Posted: 3/2/2009 5:16:23 PM EDT
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I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to this question...but...
Recently somebody brought me their PC to fix, said it was asking for a Windows CD and wouldn't boot. So I get it, power it on, and hear clicking from the hard drive...it's dead. They no longer have the discs that came with the computer (of course), and it's XP Media Center 2005. The computer, which is a Gateway, still has the XP MC 2005 license sticker on it... Is there any way to get new media without having to buy a whole new OS/License from M$? I figure probably not. |
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Quoted:
I'm pretty sure I already know the answer to this question...but... Recently somebody brought me their PC to fix, said it was asking for a Windows CD and wouldn't boot. So I get it, power it on, and hear clicking from the hard drive...it's dead. They no longer have the discs that came with the computer (of course), and it's XP Media Center 2005. The computer, which is a Gateway, still has the XP MC 2005 license sticker on it... Is there any way to get new media without having to buy a whole new OS/License from M$? I figure probably not. This... The key should be on the machine. |
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Quoted:
Yes call miscroshit and the will give you a license number - may take a bit but you can get it I have the key, but no media. I know I can download it with a torrent, but I try to refrain from torrents unless it's shareware/freeware. And I agree, I'd be totally justified - but I have a feeling Microsoft would feel otherwise. |
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Quoted:
Personally, I think you're entirely justified in just downloading it via a torrent. They own it, you just need the media. Do that, and be done with it. yeah, you could also call gateway and see if they will send another CD. but you don't have to buy anything b/c that computer already has a licence to have that version of XP |
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Quoted: Quoted: Yes call miscroshit and the will give you a license number - may take a bit but you can get it I have the key, but no media. I know I can download it with a torrent, but I try to refrain from torrents unless it's shareware/freeware. And I agree, I'd be totally justified - but I have a feeling Microsoft would feel otherwise. I've done that before with Media Center '05, and XP Home. Just be sure to find one that fits your code and doesn't have any viruses/spyware added. |
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My experience with Microsoft is...........you're screwed.
I understand the whole software piracy issue, but they are complete dicks. They have a virtual monopoly on the OS options and they know it. I had to simply re-load XP from the partitioned drive where it was located (factory configured, no "real" CD provided of course), due to it fucking up and doing shit that XP "doesn't do", and they treated me like I was the Captain of the Pirate Ship when I tried to "activate" it. |
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Quoted:
Personally, I think you're entirely justified in just downloading it via a torrent. They own it, you just need the media. Do that, and be done with it. Agree. MS claims I've installed too many times, so rather than call India, I torrent a cool install and be on my merry way. If you can't get a decent torrent, get nLite to slipstream in all of the hotfixes, drivers, and config items in one shot. m |