Looked before i leaped, need help?
 

Ok so my brother was experiencing problems with his computer and decieded it was time to reinstall the OS which is windows. So he took my XP home CD and wiped his computer clean, reinstalled windows only to realize his HP came with XP media center. Thus the activation Codes won't work. Just wondering is there any cheap way, maybe through Microsoft to exchange a Media Code to a Home code, provided you make sure the code no longer in use is destoryed. Or will we be forced to either

A Obtain a version of Microsoft 05 media
B buy a new license for XP home(merry xmas?! lol)

any and all input is helpful

When my copy of XP home ran out of times its code could be used, I called up Microsoft at the number provided for on-the-phone product activation and asked for more instances. The woman asked how many machines this copy of XP was running on, and when I said none, she gave me the code again. Maybe they'd make you an exception, give you a code?

M$ hates swapping keys, even on site license installs vs retail disks for the same OS.

If all else fails, use the key for the machine the original was installed on (the home machine, not the media center key). If it hasn't hit the activation database in ~6 months, they usually just allow the activation to go through without a hitch, no need to call.

The key code for the Disc is installed on my computer im currently using. Does that matter?

why not re-install his with the version of windows it came with? Most PCs come with either a windows install disk OR a repair disk that returns it to factory defaults. His machine may even have a hidden partition that you can use to restore from (if you haven't trashed that as well).

RE the codes - of course it matters. Technically, there is nothing stopping you installing your windows on his box, but legally, YOU bought a license for XP Home for your computer and HE bought a (probably OEM) license for XP Media Center.

edit: and here's a link that discusses how to restore:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/d...cname=bph07143

i don't know where his recovery disks are he probably left them in his dorm at college.

Hypothetically speaking, lets say i found a couple of files that would give me windows xp media center 2005. If i were to download these would i be doing anything wrong, seeing how we have a license to use the product?

Firstly let me state - I am not a lawyer, nor in the USA, so take this with the grain of salt it deserves. If you are going to get the media from a 'third party' beware of viruses and other nasties. Most torrent sites have a comments area and it is worth reviewing these to see if there are issues with the download.

RE the legality - personally I think if you *have* a license you should be able to use whatever media you can find, as long as it matches the CD key you are using, but I'd suggest that is not exactly the position a lawyer would take. The HP link above should at least give you an idea of cost for replacing the media (if available) - whether you choose to go this way or via a third party site has to be a call you make.

Download the Windows XP Media Center CD from a torrent site and use his valid key with it that came with the computer. If it doesn't work, call Microsoft and ask for a new one. You are doing nothing illegal and nothing unethical.

This is true. There is nothing illegal about having backup media. The legality comes in key distribution or getting around it :)

I agree with luciferase75, downloading the software is not illegal, in fact Microsoft would love for you to download it. As long as you are using a valid and legally obtained key, which if you have one on the machine he is using you do, everything is on the up and up.

Even if you have to call them to get the key to work again just explain to them that you had to do a wipe and they will let it go through or give you a replacement. I had to do this with a machine I was fixing for an inlaw. Just called and told them I had to completely reinstall and they gave me a reuped code.

On some install disks, it will install whatever version the code you enter during install corresponds to. Obviously not with your one. If you used just the windows install disk, and didn't use a third party tool to partition the drive, the HP restore partition should still be intact. Try hitting F10 or F11 during POST to get to it. If you've ever installed Linux though your MBR loses that functionality.