel 2002
  • Microsoft FrontPage 2002
  • Microsoft Outlook 2002
  • Microsoft PowerPoint 2002
  • Microsoft Word 2002
This article was previously published under Q329376

SYMPTOMS

When you try to start an Office XP program, you may receive a prompt to type the key code for the program. However, after you type the correct key code, you may receive an error message that is similar to the following:
Invalid key code.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if any of the following conditions exist:
  • You install Office XP and a different version of Office XP is already installed on your computer. For example, you install Office XP Standard and Office XP Small Business is already installed on your computer.
  • You install Office XP and a stand-alone version of an Office program is already installed on your computer.
  • You install Microsoft Word 2002 and Microsoft Works Suite is installed on your computer.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, remove the previous installation of Office or the stand-alone program, and then remove and reinstall the version of Office that you want to use:
  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. In Control Panel, click Add or Remove Programs.
  3. In the Currently installed programs list, click the previous installation of Office XP or the stand-alone program, and then click Remove.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the removal process.
  5. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  6. In Control Panel, click Add or Remove Programs.
  7. In the Currently installed programs list, click the version of Office that you want to use, and then click Remove.
  8. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the removal process.
  9. When the removal process is complete, press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert the Office XP CD-ROM from the version that you want to use.
  10. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  11. In Control Panel, click Add or Remove Programs.
  12. In the left pane, click Add New Programs.
  13. In the right pane, click CD or Floppy.
  14. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation process.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:2/16/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb KB329376
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