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Cannot install iWork '09

This is frustrating...

I have an iMac that came with a trial version of iWork '09. Once it expired, I purchased a retail box version. According to Apple, the full version should install over the trial - no serial number needed.

Unfortunately, when launching any of the programs, they ask me for a serial number - which, of course, I don't have since the retail version does not include any s/n.

I've read thru multiple posts on this forum about others who have had the same issue - and the solution (but only for some) seems to be deleting the remnants of any prior iWork from the mac and installing fresh from the disc. This has not worked for me.

I've deleted everything I can find in the main Library, user Library folders - including applications, .plist files, application support, templates, packages, etc. Restarting, repairing permissions, etc still with failure to install from disc - asking for a serial number.

So, I tried installing the retail version on my laptop, which also has a trial version of iWork '09 - it installed fine. Encouraged, I then reinstalled the iWork '09 trial back onto my iMac - then installed the retail disc - still with the s/n problem.

Any other suggestions? Running OS 10.5.8

Thanks -

2X3GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Oct 21, 2009 4:49 PM

30 replies

Swanesy

Level 1

0 points

Nov 2, 2009 9:58 AM in response to Michael Cucka

I followed the suggestions of previous posts and deleted the suggested .plist files from the HD and I also deleted the Application Support section of iWork as suggested and successfully managed to install iWork with no more problems. Not even a rebooting! Thanks for all the posts

Muston

Level 1

0 points

Nov 4, 2009 11:14 PM in response to Swanesy

Thanks - this worked for me....

flxjx

Level 1

0 points

Nov 13, 2009 12:51 PM in response to Xeri

Xeri - I deleted all these files without removing the dock items restarted and it worked. Thanks.

Nov 18, 2009 9:23 PM in response to jonesdh

I did ALL of those steps and I get the same thing. I've reinstalled at least 8 times now.

I appreciate everyone's comments and thanks for trying. I have absolutely no time to go to Apple for the next several days, but I guess I'll have to find time. All I wanted to do is install and get to work, but have wasted a few hours trying to get it to work, so I can work.

Maybe they'll be able to work some sort of magic to get it to work.

Nov 18, 2009 9:39 PM in response to Timothy Valentine

Apple offers full installation support, by all means use it.

P.

Nov 19, 2009 4:33 AM in response to Timothy Valentine

As the OP, I'm in the same position you are - nothing has allowed me to get iW '09 to install.

I eventually simply went back to iW '08, which works well enough for now - and installed 😉

If Apple fixes your install, please post here to let us know what worked for you.

Thanks -

Nov 26, 2009 3:11 PM in response to Michael Cucka

I had the same problem. I had installed iWork 09 Trial previously, and purchased a DVD copy of iWork 09 Family -- wouldn't install without asking me to purchase a serial number. I finally solved by the problem by doing the following:

rm -rf /Library/Application\ Support/iWork\ \'09/
rm -rf /Library//Receipts/iWork09.pkg
rm -rf /Library//Receipts/iWork09Trial.pkg
rm -rf /Library/Documentation/Help/iWorkFunctionsHelp.help
rm -rf /Library/QuickLook/iWork.qlgenerator
rm -rf /Library/Spotlight/iWork.mdimporter
rm -rf /Applications/iWork\ \'09

then reinstall from DVD. Launched Pages and it worked.

jsxlee

Level 1

0 points

Dec 14, 2009 10:48 PM in response to warren222

Thanks Warren. Your solution works fine! I also took out the 3 shortcut from the dock, empty the trash.... Just to make sure it is completely clean. Then reinstall from DVD and then it works.

Thanks!

Dec 25, 2009 5:24 PM in response to warren222

Nothing worked for me, except Warren's instructions above. To open a terminal, use the Finder to search for "terminal". When typing the commands he listed, you can use the Tab key to auto-complete the file names.

Thanks!

Jan 2, 2010 12:18 PM in response to Michael Cucka

I used the command line as suggested by warren and that worked for me. I may have mistyped one of the commands as the iWork application folder was still in place. I trashed it and emptied the trash and was able to install.

KOENIG Yvan

Level 8

41,807 points

Jan 2, 2010 12:25 PM in response to Ivan Prince

Users which bought the beast before Snow Leopard delivery never hit such a behaviour.

I'm not sure that Apple's engineers are aware of this new behaviour 😟

Yvan KOENIG (VALLAURIS, France) samedi 2 janvier 2010 21:25:05

Jan 13, 2010 3:21 PM in response to South Sider

I deleted the files listed by warren22 as well as going through the User and HD libraries & manually deleting any iWork files I could possibly find in Application Support, Preferences, etc. folders & it finally works! Thanks for the help all!

zarathu

Level 3

609 points

Jan 19, 2010 5:39 PM in response to warren222

I tried everything short of reinstalling Snow Leopard, until I found Warren22's solution.

Worked totally. You da' bomb, Warren

Thanks

zarathu

Level 3

609 points

Jan 19, 2010 5:49 PM in response to KOENIG Yvan

RE: Users which bought the beast before Snow Leopard delivery never hit such a behaviour.

Not true! I have 10.4.11 installed on my old Powerbook 800. I installed the trial 09, and then tried to install the box version, and got the same problem as my MacBook pro

KOENIG Yvan

Level 8

41,807 points

Jan 19, 2010 10:24 PM in response to zarathu

I must apologize.
I was unable to test the in thebox version.
I installed the downloaded installer and bought a registration code.

Yvan KOENIG (VALLAURIS, France) mercredi 20 janvier 2010 07:23:48

Cannot install iWork '09