Microsoft Rant

[ddeder]

In this day of 300GB hard drives, why the heck does Microsoft Office updates still require files from the CD? Damn it Microsoft, when the program is installed, just put all the files that might be needed in the future on my hard drive. Or at least give me the choice to do so.

 

[Injury]

Because if you don't have a CD then it's likely you didn't actually buy it?
Just because your e-wang is hugified by having big HD's, doesn't mean everyone does.

 

[BigJ]

Originally posted by: Injury
Because if you don't have a CD then it's likely you didn't actually buy it?
Just because your e-wang is hugified by having big HD's, doesn't mean everyone does.

Meh. Pirates will likely have a copy of the CD either laying around or on their HD. If that's MS's aim, they're only screwing the people that scammed by people that sold them machines with illegitimate Windows Installs.

I think it may have to do with not everyone having broadband.

 

[EKKC]

get daemon tools and make an office ISO FTW!!!
and i copy the whole i386 folder into C:\ from the windows cd

 

[jondercik]

It doesnt want the CD it wants the msi file. Just point it to wherever you stored the msi file.

 

[Papagayo]

When you install.. there is an option to do full install.. Then it will not ask for CDs..

 

[jupiter57]

I always put a full copy of Windows, Office, and NSW in their own folders on the hard drive.
Started this habit back in the Win95/98 days because it seemed that every time you tried to change ANYTHING, you always got the "Please insert the Windows XX CD and click OK" or whatever it did say, I cant remember.
So much easier to browes to the folder than to dig around for your original CD.

 

[jagec]

I agree, it's stupid.

I suppose we should be glad that it doesn't require you to have the Windows CD in the drive to run Windows

 

[BornStar]

Office 2003 doesn't require the discs after the initial install as long as you don't select to remove the installation files.

 

[dullard]

Um, they allow you to do a much bigger download that doesn't require the CDs. Look more closely next time you do an update.

For example, look here:

Download one of the two .exe files by using the links at the bottom of the page, and then save the file to your hard disk drive.

officexp-kb873352-client-enu.exe: You should download this file if you have access to your original product CD-ROM. You might need to provide the installation source during patch installation if you have previously updated your product.

officexp-kb873352-fullfile-enu.exe: Download this file if you do not have access to your original product CD-ROM or if you have experienced problems installing the officexp-kb873352-client-enu.exe.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: BornStar18
Office 2003 doesn't require the discs after the initial install as long as you don't select to remove the installation files.

i'm pretty sure they've done this for a long time.

 

[talyn00]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: BornStar18
Office 2003 doesn't require the discs after the initial install as long as you don't select to remove the installation files.

i'm pretty sure they've done this for a long time.

I'm pretty sure versions prior to Office 2003 didn't have this feature.

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: dullard
Um, they allow you to do a much bigger download that doesn't require the CDs. Look more closely next time you do an update.

For example, look here:

Download one of the two .exe files by using the links at the bottom of the page, and then save the file to your hard disk drive.

officexp-kb873352-client-enu.exe: You should download this file if you have access to your original product CD-ROM. You might need to provide the installation source during patch installation if you have previously updated your product.

officexp-kb873352-fullfile-enu.exe: Download this file if you do not have access to your original product CD-ROM or if you have experienced problems installing the officexp-kb873352-client-enu.exe.

isn't this option hidden if you previously said to use the cd?

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: talyn00
I'm pretty sure versions prior to Office 2003 didn't have this feature.

Well, if you look at my post above, I purposely gave an Office XP example. You simply don't need the CD if you don't want it.

Originally posted by: randomlinh
isn't this option hidden if you previously said to use the cd?

I don't know how it works, but you can always manually download the full non-CD-requiring files if you are in a bind.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Papagayo
When you install.. there is an option to do full install.. Then it will not ask for CDs..

That's what I was going to say. Instead of doing the dumbed-down automatic installation, be a man, step up, and set your own paramaters. The one you're looking for to is to run each part of Office you install completely from the hard drive.

 

[Winchester]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: Papagayo
When you install.. there is an option to do full install.. Then it will not ask for CDs..

That's what I was going to say. Instead of doing the dumbed-down automatic installation, be a man, step up, and set your own paramaters. The one you're looking for to is to run each part of Office you install completely from the hard drive.

Actually, even when I do a complete install it still asks for the CD sometimes. Adding Mailmerge for example, requires the CD. IMO when I say COMPLETE install, I want the whole fricken thing, all options, animated characters etc.

 

[daniel1113]

Once again, MS is being blamed for user error.

 

[ddeder]

User error?! I don't think so. Even after choosing to do the FULL install, there are times when you are still prompted for the CD (as Winchester stated). My point is, if you tell it to do a full install, there should never, ever be a need to insert the CD again unless it is to re-install the product.

No I am not pirating software - I'm just sick of having to track down the CD every time this happens. It's a pain in the ass when travelling with a laptop I get this message and the CD is at home! Wake up idiots at Microsoft and fix this!!!!

 

[mzkhadir]

Originally posted by: ddeder
User error?! I don't think so. Even after choosing to do the FULL install, there are times when you are still prompted for the CD (as Winchester stated). My point is, if you tell it to do a full install, there should never, ever be a need to insert the CD again unless it is to re-install the product.

No I am not pirating software - I'm just sick of having to track down the CD every time this happens. It's a pain in the ass when travelling with a laptop I get this message and the CD is at home! Wake up idiots at Microsoft and fix this!!!!

user error it is, because if you installed office 2003, it asked you save files to your c drive after it finished installing.

 

[dawks]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: talyn00
I'm pretty sure versions prior to Office 2003 didn't have this feature.

Well, if you look at my post above, I purposely gave an Office XP example. You simply don't need the CD if you don't want it.

Yup we use Office XP at work and everytime I do Office Update, it asks if I have the CD or not, and just downloads a bigger update it I choose no.

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

PEBKAC not MS.