I need Computer help and advice!

Here's the situation. I have a Dell Inspiron 15" laptop. A nice computer about three years old. No problems until this October. First problem was what appeared to be virus and spyware infection. Dummy, I let my McFee suite expire and failed to renew. I decided to take to my local computer "repair" business for evaluation and cleanup. This was done and seemed OK. This shop installed free edition of AVG and Malwarebytes. I was happy.

Now to second problem about two weeks out from receiving computer back. I had what is generically called a "blue screen" error message and computer would not log on properly to desktop. So back to shot for another evaluation. I debated about a new computer but I hated the thought of the expense plus learning a new computer. Please excuse my poor description as I am not a computer person. Anyway, I pick up my computer this week and all seems well until I try to access my Word and Excel files. I can't do it because it appears they need a MS document number for reloading and authentication. I have no idea where this is. Am I dead inthe water? I have talked with the shop about this and feel I am just left hanging here.

So, can some savvy computer person advise what my options are if I am unable to locate this MS number? BTW, the files are in "My Documents". They just will not open.

Sorry to be longwinded and thanks for reading and all advice is much appreciated.

TD

 

It sounds like some of your Office files got corrupted, so you need to reinstall Microsoft Office. If Excel and Word are on your computer, you must have installed it at some point and should have the discs.
The shop can't fix this for you unless you give them your copy because Office isn't free.

 

Until you get it figured out you can download and install Open Office. This will at least allow you to work with those files.

 

MS document number? I'm not sure what you might be referring to. Would that be the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity number? Is Microsoft saying you need to activate Microsoft Office? If that is the case and you bought your computer new from Dell and Microsoft Office came installed, amongst the CDs you received from Dell, there should be a copy of Microsoft Office. You can insert that CD and follow the prompts to do a repair install. Failing that, download Belarc Advisor, run it and it should be able to detect the product key for Microsoft Office. Make a note of it and see if you can find an OEM copy of the same version of Office, do a repair install using your product key.
Now this is in the gray area of Microsoft licensing rules, I think, but as long as you are using your product key and doing a repair install on the original machine, I don't see where Microsoft should get their panties all bunched up and send the Microcops around to visit you.