Help! Can't install Access on multiple PCs

[spk]

I'm setting up a DB for my wife's machine shop. She has Windows 2000 (for accounting purposes) and her assistant has XP. I have 2000 at home so I installed Access 2003 on my computer, created the database, table, query, macro, and switchboard, and it works great.
Problem? Apparently, I cannot use the same product key more than twice.
I installed it on my wife's machine, but couldn't activate it on her assistant's machine.Microsoft says this is in the end user license agreement, and I'll have to take their word for it cuz I didn't read it.

My question: Is there some sort of workaround for this? If I deactivate it/uninstall it on my machine will that help? I don't need it now that the db is set up anyway.
I just need to get it activated on the 3rd (assistant's) machine ASAP.
Any help much appreciated.

 

[boblarson]

If you read the licensing agreement, you should find that you can install a single copy

1. On ONE workstation

2. AND, On ONE PORTABLE device for the use of the same person in number 1.

So, if you have installed on two workstations you have violated the agreement anyway. As for changing where the installation is activated, you should be able to contact Microsoft to get that changed. But, if you want to have it on two workstations then you will need to purchase another license.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

If you go through MS Update sites, you are going to have this problem. Yes, it is in the EULA. Yes, you are in technical violation.

Buy the cheapest possible copy of Office that has Access in it, or (if no other Office component is required), buy stand-alone Access for each machine. De-install what you have installed and install the stand-alone copies. There is no technical solution that doesn't involve breaking the law in some way.

For small shops, MS will probably not have an advantageous group license offer. You need to have larger shops before they give you a bulk license price break. I don't know the break-over point on pricing, but I'd be surprised if you would get any breaks before at least 5 and maybe even 10 units.

The other alternative requires you to have a DEVELOPER's edition of Access and make a stand-alone of the database that uses a distributable run-time copy of Access. Search this forum for "Run Time" and punctuation variants thereof to see more about this particular solution.

 

[spk]

Thanks for the info. I'm really kind of p&*$#ed off about this, seeing how it's been kind of a hassle to get an affordable version of 2003 and now I find out I need to get another one.
I guess the person I'm really mad at is myself for not knowing this sooner.
I appreciate the advice and I guess I'll just have to start looking for another copy.
Any thoughts on a good place to get one? I bought the first one through a third-party on Amazon, but I'm open to suggestions to get it anywhere else (and cheap).........I don't need the entire Office suite, just Access 2003.

 

[Moniker]

See if you can find an OEM version. There's no box, no manual, etc., just the disc(s) and a valid product key. You can also skimp a little and get the version for Students and Teachers. This is the exact same version of the product but at a discount. It's kind of a gray area as to the legality of this if you're not literally a teacher or student, but I like to think I've taught some people in here, so does that count?

Really, an OEM version is the most guilt-free way to go.

MS Rules on OEM (including how to verify it's legit before purchasing)

You can do your own searches (Google "OEM Software MS Access 2003"). I found this.

On a side note, I bought Vista Ultimate and Office 2007 Professional at the same time. Talk about a ~$700 surprise.

 

[boblarson]

Really, an OEM version is the most guilt-free way to go.

Not according to the link you posted here. This explicitly states that buying OEM software, WITHOUT purchasing it with a FULLY-ASSEMBLED COMPUTER SYSTEM is NOT okay.

MS Rules on OEM (including how to verify it's legit before purchasing)

 

[Moniker]

Semantics.

He has a fully assembled computer system. You're right, of course, but the link I posted to NexTag has very discounted full versions.

I guess it's especially important with older software (Access 2003 vs. Access 2007). OEM companies can legally dump off their unused OEM software to wholesalers, which is how you get OEM software without the hardware in the first place. If it's legal to do that, then it should be legal to get that software, especially when it's "last-gen" software.

I know that, technically, you shouldn't be able to do that (and don't do it through the spam you may get in email about "Ch34p OEM $oftW4Re"). However, a legal valid key is a legal valid key.

Again, this is a legal gray area and up for debate. MS knows that there are OEM software only dealers, but they aren't exactly shutting the legitimate ones down. At the same time, they say OEM software has to go with hardware. You can't have one with the other, but both exist. It's like the nexus of the universe!

If you're bugged by OEM, teach your kid how to say, "Mommy" and you're technically a teacher, so you can get that version.

 

[thisisntwally]

You can also skimp a little and get the version for Students and Teachers. This is the exact same version of the product but at a discount. It's kind of a gray area as to the legality of this if you're not literally a teacher or student, but I like to think I've taught some people in here, so does that count?

i must say, having studied some access at the universities, that if those @$$ 0's qualify for the teacher price, you (plural) should too. plus i think i remember reading somewhere that as long as its a micro$oft product, it isn't stealing....but that may have been a dream.

seriously though, a ten dollar copy of OfficePro really can't be beat. even if its forty. or whatever. $700 is clearly the real criminal act.

 

[spk]

This is all very enlightening. I appreciate everyone's input on this, as I am entirely new to the whole licensing-agreement thing. I have pretty much always used whatever software was on my PC.

I just read this in a FAQ about OEM:
OEM is not transferable. Once you activate it on a computer, the software cannot be transferred over to another computer, even if the original computer breaks.

Is this true? I mean, I know it must be true because I read it on the internets but if this is true why would one want to purchase it?

Thanks again for all of all of your help.

 

[spk]

Also,
found this version of the software. Any idea what "Promotional" means in this context?