Installing Microsoft office 2004
 

I have installed Microsoft office 2004 on my Mac Mini 1.4 with 10.5.8 installed, with 1 GB ram. The install went as expected, got the congratulations etc....... but its not there, any one know what's going on?

In the Finder, use the Go menu to select Applications (or press Command-Shift-A). You should see a folder called Microsoft Office 2004. Optionally, you may want to open that folder and add applications to the Dock by dragging them into it.

Its not there

Then I would suggest using Spotlight (the magnifying glass icon at the top right of the screen) to search for Word or Excel or PowerPoint. Assuming it finds one of them, highlight the search result, then press Command-Return. This will reveal the file in the Finder and you'll then know where Office is located and be able to move it (if you'd like).

Nope, finding nothing

Okay, then. If my memory serves from the last time I installed Office 2004, the disc has both an installer and a folder of all the necessary items. Is it possible that you inserted the disc then launched one of the applications (say, Word) from within that folder which has all the items? If so, then you didn't actually install Office onto your Mac. Simply insert the disc then copy that folder to your Mac (any place is fine but most folks prefer to install in Applications). I guess since Office isn't showing on your Mac you should do this no matter what.

Yes there are two ways to install, drag the folder onto the hard disc, and use the assistant for the install, I did both

I have to ask: Have you looked at the location where you dragged the Office folder to see if it's there? I mean, if you copied it to your Mac—a process which should take a minute or three—the folder should be there. Also, since it can never hurt and seems to fix a large number of the issues we all encounter, have you restarted?

This is weard, I have never in the 20 years of installing apps on a Mac has this happened. I have installed it now 5 times, all different custom, and defalt installations. Directed the installation into my Applications folder, and it says "Installation complete Congratulations" but it isn't there, no where on my hard disc is "Microsoft Office 2004"

Have a look in YourUserName/Applications in case it somehow was installed there instead of in /Applications. It's possible there's no Applications folder in your user folder, but it's worth checking. Also, in the event that you do another installation, keep an eye on how much of your hard drive space is used before and after. That's an indirect way of assessing if an installation actually takes place.

Failing the above step, do you know how to hide/show invisible files? I'm wondering if the Office folder is somehow getting created with a period at the beginning of its name, thus hiding it from you and Spotlight. I've never heard of that happening, but I've also never heard of what you're experiencing.

Last night I installed it again, even though I asked it to be put in the Applications folder, it did go into the Hard drive. All the files are there, but now get the error message "Word cannot load the Microsoft Office sharred libries", same message for Excel and Powerpoint.

Permissions
 

Hi,

I would use Disk Utility to repair permissions and restart. If no improvement, download and run Yasu in the default mode to clear the caches and restart.

http://download.cnet.com/Yasu/3000-1...-10671537.html

If still no improvement, use Tinkertool to make invisible files visible and see if the MS office folder is where is should be. If it is now visible, run the "remove office" installer, restart, and install again. Make sure that you are installing with an Administrator account.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Nick

That 'shared libraries' error typically means that Office is installed in the wrong location, or that the MS apps, or other folders/files are not in the Microsoft Office 2004 folder.
Just for a test, can you copy ANYTHING into your /Applications folder?
Also, what happens if you simply drag the Microsoft Office 2004 folder from its present location, to the /Applications folder? Will the system allow you to do that?

Have you EVER had MS Office installed and working on your mini, prior to this present mystery?

BTW, the "Remove Office" installer is in the Microsoft Office 2004/Additional Tools/Remove Office folder.

I have put it into the applications folder, and did delete the "Remove Office" and "Additional Tools"
I get the same message

You said you deleted both the app and the folder.
Did you run the Remove Office app first?
Remove Office is the Office uninstaller, and would delete all Office files and folders, including the Microsoft Office 2004 folder.
Did that actually happen?

I would suggest if you run a Repair Permissions, that you also boot to your OS X installer DVD, and run Disk Utility from there, choosing Repair Disk (not Repair Disk Permissions)

I didn't run "Remove Office" before I trashed it.
I didn't delete Microsoft Office 2004 folder.
I'll try the Disk utility.

Update office
 

Hi,

Sorry, I just remembered MS Office 2004 will not run with OSX10.5.8 without being updated first (it will give a Shared Library error). Even the Auto updater update will not work, which is a pain.

However, you can install the MS Auto updater manually from here, then keep updating until there are no more available, then it should all work.

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloa...8931CA5#viewer

Regards,

Nick

That link doesn't work, but I went into the Microsoft Office updates site, and downloaded 6 2004 updates, but when tried to install them, I get a msg "Can not find the correct version of software required, etc"

Updates
 

Hi,

Not sure what the problem is, as the link in the page works fine for me, so maybe it is session cookie.

Anyhow, the updates must be applied in the correct order or you will get the message. It is easier to install the correct auto update and let the auto update sort things out. The updates for Office 2008 and 2011 will also give the error message.

The Auto update for 2004 is called "AutoUpdate for Office 2004 for Mac" and is shown under "additional tools" the the web page:

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads

Hope this works.

Regards,

Nick

This link is the one I went into to get all the updates, and yes, i tried updating in order.

how close are you to Ingatestone UK?

OK...
The updater probably needs to have Office correctly installed in the Applications folder.
Run the Remove Office app.
You may need to install Office again to be able to run the Remove Office app.
Do not try to run or update Office yet.
Once Office is uninstalled, using the Remove Office app - reinstall Office. I would suggest the installer, and not copying the MS Office folder.
The first updater that you need to install is that Autoupdate for Office 2004. Again, don't try to use any Office apps until you complete the updates. Let the Autoupdate app sort out which updates are needed. You'll run through all 6 updates, one at a time.

Updates
 

Hi,

Follow DeltaMac's concise instructions, assuming that you have previously repaired the permissions.

Google Maps says I am 50 miles from Ingatestone UK.

Regards,

Nick

I have followed all the instructions, and still doesn't work. I'm giving up, I'll just resort to appleworks. Thanks all for your help, I really appreciate it.
Paul

One last try...
 

Hi,

Before you give up, open Console and select to view all messages. Now try the Auto updater installer and see if anything relevant comes up in the Console messages. Try Word too, and see what Console says.

Regards,

Nick

I did.......

There were several steps there, and for the benefit of others who may see this thread, it would be good to know what worked, and what didn't... instead of the rather-generic "... doesn't work."
Could the Remove Office app run?
Could the Office installer complete (which would normally add the various apps icons to your Dock?)
Could you install the Autoupdate app?

When you checked the console, was there some relevant results there that you can share (more than 'I did.....') :D

ok, I trashed all Microsoft Office 2004 files, just kept the dmg of the updates.
Reinstalled it again, succesful, congratulations message!
looked for the install, no where to be found, not on my computer, no files, nowhere. so in frustration I give up...maybe I'll buy a 2008 version.

Genuine installer Disk ?
 

Hi,

I assume that you are using a genuine MS installer disk with a hologram label, and not a "dodgy" copy or a fake with a dummy installer which is actually installing mallware ? It all seems a bit strange !

Regards,

Nick

Yes, I have used it on a couple of installations since 2004

Nick, you echoed my thoughts....
Unless your hard drive directory is really messed up - the alternate "drag the MS Office 2004 folder to your Applications folder" copies that folder, and all MS apps and support files to your Applications folder - and the folder doesn't just disappear - it copies to the location that you choose (assuming that you own the folder, and have permission to write to that folder. That's why I asked if something else that you choose, would actually copy to the Applications folder, and you didn't say if you tried that.
I think the bottom line here is:
Assuming that you have that 'Genuine MS installer', what else is going on that is not related to Microsoft, and perhaps prevents you from installing ANYTHING properly?

Run Smart Utility http://www.volitans-software.com/smart_utility.php to verify drive. It's free to use for 30 days.

Run Repair Permissions and Repair Disk while booted from your OSX Install CD.