catch 22 with product ID

I have xp media center edtion. I believe my son upgraded to a newer version ( not lleagaly ). I can't get updates etc. Tried changing the product ID to origibal but product id changers don't work on media center editions--called microsoft, no help---system restore won't restore a previous version of OS. What to do?

 

I am a little confused as to what your son may have upgraded it too ? What operating system does it say when you are booting up ? Can you ask your son

Are you getting any specific messages when you try and run updates?

 

He upgraded from media center 2004 to MC 2005

 

WGA kicks in and says that my copy of windows can"t be validated.

 

Format your HD then Restore to your legit version

Then slap your sons forehead, lesson learned!

 

computer was preloaded with XP media center. Won't formatting clear out everything including the OS and with it restore?

 

If it was preloaded with XP media center you should have a windows restore in the start/program menu to restore it to original OS

 

restore only goes back two months--not sure why.

 

Did your computer come with a restore disk or is there a restore portion, I did not mean the restore point. If there is a restore portion you can find a restore OS (Windows) in the program menu

 

It didn't come with restore disks. The only way I can see to restore is with the system restore tool which only goes back two months.

 

What is the brand and model of the PC?

 

Sony Vaio. I did discover how to do a recovery from hard disk partition but I don't think I can handle the pain of reinstalling wireless networking, and all software for peripherals.

 

As I remember there is a nondestructive and a destructive windows restore and you wont to do a nondestructive, But I am not sure this will replace your product key it will repair window OS, a nondestructive repair will leave your installed programs and should leave your wireless network programming intact. In another words it should just repair the OS,
A destructive will make your computer just like when you got it new out of the box and will have to re register it and reinstall every thing.

PS you will need some one else’s help to answer if it will repair the product key and what it will do to the wireless network programming.

 

Actually, you want a complete reinstall, not a nondestructive as it mentions, which is merely a repair.

You cannot simply upgrade your OS, and downgrade without a new installation.

 

so new installation means having to reinstall all peripherals software, wireless networking etc?

 

Anything the machine didn't come with, assuming you are using their recovery software.

 

Thanks. Will I be able to buy a Vista upgrade and install it with a bad current product ID?

 

No.

Well...it depends.

There are two ways to use an upgrade CD.

1. You upgrade your OS from within Windows.
2. You do a clean installation, by using qualifying media.

Seeing how you don't hvae qualifying media, and your product key is not legit.

Its pretty safe to say that no, you wont be upgrading.

 

so if I buy the full version is there a way to install without erasing all hardware and software added since purchase of machine? What about using my external hard drive to restore after install.

 

if I restore to the original factory settings will my original product key be restored? Will this then allow me to buy the upgrade version of Vista and install?
Thanks