BleepingComputer.com: Cannot Install Office 2003 Small Business

A few weeks ago (right after I installed Norton 360), I started getting messages on my computer that the updates failed for excel and word. Right after that, I noticed that every time I opened excel, I would get the "preparing to install" box and the program would ask me to insert the disk. Every time I did that, the program(s) would work fine until I shut down the computer. Then, the problem would start all over again. THEN, I noticed that the computer was updating with EVERY boot and the same two updates would fail. After dealing with this for a few weeks, I decided to try repairing the program. While trying to un-install the program, I started getting the message "Cannot access registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run/OptionalComponents/MSFS. Since then, I have been unable to either uninstall or re-install the program.

I would wager that since the error started right after installing Norton 360, that Norton 360 is responsible. Have you tried uninstalling Norton?

You will also need to run the Norton Removal Tool
Uninstalling Norton through add/remove programs does not completely remove the program

I've seen that happen with corporate editions of office, in order to update your office, it insists on your office disks as proof of ownership, I do not know of any other way around this....it's a M$ thing, other than to pop in your office disk and let it finish the update