old software into new system

I have had to do a complete recovery of my hard-drive on my newer system, and being a novice, just realized that I have completely lost my "Microsoft Office Suite" when trying to pull up a former "Word" document I had saved to a disk...it pulled up in a "Notepad" document. In re-installing other tools such as my printer, and wireless connection, I had no difficulty and things went very smoothly...but now I have 2 different disks that I have tried to re-install...Office 97 and Word 97, that may or may not have come with this system...I have upgraded several times over the last few years...but am running into a problem and get stopped when having to enter the "CD KEY." It does not give me the option to overide...just to exit and reinstall later. I do not have the original cases these CD's came in and apparently that is where this "key #" was located. Would there be a way for me to bypass this, and install anyway...or will I be forced to buy new software? Keep in mind...I am by no means a "techi" here...but I do have a good working knowledge, and . I appreciate any help you can provide.

You will need the installation IDs for the programs to complete the
installation. See if this page helps - although it may not if your software
came with your original computer (OEM):

You may find the following Microsoft Knowledge Base Article applies:

How to Replace Lost, Broken, or Missing Microsoft Software or Hardware.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;[ln];326246



--�
Milly Staples [MVP - Outlook]

Post all replies to the group to keep the discussion intact. Due to
the (insert latest virus name here) virus, all mail sent to my personal
account will be deleted without reading.

After searching google.groups.com and finding no answer, Patti asked:

| I have had to do a complete recovery of my hard-drive on my newer
| system, and being a novice, just realized that I have completely lost
| my "Microsoft Office Suite" when trying to pull up a former "Word"
| document I had saved to a disk...it pulled up in a "Notepad"
| document. In re-installing other tools such as my printer, and
| wireless connection, I had no difficulty and things went very
| smoothly...but now I have 2 different disks that I have tried to
| re-install...Office 97 and Word 97, that may or may not have come
| with this system...I have upgraded several times over the last few
| years...but am running into a problem and get stopped when having to
| enter the "CD KEY." It does not give me the option to overide...just
| to exit and reinstall later. I do not have the original cases these
| CD's came in and apparently that is where this "key #" was located.
| Would there be a way for me to bypass this, and install anyway...or
| will I be forced to buy new software? Keep in mind...I am by no
| means a "techi" here...but I do have a good working knowledge, and .
| I appreciate any help you can provide.