MS Office 97 Update

[R2 Innovations <R2innovations -at- MYNA -dot- COM>]

I have read with interest, although I don't use MS Office 97, the
problems that people are having with this package.  The following
information came my way and I thought all Office 97 users would
welcome getting it, so here goes.

IMPORTANT:  IF YOUR OFFICE 97 IS OEM, YOU'RE SOL (temporarily).
Microsoft expects the OEMs to supply it themselves, but has not yet
made any provisions to get them an OEM Distribution copy!

HOW TO GET THE ENTERPRISE UPDATE
----------------------------------------------------------------------
        This information is buried on the MS web site.

"Customers who need the Enterprise Update may certainly order this
version by contacting Microsoft in the US at 1-800-370-9272 and
providing proof of ownership.  Please note that Microsoft Select
customers will automatically receive both the Patch and the Enterprise
Update on their August Select CD. "

International customers may contact their local subsidiary when the
local version of SR-1 is out.

We've not tried to order the Enterprise Update - but if you get a cold
response tell them you have a problem that is only fixed by that CD as
per Knowledge Base article Q156542 (look it up before you call).

'Enterprise Update' has been called 'full version' and more recently
'Office 97 Service Release setup CD'. The latter seems to be a newly
adopted name that may become official.

You should be aware of these different names when calling up to get
your copy - you may have to try several names before the operator
realizes what you are talking about. As a result of the feedback you
should have less trouble when calling to order your Service Release 1
CD-ROM.  Here's our guide to getting the full SR-1 on CD (for
registered Office 97 users in the USA).

- the 'Enterprise Update' is a complete new Office 97 with all the
SR-1 fixes integrated into it.

- It is available for FREE (no shipping/handling charges) but you have
to call the 800 number below to get it.

- Ordering via the Microsoft web site seems to only result in getting
the patch on CD.  There's no online ordering for 'Enterprise Update'
(pity).

- Have your Office 97 CD-ROM key ready when you call.  This number is
usually on the back of jewel case that contains the Office 97 CD-ROM
and would have been entered by you when the product was originally
installed.  NOTE:  some Microsoft information, including their web
site, said that the Product ID from the Help | About screen was
sufficient identification.  That was incorrect info from Redmond --
the CD Key is required to complete an 'Enterprise Update' order.

  - Call 1-800-370-9272  (Weekdays: 8:00am - 10:00pm EST Saturday:
  9:30am - 7:30pm EST closed on Sunday)

  - Ask specifically for the 'Enterprise Update' version of Office 97
  Service Release 1 on CD-ROM.  Don't accept any entreaties to take
  the patch CD instead - stand your ground politely but firmly.

You HAVE to know EXACTLY what to ask for.

If you have any insurmountable trouble, just call again and you'll
almost certainly get a different operator and a different story <sigh>.

Hope this helps some of you out

Ralph E. Robinson


Author of the book "Documenting ISO 9000:  Guidelines for
Compliant Documentation" available through R2 Innovations
in Mississuaga, Ontario.

Email address = r2innovations -at- myna -dot- com
Website = http://www.myna.com/~r2innovn/main.htm

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