amenditman Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 I am doing a reinstall on my wife's computer, first time since we bought it new in 2002. Of course, there were never any discs. Not usually a problem with XP, I have lots of discs laying around. This one happens to be XP Media Center Edition and I don't have a disc or image on file. Two questions 1 - Can I just use an XP Pro disc and do it, will it accept the COA from MCE? Will it validate and update correctly? 2 - Do the digitalriver download links from XP editions still work and does anyone know the correct link for XP Media Center Edition? Thanks for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) What kind of computer does your wife have amenditman? The Google results for that type of thing, even a trial are peppered with: In response to a complaint we received under the US Digital Millennium Copyright Act, we have removed 1 result(s) from this page. If you wish, you may read the DMCA complaint that caused the removal(s) at ChillingEffects.org. So you have a License key that is valid for the Windows XP MCE but no disk. I haven't seen a disk for MCE. Only XP Home, XP Professional. I have seen recovery CDs for MCE but your CODA wouldn't likely work with those either. Unfortunately I don't have any of those either regardless. I wonder if Corrine knows of any legitimate places to get XP Media Center Edition disks that you could punch in your legal key. Edited May 9, 2012 by LilBambi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amenditman Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 Originally this was an emachines computer. But, I have changed out the motherboard, cpu, and ram. So, I guess Eric would call this one of my famous Dr. Frankenputer machines. I remember seeing discs at one point, but it was a long time ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tushman Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 There is no legal download. The only such downloads you will find on the internet are by illegitimate means (e.g. bit torrent). Your best bet is to contact the OEM. I have the recovery discs for WinXP MCE for a couple of OEM brands - nowhere did I find a better response than to contact the corresponding vendor/support for the original discs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amenditman Posted May 9, 2012 Author Share Posted May 9, 2012 The digitalriver download links are legal, direct from Microsoft. You just need to know the exact link to use as they are not named but numbered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tushman Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) The digitalriver download links are legal, direct from Microsoft. You just need to know the exact link to use as they are not named but numbered. AFAIK, the digital river download links are for retail or internet based transaction items. If you've purchased the OS installation disc through such means, I'm sure MS could provide you with the exact download link. Edited May 9, 2012 by Tushman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 The only link I'm aware of is How to replace Microsoft software or hardware, order service packs, and replace product manuals. I do not think you will be able to find the information here on the forums since anything that is legitimate is not available. I have no idea or information about digitalriver downloads for operating systems. The only thing I know about are Trials of Microsoft software not OSes from them; except for Anytime Upgrades to Windows 7. I would remind folks who post in this topic about Forum Rules #5: Copyrights, Illegal Material, and Links Offsite 5. Do not ask for, offer to supply, or post links to, copies of commercial software, MP3s, movies, CD Keys, Product Keys, Serial Numbers, etc. or other intellectual property for which you do not hold the copyright. Do not ask for or post information about or link to anything unlawful. This includes but is not limited to copies of pirated commercial software, commercial music files, movies, and other intellectual property. Do not post any information, or link to any site that contains information, intended to violate the Terms of Service or End User License Agreement of any service, product, or application. Do not request or provide password hacks or cracks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 There are some good values for sealed in box Windows XP on eBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted May 9, 2012 Share Posted May 9, 2012 Speaking of good deals... There's a thrift store here in Tampa that is sponsored by The Spring, a women's shelter. I try to stop in there once a month or so to see what goodies they have. I'm not kidding now, but just today I saw this classic video for just .50¢... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amenditman Posted May 10, 2012 Author Share Posted May 10, 2012 That's a gem. Better put that on the bookshelf next to Windows 95 for Dummies. By the way. I did the install with a generic OEM Windows XP Pro with SP3 disc and it activated and validated for downloads just fine. When I bought this computer I don't think SP1 had been released yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LilBambi Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Great! Glad you got that taken care of and it validated fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross549 Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 Speaking of good deals... There's a thrift store here in Tampa that is sponsored by The Spring, a women's shelter. I try to stop in there once a month or so to see what goodies they have. I'm not kidding now, but just today I saw this classic video for just .50¢... And on VHS too! Nice! Adam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V.T. Eric Layton Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 @ Amenditman... I don't have a Win 95 for Dummies. I do have a Windows 98 Visually, though. Great book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldago Posted May 10, 2012 Share Posted May 10, 2012 This trick requires that you have the current Windows key for your version of the operating system. Do a search on your system for the file winnt32.exe which is usually in your I386 file. Double-click the file and the installation program will appear and you can reinstall from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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