I don't understand this. If you try to install the service pack, and you don't have either the installation files saved or the original disks, the service pack shouldn't install at all. You should still be able to use Excel. How can you uninstall something (the service pack) that didn't install in the first place? Do you have a hacked version of Office XP? If that's the case, you can hardly complain about Microsoft. Microsoft is very good about providing replacement media for a nominal fee. Didn't they tell you that? As a technician, I've run into trying to update Office without the original disks. It pretty much can't be done unless, perhaps, you're a particularly good hacker. If you do manage to borrow media to install the service pack, it has to be exactly the same version. For example, if you have an OEM version of Office XP Standard Edition, you'll need the disks for that. If you have a retail version of Office XP Small Business with Publisher, you'll need the disks for those. There are probably more than a dozen different combinations of editions just for the United States. I recommend this to anyone: If you install Office XP or a newer version, unless you have a tiny hard drive, make sure to leave the installation files on your computer. This is an option at the end of the installation routine. Joel Bill wrote: I am using XP OPERATING SYSTEM and OFFICE 2002. My problem: Not being alert I downloaded Office-XP-SP3; all went fine; then I found that the update would not load unless I had the original disk. I contacted MS and they were of no help; only saying to insert the original disk. Now I am unable to use Excel since I am not even allowed to uninstall the update. Since I do not have the original disk I am faced with removing the program and making a purchase. My fear now, since I can't install or remove the update, that MS may even deny me the removal option. The approach that MS has is very highhanded and now places me in the category of people who resent their general approach to people problems. Any assistance will be appreciated Bill -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.7.0/346 - Release Date: 5/23/2006 ************************************************************* You are receiving this mail because you subscribed to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx or MicrosoftOffice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To send mail to the group, simply address it to mso@xxxxxxxxxxxxx To Unsubscribe from this group, visit the group's homepage and use the dropdown menu at the top. This will allow you to unsubscribe your email address or change your email settings to digest or vacation (no mail). //www.freelists.org/webpage/mso To be able to use the files section for sharing files with the group, send a request to mso-moderators@xxxxxxxxxxxxx and you will be sent an invitation with instructions. Once you are a member of the files group, you can go here to upload/download files: http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/msofiles If you are using Outlook and you see a lot of unnecessary code in your email messages, read these instructions that explain why and how to fix it: http://personal-computer-tutor.com/abc3/v28/greg28.htm *************************************************************