Vista - Office Install - Computer can't locate valid program

I'm trying to install software on new HP laptop with Vista Home Premium. My
version of Office XP is an upgrade; the original full edition is very
old...Office 3.0. Had trouble loading Office 3.0 so I used the Vista program
conversion to get it to load. When the program was loading, it never asked
for a Product ID. Then when I loaded the Office XP upgrade (which DID ask
for a Product ID), it says that it can't local a valid program (or some such
wording indicating that it's looking for the full version). I really don't
want to have to buy another full version of Office since I've already paid
for it once and for subsequent upgrades. How can I get it to recognize the
software I already own?

Thanks.

pop your old version in the CD player tell the newer version to look at your
cd player to find the older copy as proof for upgrade, put your upgrade back
in the cd and it should install

"Zemassi" wrote:

> I'm trying to install software on new HP laptop with Vista Home Premium. My
> version of Office XP is an upgrade; the original full edition is very
> old...Office 3.0. Had trouble loading Office 3.0 so I used the Vista program
> conversion to get it to load. When the program was loading, it never asked
> for a Product ID. Then when I loaded the Office XP upgrade (which DID ask
> for a Product ID), it says that it can't local a valid program (or some such
> wording indicating that it's looking for the full version). I really don't
> want to have to buy another full version of Office since I've already paid
> for it once and for subsequent upgrades. How can I get it to recognize the
> software I already own?
>
> Thanks.