Separate Product IDs same product keys - Office 2003

[KLP34]

I bought four copies of Office 2003 (four boxes and disks). One of the four

computers died. In checking to see which disk to install on the replacement

computer, I discovered three of the computers (includes the dead unit) have

the same product key, but different product IDs. With the install on the

replacement computer, that will leave two computers with the same product

keys. Is that an issue since I have four licenses, or do I have to

re-install on one of the computers so that each computer has its own product

key? Also, why would the product IDs be different?

I posted this question before but cannot find it in the forum to see if

there was a response, so forgive the duplication.

 

[LVTravel]

"KLP34" wrote in message

news:FCE791F7-23D9-4425-B238-DE5A69A9401F@microsoft.com...

> I bought four copies of Office 2003 (four boxes and disks). One of the

> four

> computers died. In checking to see which disk to install on the

> replacement

> computer, I discovered three of the computers (includes the dead unit)

> have

> the same product key, but different product IDs. With the install on the

> replacement computer, that will leave two computers with the same product

> keys. Is that an issue since I have four licenses, or do I have to

> re-install on one of the computers so that each computer has its own

> product

> key? Also, why would the product IDs be different?

> I posted this question before but cannot find it in the forum to see if

> there was a response, so forgive the duplication.



Product IDs are created on the install by using hardware "serial numbers" in

addition to the license key. No two computers, even by using the same

license key will have the exact same product number. It has been this way

since at least Office 97 as I have installed using the same license key now

on more than 10 computers and never had the same product key (all were

installed legally through the years.)



IIRC, and I hope someone will post the web site, there is a license key

change utility that could possibly change the key on one of the currently

installed versions to one of the other keys. The KB article here is

Microsoft's fix to change a license key:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/895456