The Reinstallation Guide is a little vague, but I found a way to install a clean copy of Windows XP MCE using the license on your computer. I hate bloatware/adware on my computer and from what I am reading they are being paid to put spyware on your computer (and charging you to remove it). I don't need 100 processes running in the background or trying to uninstall stuff that will leave traces in the registry and other places.
1. Download this program at this site, it will make the CD you are building bootable:
http://www.nu2.nu/bcd/
2. Extract the files so you have a directory called c:\bcd
3. Navigate to c:\bcd\cds\wxppro\files. Copy your c:\I386 directory to this location. You should now have a directory called c:\bcd\cds\wxppro\files\I386.
4. You will have to venture into the dark side and download Windows XP MCE on a torrent, preferably a PROPER release as it has not be altered or cracked. If your previous laptop came with a disk or have one laying around with Service Pack 2 (or slipstream it) update than you can use that.
5. Burn the .iso files you downloaded from the torrent onto a CD-ROM. Keep the second disc because you will not have to alter it. The first disc you will need to transfer all the files
(except the I386 directory and the WIN51IP.SP2 file) to the directory you created to c:\bcd\cds\wxppro\files\. If you followed step 3 you will already have your I386 directory in that location.
6. Tranfer the WIN51IP.SP2 to this directory c:\bcd\cds\wxppro\
7. Go to Start -> Run, and type c:\bcd\bcd wxppro then OK. A window will pop up and you'll see a bunch of file names scroll by.
8. Before you install, obtain your Windows XP product key
Go to
http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder.shtml and download the KeyFinder program.
Run this program and it will tell you your XP product key. Note that this key is different from the one stickered underneath your computer, at least it was for me.
After about 2 minutes you will be asked to enter a blank CD. Insert it, press Enter to continue, and it will start burning your CD. Once done, this is your Windows XP Media Center Installation CD (Disc 1)
I would recommend that you make an .iso copy of the disc you have just created so that you do not have to go through this again if you damage/lose the disc
Final Comments
Do not download the Proper release and use your Product key without following all the steps above. The Product ID for the Proper release could be blacklisted and is illegal. You could lose your license on your HP machine, be hassled to reactivate or not get updates. Unlike music, you can download software all you want but as soon as you without paying for it-install/use it after agreeing to the EULA, or sell it than you will piss off Microsoft.
You are not doing nothing illegal since HP/Compaq has already bought an MCE OEM license for your machine. They just choose not to give you the disc when you bought your machine at retail (CTO can pay $10 for a disc). They get paid to put some of the bloatware/adware/spyware on the laptop and it makes those companies happy if you couldn't just erase all the junk. Otherwise, you can go and pay $200 for a retail copy of MCE.
I copied some of the info from the reinstallation guide, so thanks for the info. I added my information from stuff I had to figure out or due to broken links.
My machine has passed all WGA checks and no activation is required.
If you need to know what the i386 folder is than visit this link, good info:
http://ask-leo.com/so_just_what_is_the_i386_directory_anyway.html
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
and don't foget to use the productkey on your sticker, which works great for me.
