Office for Mac problem

I've accidentally caused a problem with office for mac 2008 by trashing another bit of software which seems to have affected office. I can't find my original disk so face the prospect of having to buy a new one. To check that the problem is just to do with office I downloaded a 30 day trial of it to see if i can install that. if it runs without any problems and can open all my files (which at the moment won't open - I get a "quit unexpectedly" sign) I know that the problem is something to do with office only - right?

However, when I tried to actually install the downloaded office I get a sign saying that it can't install as office 08 is already installed. Does that mean what I have already can be sorted out so that it starts working again? Can anyone tell me whether that's possible and whether it's something I can do myself. The only other option is to call someone to sort it out for me and the cost of that will be the same as the cost of buying the disk.

Also is there an alternative to office (I need powerpoint excel and word) which will also open the files I've already created and is cheaper?

Thanks

No, this just means that you need to use the office uninstaller before attempting to install office again (even to install the 30 day trial version).
iWork 09 is a good alternative to Office, and I believe iWork 10 will be coming out soon.

Thanks for your help - but I need a prog that will allow me to read my old word documents too- will iWork allow me to do that?

Yep
NeoOffice is also a free alternative! http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/productivity_tools/neooffice.html

bobolu said:

Thanks for your help - but I need a prog that will allow me to read my old word documents too- will iWork allow me to do that?

Click to expand...

This is iWork 09;


Click for full size

and Numbers/Excel and Keynote/Powerpoint are both equally able to import/export M$

6string said:

NeoOffice is also a free alternative!

Click to expand...

Open Office is another one that I've seen highly recommended.

Office is the best of these programs so it is a pity you cannot find the software CD. Guess not much good asking if you have kept the receipt or key code, as a phone call to Microsoft may be os some assistance?

I don't recall if my Office software was registered. If they do that, then perhaps one could give other personal information to them and they could verify ownership of the software in their records.

When you install Office it is necessary to enter one of the three key codes from the rear of the jewel case, and on activating Microsoft allocates a product ID number, different to the key code. You will see this number when you start up office.

If you can access Office, jot the number down and contact Microsoft.