recovery for xp media center ed 05

Hi,

I am out of ideas so I will present my situation to you.

My sister has an Emachines T 6538 pc which had Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 preinstalled. They have no recovery disks. And of course, something happened and the OS would not load at all, blue screen, and freezing up in Safe Mode.

So, my nephew in trying to repair the OS used a Windows Vista Experience disk from another computer which they though had 'fixed' it but it seems it was only a 30 day free trial. Now they have limited functionality of the PC as it keeps requesting key code.

Now I enter the picture. I contacted Emachines to get help with the situation and a nice guy directed me to the F11 system restore-but I can't get that to work, I think because of the Vista now loaded on it. So I went back to them and requested a recovery CD but was told the system was too old (built in 2004 but they bought it in 07, I think) and it was out of warranty and they couldn't sell me one (though the first tech said I could get one for about $20 but didn't provide the link-just the sys restore link).

What can I do now? We really can't afford to purchase a new OS at this time, I would just like to get the one they OWN back on their computer.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

There should be an option to uninstall the Vista Trial version in the windows add/remove programs, under Vista, I believe you will find this under Programs in the control panel. This is assuming this was the trial version.

Then try the instructions from Emachine.

If that fails, you could install Linux as an OS, there is a support froum for Linux users here at MG where you could get help.:wave

 

I am in the US but that doesn't work. Actual message is:
Recovery media is no longer available for the serial number you entered.

Nothing happens when I tap F11, it just loads the vista page where I have to enter code or have 'limited' accessability.
I will write down the other options you gave and try those when I go back to her house.


And to brandypeppy: I don't see an uninstall in add/remove. I read while researching that this is an upgrade if used on the Vista pc but otherwise it "acts" like a demo copy.

I have no knowledge at all of Linux. And I am the most computer savvy one. LOL Is it similar to Windows?

I appreciate the responses.

 

Maybe there is an uninstall in add/remove windows components? But I'm thinking that's not likely.

I've only had limited usage with Linux, it is a freeware, open source OS. But do visit the Linux forum for more info. I know people who use it with satisfaction. And if you can't do any of the above suggestions and you can't get any install disks, it may be your only recourse.

Can you borrow an XP install disk from someone?:wave

 

okay went online with emachines chat again...this one suggested trying ALT + F10 as plodr suggested, so that will be my next attempt...

will update tomorrow on results..

 

Has anyone heard of the site 'restoredisks' and is it reputable? Haven't gotten to go up to sis's yet just checking other options out as well.

Thanks again.

 

Yes, it is located in GA...I figured it was too good to be true.

Thanks.

 

I was reading that last night and thinking the very same thing. I plan to give them a try if nothing else I try this weekend works.

I will post any results.