Windows MCE - Dotable

waldo · 20th November 2007, 04:43 AM

Howdy all,

I have a laptop running Windows MCE that I'd like to format and re-install. This may seem like a stupid question, but I wasn't supplied with the Windows install disc; can I use a Windows XP Home or Pro (both SP2) install disc for this purpose or would the laptop's product key not work?

(I don't use any of the MCE features!)

Thanks,
andy

dkg · 20th November 2007, 04:55 AM

The product key on the laptop won't work. If the install CD you have has a COA with the key then that key would work.

Most laptops that did not come with a restore CD has a disk partition that contains the restore data. To get to it you need to hit a key during power up that gives you several boot options.

waldo · 20th November 2007, 05:10 AM

Oops, just realised I posted this in Support forum - if anyone could move to Lounge, that'd be great!

--------------------

Thanks for the reply Dave - didn't get an install cd, although it was my understanding that it wasn't so much the CD that mattered as the actual valid product key (which I do have). I tend to re-install Windows once every 9 - 12 months and this is the first system which was lacking an install disc

May just move it to Ubuntu as I don't want to utilise the system restore (as it'll restore the vast quantity of junk that came pre-installed with the system!)

Thanks.

dkg · 20th November 2007, 06:01 AM

Yes, it is mainly the product key which is the... key. However, they distinguish between the various "models" of the OS. So an MCE key doesn't work with XP Home for instance.

For all the junk that comes with the PC/Laptop, try using this great tool: http://pcdecrapifier.com/

I wish I could install Ubuntu on my laptop. I have tried two versions of Ubuntu but it doesn't have the proper drivers for the laptop video hardware I have

Aussie Bob · 20th November 2007, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waldo

Oops, just realised I posted this in Support forum - if anyone could move to Lounge, that'd be great!

Done.

waldo · 20th November 2007, 09:33 AM

Ach, I'm going to phone the laptop manufacturer tomorrow and see how much they will steal from me for the courtesy of sending an install disc (assuming they will...) Got to be cheaper than the £70 (about $140USD) for a new copy of MCE.

Thanks for that link Dave - I've ended up coming across a number of sites which seem to be all about removing unwanted 'junk' from computers, will post any other links of interest.

Ubuntu is great - I've toyed about with it before on another system - the only reason I moved back to Windows was the lack of official Canon print drivers for Linux. Was brilliant otherwise and perfect for the laptop (which is only used for administrative stuff).

(Thanks for moving the thread Bob!)

rois · 21st November 2007, 01:02 AM

I once tried installing ubuntu on my laptop, but went back to XP when I had problem installing drivers for my wifi...

But I think other than that...ubuntu looks good.

back to topic...

I am sure they will charge you for installation disc though it should be slightly cheaper than a new copy.

waldo · 21st November 2007, 01:06 AM

Tried quite a bit of software last night, one of the best commercial ones was TuneUp Utilities 2007:
http://www.tune-up.com/

There was also the Autoruns utility, now distributed by Microsoft:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys.../Autoruns.mspx

Also learned a neat trick which is to check the Event Viewer for system errors (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer, then select System). This located 4 errors on start-up which were causing the system to freeze. Using this, I managed to disable the relevant Services which has helped a lot.

solidghost · 27th November 2007, 10:39 AM

I think this is legal. If any of your friends have a copy of Win MCE, they could burn you a copy and you can install it from that. The product key is still valid.

Not very sure MCE is like the other versions, but you need to know whether it is OEM or retail. They are different installation cds.

waldo · 27th November 2007, 10:49 PM

Kinda similar to what I ended up doing - have a contact in a local IT shop; explained my difficultly and was 'loaned' a copy of the OEM install disc.

Strange thing is, although that isn't illegal, it still feels a little... err... dodgy!

You wouldn't believe the difference a clean install makes in boot-up times however. All these tune-up utilities are great, but can't compare to just re-installing Windoze.

20th November 2007, 04:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
waldo Cross Hare Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 476	Windows MCE Howdy all, I have a laptop running Windows MCE that I'd like to format and re-install. This may seem like a stupid question, but I wasn't supplied with the Windows install disc; can I use a Windows XP Home or Pro (both SP2) install disc for this purpose or would the laptop's product key not work? (I don't use any of the MCE features!) Thanks, andy

20th November 2007, 04:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
dkg Northwoodsman Join Date: May 2006 Location: Northwoods of Maine Posts: 760	The product key on the laptop won't work. If the install CD you have has a COA with the key then that key would work. Most laptops that did not come with a restore CD has a disk partition that contains the restore data. To get to it you need to hit a key during power up that gives you several boot options. __________________ Dave G. Click here to learn about a free eNom reseller account!!! How about a nice cabin rental on Moosehead Lake in Northern Maine? Aussie Bob fan since May 2002

20th November 2007, 06:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
dkg Northwoodsman Join Date: May 2006 Location: Northwoods of Maine Posts: 760	Yes, it is mainly the product key which is the... key. However, they distinguish between the various "models" of the OS. So an MCE key doesn't work with XP Home for instance. For all the junk that comes with the PC/Laptop, try using this great tool: http://pcdecrapifier.com/ I wish I could install Ubuntu on my laptop. I have tried two versions of Ubuntu but it doesn't have the proper drivers for the laptop video hardware I have __________________ Dave G. Click here to learn about a free eNom reseller account!!! How about a nice cabin rental on Moosehead Lake in Northern Maine? Aussie Bob fan since May 2002

21st November 2007, 01:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
rois Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Neptune Posts: 206	I once tried installing ubuntu on my laptop, but went back to XP when I had problem installing drivers for my wifi... But I think other than that...ubuntu looks good. back to topic... I am sure they will charge you for installation disc though it should be slightly cheaper than a new copy. __________________ Cheers, Roi

27th November 2007, 10:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
solidghost Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 91	I think this is legal. If any of your friends have a copy of Win MCE, they could burn you a copy and you can install it from that. The product key is still valid. Not very sure MCE is like the other versions, but you need to know whether it is OEM or retail. They are different installation cds. __________________ High Page Rank Sites\| Singapore Maid Agency Listing \| Singapore tuition centres

20th November 2007, 05:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
waldo Cross Hare Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 476	Oops, just realised I posted this in Support forum - if anyone could move to Lounge, that'd be great! -------------------- Thanks for the reply Dave - didn't get an install cd, although it was my understanding that it wasn't so much the CD that mattered as the actual valid product key (which I do have). I tend to re-install Windows once every 9 - 12 months and this is the first system which was lacking an install disc May just move it to Ubuntu as I don't want to utilise the system restore (as it'll restore the vast quantity of junk that came pre-installed with the system!) Thanks.

20th November 2007, 09:33 AM	#6 (permalink)
waldo Cross Hare Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 476	Ach, I'm going to phone the laptop manufacturer tomorrow and see how much they will steal from me for the courtesy of sending an install disc (assuming they will...) Got to be cheaper than the £70 (about $140USD) for a new copy of MCE. Thanks for that link Dave - I've ended up coming across a number of sites which seem to be all about removing unwanted 'junk' from computers, will post any other links of interest. Ubuntu is great - I've toyed about with it before on another system - the only reason I moved back to Windows was the lack of official Canon print drivers for Linux. Was brilliant otherwise and perfect for the laptop (which is only used for administrative stuff). (Thanks for moving the thread Bob!)

21st November 2007, 01:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
waldo Cross Hare Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 476	Tried quite a bit of software last night, one of the best commercial ones was TuneUp Utilities 2007: http://www.tune-up.com/ There was also the Autoruns utility, now distributed by Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys.../Autoruns.mspx Also learned a neat trick which is to check the Event Viewer for system errors (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer, then select System). This located 4 errors on start-up which were causing the system to freeze. Using this, I managed to disable the relevant Services which has helped a lot.

27th November 2007, 10:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
waldo Cross Hare Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 476	Kinda similar to what I ended up doing - have a contact in a local IT shop; explained my difficultly and was 'loaned' a copy of the OEM install disc. Strange thing is, although that isn't illegal, it still feels a little... err... dodgy! You wouldn't believe the difference a clean install makes in boot-up times however. All these tune-up utilities are great, but can't compare to just re-installing Windoze.

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