DescentBB

Ok, few questions,

Just bought a new HP laptop (Oh man they are sweet). I selected Media Center 2005 for an OS and on the bottom of the laptop is the key for \"Media Center 2005\" but in system properties it says:

Microsoft Windows XP
Media Center Edition
Version 2002
Service Pack 2

So did they mess up and put an old version of Media Center on the PC?

Also I will probably end up wiping the laptop and startnig over, HP took 10GB and created a lame backup partition (That is protected can't do anything with it). I have the factory restore discs but they are not the same format as my store bought WinXP Home discs (No setup.exe)

So can I burn the I386 folder? Is that the Windows Setup folder? I have my CD Key, but no windows install disc. How do I create one or how do I get one through MS? Since I already payed for the key with the laptop does it cost money to do this through MS?

Thanks!

if you own a legal copy of something i think it's ok if you donwload a version from a torrent. Sorta like if you download a song or an emu you have in your house already.

Microsoft generally does not care in the slightest what media you use to install windows. And windows can be installed from anywhere, a network share, a hard drive, a USB drive, etc (note you can not format a hard drive that you are installing from for obvious reasons). All you need is the boot disks for it to work, I am not sure but I think you can still get them from the Microsoft website.

What's the model number of the laptop? Actually, the product number would be better (on the bottom, serial number sticker).

Call HP and request the Windows install discs. Worked for me when I called Dell.

DCrazy wrote:Call HP and request the Windows install discs. Worked for me when I called Dell.

That's because Dells ship with seperate Windows and driver/application disks. Some HP's did/do as well, but the majority have recovery disks that automagically re-image the factory software back onto the hard drive.

I requested them and got the restore discs. Isn't there a link on MS's site for replacement discs incase they were broken etc?

OEM support is through the computer manufacturer (HP), not Microsoft. Gimme the model number / product number and I might be able to tell you how to get rid of the restore partition w/o re-formatting.

JMEaT wrote:I requested them and got the restore discs. Isn't there a link on MS's site for replacement discs incase they were broken etc?

Yes, right here. However, this is likely for stuff purchased from Microsoft, not the specific HP install disks that you may be looking for, but hopefully it will give you a place to start. (I also recommend calling HP and asking them for the disks)

Flatlander wrote:OEM support is through the computer manufacturer (HP), not Microsoft. Gimme the model number / product number and I might be able to tell you how to get rid of the restore partition w/o re-formatting.

It is an HP dv9000t.

Flatlander wrote:

DCrazy wrote:Call HP and request the Windows install discs. Worked for me when I called Dell.

That's because Dells ship with seperate Windows and driver/application disks. Some HP's did/do as well, but the majority have recovery disks that automagically re-image the factory software back onto the hard drive.

They stopped doing that for mid-level machines a while ago; when my mom bought a Dell laptop they shipped her a "recovery" CD and the manual explicitly stated "You don't need the Windows XP disc, as the recovery CD restores your computer to the state it was in when you received it from Dell."

To which I said BS and called Dell who agreed to send the real XP CD with no hassle.

I'm speaking with HP now and they said they are escalating the issue? I guess this grunt doesn't understand me...

EDIT: I'm being told I have to buy a whole version of Windows from a store. they canot send me the disc???

JMEaT wrote:It is an HP dv9000t.

Ack, a CTO - I can't find anything specific enough on it. If you run the HP restore, it might give you an option to remove the restore partition. If you didn't get restore disks with it, make sure you create them first (you can only do this once!). If you do decide to wipe it and install your own copy of Windows, you can find drivers here (but note that since it's a CTO, this is listing all possible options, so you don't need them all - just what is actually in your laptop).

What is CTO? Customize to Order?

JMEaT wrote:What is CTO? Customize to Order?

Yup. For example, on that page of drivers, there are drivers for both AMD and Intel. Obviously you're going to use one or the other, not both

JMEaT wrote:I'm speaking with HP now and they said they are escalating the issue? I guess this grunt doesn't understand me...

EDIT: I'm being told I have to buy a whole version of Windows from a store. they canot send me the disc???

So am I SOL? I can't get an OEM disc?

Go to your local College and buy a XP Pro from thier computer store. It will cost less than buying it at Best Buy etc.

Thank you to the person who sent me the link to that BT!

HP sells a DVD restore disk for $19. Normally you have to include it w/ your order, but I don't see a reason why they shouldn't be able to send it to you..

Grendel wrote:HP sells a DVD restore disk for $19. Normally you have to include it w/ your order, but I don't see a reason why they shouldn't be able to send it to you..

Those are the discs I got... Yeah 19 bucks seems like a rip off.