Removing one of those two:

My PC (running on Windows XP) came with a gigantic Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003 (766MB). The package includes: MO Publisher, Excel, InfoPath, Outlook, PowerPoint and Word. From this package I use Word and PowerPoint (only to open pps received in emails).

I don't see how I can remove those parts I never use.

I downloaded OpenOffice 3.2 plus LanguageTool (for the grammar checker) and I'm experimenting to see how it works. It works, so far.

Problem is, I can't have both. My disk space has shrunk considerably (only 4.37 GB left). OO's size, with Java and LanguageTool, is aprox. 400MB. I have to remove one of them. I'm tempted to get rid of MO 2003 (too large and underused). However, I need the PowerPoint. After I checked the net, I found out that OO offers PP for free.

Has anyone ever used PP from OO?

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Adagio [scratching head]

alleycat ~ yes, I just did it today. I even removed a couple of programs I never used. I "defragmented" the disk (is there such a word? you know what I mean, disk defragmen... whatever) The disk space reads the same. No, I don't have videos, but I stored some photos. Your suggestion -- to get an external drive -- is great. I'll check this in a store nearby. I guess I must plug this drive in a USB port?

Chris P ~ My machine came with a pre-installed Office. I don't have the disk. No, I can't remove/uninstall components. I checked. When I installed OO, it gave me this option, to customize, and I did it, choosing only the Write feature. I don't need the others. That's what I was thinking to do: download the Presentation from Open Office. How compatible would it be with the pps my friends send me, I have no idea. But if your daughter says she never had problems, then I shouldn't. I'll check again the Open Office site and see other comments related to this feature. It's not the end of the world if I can't see those pps -- I still can open them in my PC at work, but I don't always have the time. And it's nice to have it. Some of the pps with pictures of landscapes from around the world are gorgeous, really a feast for the eye and soul.

Speaking of pps -- do they use a lot of space? I saved some, but I think now that maybe I should delete them. They might be the hogs.


Thank you both

Adagio

ETA: You see, I'm so used to Microsoft Word that I'm a little fearful to just ... remove it. It's like losing an old friend. On the other hand, this Open Office is very nice; it's the excitement to play with something new. And, so far, I can copy text from my old files and past it in OO files.

alleycat -- unrelated to the topic. Your avatars are soooo cute! I'm always looking to seeing some new cat popping up when you post. We love cats, don't we?

My comp is not new. I'm planning to buy a new one, eventually a laptop, more powerful, and with a bigger screen. Until then, I'm still using this. Problem is, Microsoft does automatic updates and I can see that each update has its size. Wondering whether the updates replace the old ones or pile up, eating space.

And something else: when I open OO, it lists the components: Text Doc., Presentation, Database Templates, Open Doc., Spreadheets, Drawing, Formula. I did NOT select Presentation, Spreadsheets, Drawing. Why are they there? And Presentation must be the feature Chris P mentioned. Hum. I should uninstall/reinstall, I guess, to make sure that I don't get those components I will not use.

Ah well, more headaches.

~ PEBKAC - I'll look into everything you suggested as soon as I get home. I'm at work now. I'd never change/remove programs -- I mean by that, I removed programs but never "changed" or removed components. And I don't know what version of MSI it's in there.

~ benbradley - It's a desktop. I've got it for free (minus monitor) from my workplace when they changed our workstations. I had to install the OP and other components -- that was, I think, in 2007. I don't mind buying an external hard drive. Alleycat has assured me that the hookup is simple. To replace the hard, however, with what it entails, I need to hire someone. I can't do it myself. With that cost I'd rather buy something new.

If I decide to keep this one, I'll have to buy a modern screen. Mine is a bulky CRT, heavy and really really old. Sits on top of the machine and takes space on the table I'm using as desk, and it's so heavy!

I'll get back with more details tonight.

Thank you very much,

Adagio

benbradley said:

What size is the drive you have now? What else is on it?

Click to expand...

Total size 18.6GB
Used: 14.2GB
Free: 4.36

Intell Pentium, 547MHz 384MB of RAM
No printer
Windows XP
Besides Microsoft Office 2003 (from which I removed components like Excel, Publisher but it still shows 766MB), I have Open Office (did the same, removed components, it shows the same size 358MB).
Also Adobe Reader 9.2 - quite big, 142MB
Java TM 6 - 97.15MB
Malwarebytes - 4.07MB
Mozila - 28.32MB
Two media players, Internet Explorer, WordWeb (13MB) ... and a couple of other things none exceeding 4-5MB.
I saved pictures and a couple of pps, and some music, but not much, a couple of tunes. No videos.

I was able to open a pps with Open Office. I only wonder why MOS didn't shrink after I removed those components? Ditto with Open Office.

Chris P

Chris P said:

Maybe I'm behind the times, but can you run programs (such as MS Office and Open Office) from an external hard drive?

Click to expand...

I think so, but never tried before. [*breaks into cold sweat, feels like ]

To me, it's obvious that I have to get rid of one of the writing programs.

Thank you all for your suggestions,

Anaquana said:

Do you use Crap Cleaner? It's a great tool that will go through and get rid of random temporary files, clean your registry, delete your cache, and things like that. It should free up at least a little bit of space.

It's just a stop-gap measure, though. As everyone else has said -- you're going to need to get a bigger harddrive.

Click to expand...

Thank you ! It was great, indeed. It did free up some space on the disk.
I'm shopping around. Problem is -- I juggle a couple of big projects: a washer, a trip to Europe (not for vacation but for an emergency), dishwasher repairing, computer, an air-conditioner ... and a couple of smaller ones. That's why I'm still "abusing" the old computer until that day comes!

DragonHeart said:

Check your default download folder, too. You may find a ton of old .exe or .zip files from downloading and updating programs. They can take up a lot of space.

Click to expand...

I thought about it. But how can I access the default download folder? Truth to tell, I'm very tired at the moment and I can't think straight. I see this download box popping up all the time but how can I access it?
I know, I'm one of those.

Adagio [ashamed]