The product key i was given with my Netbook (windows xp) is not accepted when entering it into microsoft offic?

As indicated by the other responders, the product key on the netbook is for the operating system.

The cheapest legal solution would be to install openoffice... I've never tried it, but it's allegedly comparable with MS Office and will open MS Office files.

Or here's a great value offer:

If you or any family member is a student of a school, college or university then you are eligible to buy Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007 at £43.95 for installation on upto 2 PC's.

That's a full edition, not the Home & Student edition.

It has Excel; Word; Outlook; Access; Communicator; PowerPoint; InfoPath and Publisher...

If you want OneNote 2007 you'll need the Enterprise edition at £50.95

Software4Students is a certified Microsoft partner - google it!

You purchased the computer and Win 7 not Office or Word. Word is a trial copy only. You need to purchase the key from Microsoft. __ Also, there are no free downloads of Word. You have to purchase it either in a store, or buy a key from MS. Any "free" copy is a pirated version. Using a keygen is also pirating the software.

The product key on the botton of the notebook is for Windows XP, not Office (read the sticker, it says Windows XP). You actually have to buy Microsoft Office separately. No computer comes with Microsoft Office; they only come with a trial of office.

Product keys stamped on the actual computer are not for Office software but for the pre-loaded Operating System. If you do not have installation CD for Office then you need to purchase.

THAT product key is for Windows XP, the operating system, itself. It has nothing to do with applications such as Office or Outlook. You'll have to pay for these software to get the key.

The only way of 'sorting it out' is to purchase the MS Office package and key

Otherwise as already suggested, opt for Open Office which has many features similar to MS Office and is FREE.