Repair OEM windows with Full Version?

Discussion in 'Software' started by dkocian, Jan 22, 2010.

  1. dkocian

    dkocian Private E-2

    I have a Gateway computer with an OEM version of Windows XP Media Center installed on it. It did not come with Windows discs, but only with a Restore disk. As such, I cannot access the Microsoft "Repair" function. I have SP3 installed on the Media Center computer, and oodles of other programs and stuff. Doing a Restore, back to square one, is daunting and I want to avoid it if at all possible.

    I also own three other copies of XP, but none of them are Media Center versions. All three were acquired directly from Microsoft, where I just bought two additional Product Keys, and therefore only have one set of discs. My question is whether I can use the discs to repair the OEM software? I have licenses on all of the products, so there is no piracy involved, but I don't want to screw up the Media Center install any more than it already is. Will the discs work on an OEM install? Seems like they would but I have never tried it.

    Thanks for any help.
     
    dkocian, Jan 22, 2010
    #1
  2. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    What is the issue your having? only wondering just in case there maybe another route to fixing it.

    Doubt that a general version of Windows XP would fix MCE, as some component are different but TBH I never have used MCE as no need to but I do agree your logic is right it may work, so I have an alternative suggestion to try


    Do you have a large USB HDD or a spare HDD that you can add to the PC in a temporary basis? if yes then my idea is that you try a repair with your XP disk, but to give you a backup is to download and install the 15 day trial of Acronis True Image HERE and create the bootup disk as this maybe needed if you have to restore (can use a CDRW) and then create a ful image of your HDD, to the external/internal extra HDD, then run the repair, if it messes up then boot to the Acronis Startup Disk and recover your system, then can try something else.

    Instruction manual to Acronis HERE
     
    DavidGP, Jan 23, 2010
    #2

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