Re: Sony and HP provide no restore discs.

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"John Corliss" <q34wsk20@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:K4idncJnoJQsIZjXnZ2dnUVZ_sOdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
CSM1 wrote:
"John Corliss" <q34wsk20@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
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John Corliss wrote:
My cousin just gave me a Sony VAIO (model number PCV-A21L, also known
as model number VGC-RA837GY) which suffered a hard drive failure. He
bought a new hard drive, but then when he got around to looking for the
restore discs realized that he had none.

Both Sony and HP (and most likely other computer manufacturers will
jump on board this scam) have started selling computers with no restore
discs included whatsoever. Instead, you are supposed to create your own
set of restore discs using blank CDs or DVDs and a small program
installed on the computer. For the best results and a higher
probability of success, you should do this right away, before
installing or copying anything onto the computer. They usually *don't*
exactly go out of their way to emphasize how important doing this is.

Usually, you are only allowed to do the procedure one time.

If you don't do this procedure and have a hard drive failure, you can
purchase a set from the manufacturer. However, in Sony's case, /only if
you use a credit card!/ If, like me, you don't use credit cards, you're
out of luck.

My cousin could have dealt with the Sony even though he uses credit
cards, but he has other and newer computers and chose to give the thing
to me instead. The VAIO, of course, came originally with a copy of
Windows Multimedia Center Edition 2005 pre-installed. Without that
program on the hard drive as a starting point, the computer is pretty
much a boat anchor.

So, unable to order a set of restore discs from Sony, I decided to do
things the hard way:

I downloaded the drivers and Sony programs for the computer from their
website and now, somehow, want to obtain a copy of the installation
disc for Windows MCE 2005. The computer's case has an authentication
sticker with a valid product ID code on it for that version of Windows
so that I can legally run it, but I don't have an installation disc for
Windows MCE 2005.

Any suggestions or do I have to attempt to use something like
Mythbuntu:

http://www.mythbuntu.org

??
Eh... I kept saying "Multimedia Center". Make that "Media Center".
Sorry.

The smart thing to do is buy Windows Media Center 2005 OEM.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116049

Thanks, but I have to disagree. The computer is already legally entitled
to run the OS. Having to purchase another license for it would be unfair,
much the way Sony is being unfair by demanding that I pay for restore
discs with a credit card.


Maybe unfair, but you will be buying more that just a license, you will also
get a set of Disks (Which you do not have).


Since you have gotten the needed drivers and programs for your Sony, you
can install Media Center 2005.
Use the product code that comes with the new Disks.

Assuming I bought an OEM version (which, AFAIK, requires that I also
purchase some hardware) why bother using the old product code? But the
question is rhetoric because I'd never pay money for another product code
and set of discs for the OS. I would, however, pay for a set of restore
discs from Sony if they would accept a money order (but they won't.)

After installing, you go to Windows Update and get Service Pack 3.

Last I heard, SP3 didn't work with MCE. Guess that's changed, eh?

--
John Corliss

The hardware requirement has been lifted. Windows Media Center 2005 OEM
software license does not require a hardware purchase.

http://download.microsoft.com/documents/useterms/Windows%20XP%20Media%20Center_2005_English_0d155f5b-c624-41e3-b961-ae482966082f.pdf

SP3 works just fine on my Media Center 2005. As does Media Player 11.

If Sony will sell you the restore disks for less than the $110 it would cost
for the Media Center Disks from Newegg, than by all means, buy the Sony
restore Disks.

There is no other version of XP Media Center 2005, only OEM.

--
CSM1
http://www.carlmcmillan.com
--


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