After applying the Office 2008 for Mac SP1 Updater, some uses are experiencing a problem where the Setup Assistant starts up every time they try to launch any Office application.
This situation is a result of when the Office Setup Assistant detects that an invalid Product Key was used to install Office 2008. David Pelton, Microsoft MacBU core lead test has outlined below how to fix the problem and requests users to work with him to help chase down the issue to keep it from happening in the future.
HOW TO GET THROUGH THIS ISSUE
Some users who have installed Office 2008 for Mac Service Pack 1 are reporting an issue that occurs after installation. The issue causes the Office Setup Assistant to open when they try to open an Office application. This situation occurs when the Office Setup Assistant detects that an invalid Product Key was used to install Office 2008.
To resolve this issue, please move the following files to the Trash:
- /Users/username/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Office 2008/Microsoft Office 2008 settings.plist
- /Applications/Microsoft Office 2008/Office/OfficePID.plist
After you complete these steps, open any Office application, and then use the product key that is included with your original installation disk to complete the installation. The product key is located on the back of the Office 2008 for Mac DVD sleeve or on the back of the Install Guide.
For additional assistance, visit the Help and How-To section of the Microsoft Web site.
David would like users to submit the following to so he can chase down the issue to keep it from happening in the future.. Please send the following to me for submission. Send me an email
a) did you ever install the Office 2008 beta?
b) what version of Office 2008 did you have installed (12.0 or 12.0.1)?
c) please send me the following files:
/Users/username/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Office 2008/Microsoft Office 2008 settings.plist
/Applications/Microsoft Office 2008/Office/OfficePID.plist
d) please send me your product key from your CD.
Thanks for your help in finding a working solution.
Comments (29)
Posted on May 21, 2008 06:08
Janie:Thank you very much for this. It really helped.
Posted by Janie | May 21, 2008 6:08 AM
Posted on May 21, 2008 16:57
Catarina Teixeira:The invalid pass key is just an excuse for a bad product. I just bought the genuine version and the same thing happened to me.
Posted by Catarina Teixeira | May 21, 2008 4:57 PM
Posted on May 21, 2008 19:23
Diane RossThe "invalid" does not mean you have not bought the real product, it's just a corrupt thus invalid file.
Posted by Diane Ross
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May 21, 2008 7:23 PM
Posted on May 24, 2008 18:08
Dissappointed rex:the specified file....doesn't exist....wtf
Posted by Dissappointed rex | May 24, 2008 6:08 PM
Posted on May 24, 2008 18:33
Diane RossCan you be more specific about what file doesn't exist?
Posted by Diane Ross
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May 24, 2008 6:33 PM
Posted on May 26, 2008 23:22
lovejini:I'm stuck too. I was about to find and delete the second file, but the first (/Users/username/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Office 2008/Microsoft Office 2008 settings.plist) cannot be found. I triple-checked...Also, is there a way to find out your office's PID, through the programs? I don't have it physically, and need it before the prompt will ask me for it...Thanks.
Posted by lovejini | May 26, 2008 11:22 PM
Posted on May 27, 2008 14:53
Diane RossI'll report the file missing. I don't have any info on this at this time, but will post back when I do.
If you look in the Application menu for the About item and display that, it will display the Product ID to you.
There is some confusion over the Product Key and Product ID.
The Product Key also called CD Key is on a yellow or bright orange sticker on the CD package. It is used to install your software.
The Product ID is given during the Setup Assistant process. The Product ID will look like this: 11111-130-0001111-12345). It is used to register. "Registration" has nothing to do with the operation of the software - unlike the Activation required for MS Windows software. It's little more than a marketing tool. It will put you on a Microsoft email list. It is also used when calling MSFT for support.
Posted by Diane Ross
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May 27, 2008 2:53 PM
Posted on May 27, 2008 22:55
Jason:I'm stuck. I have moved the files to the trash, now when i open an office app the setup assistant once again pops up. I agree to the license agreement and type in my product key and click continue, but nothing happens.
Posted by Jason | May 27, 2008 10:55 PM
Posted on May 28, 2008 16:38
Diane RossHave you modified Office in any way? See Dos and Don'ts for a good install
Try this: Drag the Microsoft Office 2008 folder to the Trash, and then reinstall Office 2008 from your original installation disk. Restart. Update. Restart. Repair Permissions. (restarting is important)
Let me know if this works.
Posted by Diane Ross
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May 28, 2008 4:38 PM
Posted on May 30, 2008 20:20
Wilson:I do everything as instructed and now everything works normal again. Thank's
Posted by Wilson | May 30, 2008 8:20 PM
Posted on June 1, 2008 17:26
William:"I'm stuck. I have moved the files to the trash, now when i open an office app the setup assistant once again pops up. I agree to the license agreement and type in my product key and click continue, but nothing happens."
I'm having the same issues as Jason. Apple + Microsoft = Frustrating!!!
Has anyone found a solution?
Posted by William | June 1, 2008 5:26 PM
Posted on June 1, 2008 17:49
Diane RossDid you modify Office in any way? What about removing any extra languages? See this page for help troubleshooting.
Troubleshoot Install
Most likely you will need to use "Remove Office" and re-install. Read before installing:
Installing Office 2008
Posted by Diane Ross
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June 1, 2008 5:49 PM
Posted on June 1, 2008 22:21
William:I modified a template because spacing in Word was all screwed up--could this have prevented me from having a smooth update?
Posted by William | June 1, 2008 10:21 PM
Posted on June 2, 2008 13:46
Diane RossDid you modify the file or just make a change in the template?
Posted by Diane Ross
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June 2, 2008 1:46 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 13:57
William:I just made a change to the template.
Should Microsoft be addressing this issue already? This is unacceptable. I haven't been able to use any Office application for a few days now.
Posted by William | June 3, 2008 1:57 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 16:46
S Theys:When I got to the register screen it kept asking for me to enter the Product ID which is located in the Help/About menu.
In order to get to that screen you need to be able to start the product.
In order to start the product, you need to first enter the Product ID in the register screen.
In order to get to the Product Id you need to be able to start the program...
You see my problem ?
I followed the instructions for trashing the Office files as described above, now when I enter my serial number the screen just sits there like it needs some further instructions. It doesn't recognize my serial number now.
Apple needs to reinvent the Appleworks programit had years ago, this Office on Mac is a pain in the... neck.
Posted by S Theys | June 3, 2008 4:46 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 17:13
Diane RossLet's be sure we are talking about the same screen. You enter the CD key (orange on the box) when installing. Registration is not required and is not the same as activation on Office for Windows.
The product ID is given during the Setup process. I suggest taking a screenshot. See this page for pictures.
Install Office 2008
I would use "Remove Office" and re-install. For help see: Update Office 2008
Posted by Diane Ross
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June 3, 2008 5:13 PM
Posted on June 3, 2008 19:38
B Glanville:This really ticks me off! I have lost days work as a result of what ever this bug is. I've tried everything as posted and I too could not find -/Users/username/Library/Preferences/Microsoft/Office 2008/Microsoft Office 2008 settings.plist. I deleted, re-installed, used product key. Word will open; Powerpoint states - logon ID invalid and Entourage will not even open. Also an another error message I was getting was that my Safari Keychain could not find my password so I had to re-set to 'defalut-. Everything was working OK until this most reent update (May 2008).
Please HELP!
Posted by B Glanville | June 3, 2008 7:38 PM
Posted on June 4, 2008 17:15
Diane RossI suspect there is some underlying OS file problems. Download the latest Apple combo updater and run it.
Next, Drag the Microsoft Office 2008 folder to the Trash, and then reinstall Office 2008 from your original installation disk. Restart. Update. Restart. Repair Permissions. (restarting is important)
Posted by Diane Ross
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June 4, 2008 5:15 PM
Posted on June 5, 2008 05:31
mitchfielder:when i enter my product code (after deleting the 2 plists) i click continue but nothing happens
the continue button just flashes, and it doesnt continue =/
Posted by mitchfielder | June 5, 2008 5:31 AM
Posted on June 5, 2008 08:49
Balthasar:omg, I just installed office 2008 and I see a lot of advice saying: reinstall. I can't believe this. Just let me skip the newsletter signup, I want to use word. It's not that hard.
Posted by Balthasar | June 5, 2008 8:49 AM
Posted on June 7, 2008 00:31
dd:mitchfielder:
when i enter my product code (after deleting the 2 plists) i click continue but nothing happens
the continue button just flashes, and it doesnt continue =/
This is probably invalid key. Try another, valid key, and it will work.
Posted by dd | June 7, 2008 12:31 AM
Posted on June 11, 2008 04:22
joe:I am having the same trouble as DD, Mitch and others. I've trashed the files but when I attempt to enter the box code the app just sits like a bump on a frog on a log.
Just another reason to switch from this bloated, slow, broken, garbage half-baked Microsoft product to OpenOffice.
Posted by joe | June 11, 2008 4:22 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 08:07
Chaile :Same as lovejini i can not found
/Users/username/library/Preferences/Microsoft/office 2008/Micro Office 2008 settings.plist
I try to put office 2008 to trash & reinstall office 2008 again. If i don't update the SP1 it's fine. Once i update SP1. It will go to office setup assistant when i open any office prog.
Pls help.
Posted by Chaile | June 25, 2008 8:07 AM
Posted on June 25, 2008 18:07
Diane RossI sent you a reply off list. Look for subject: [The Entourage Help Blog] New Comment Added to 'Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac 12.1.1 Update'
Posted by Diane Ross
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June 25, 2008 6:07 PM
Posted on June 27, 2008 09:05
chaile :I have remove office & to follow your 10 steps to reinstall & update. But
it still have the same problem as before.
a. I only can found /Applications/Microsoft Office
2008/Office/OfficePID.plist But cann't found
/Users/username/Library/Perferences/Microsoft/Office 2008/Microsoft Office
2008 settings.plist
b. Now when i open any office file the office setup assistant will come
again & i'm not able to use any office prog.
What i can do now?
Posted by chaile | June 27, 2008 9:05 AM
Posted on June 27, 2008 16:38
Diane RossPlease look for a detailed message sent personally.
Just to cover the bases for anyone following this discussion see these screenshots of the two files:
/Applications/Microsoft Office 2008/Office/OfficePID.plist
/Users/username/Library/Perferences/Microsoft/Office 2008/Microsoft Office 2008 settings.plist
Posted by Diane Ross
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June 27, 2008 4:38 PM
Posted on June 28, 2008 13:00
Chaile :Your 2 pictures is more helpful. I have found the missing file. After delete the missing file. Now everything is OK.
Thanks you so much.
Posted by Chaile | June 28, 2008 1:00 PM
Posted on June 28, 2008 13:58
Diane RossWhew! glad that fixed the problem. I was wondering if this was some odd bug.
Posted by Diane Ross
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June 28, 2008 1:58 PM