WinXP MCE License - Use XP Pro to Install?

We inherited an HP desktop PC from my father in law which contains Windows XP Media Center Edition. I wiped out all his files and did a full system recovery from the onboard recovery feature. We have no CD's or manuals that came with it. That being said the recovery went perfectly fine, but of course comes preinstalled with tons of bloatware. I have an XP Pro SP2 disk that I have for my PC that I'd like to use to install on the HP with the license that came with the HP (but it's XP MCE license).

So the question is, will the Windows XP Professional disk work with the Windows XP Media Center Edition license key? Or will I specifically need an MCE CD? I hope the latter isn't the case because I don't know anyone that has an MCE disc.

I would just go ahead and try it, but don't want to waste a couple hours only to find out it isn't valid, causes errors eventually even if it does install, or whatever.

 

I don't think that XP Pro would accept the MCE key (not sure). OEM serials are pretty specific. You could try it out and if it does accept it, but does not activate, you can then activate by phone.
Or you can download a MCE CD from any legal Microsoft source, if there is one.

 

OP, PM me.

 

You could always run Decrapfier and CCleaner

 

Andy - Thanks for the reply. I may try but again don't want there to be issues even if it is accepted.

KrieGLoCK - PM sent. Thanks for the help!

Hiker - I don't think Decrapfier and CCleaner would get rid of the crap that comes preinstalled in the HP specific OEM Windows. I'd prefer a clean install that way I know that it's clean instead of having rogue registry entries, folders, or other phantomware left on the PC.

 

I hope that no one had suggested torrents as a solution. Those are pretty dangerous.

Try researching to see if nLite could make a disc for you.

 

Since when were torrents dangerous? Ive never had any problems with any torrents

 

I like that KrieGLoCK. So Chicago! Short sweet and to the point and likely to solve the problem. Just make sure both youse goes to church tomorrow.

In other words not certain the content of said PM's would be allowed to be posted?

 

Torrents, especially of cracked software, are dangerous because the cracker might have loaded some 'customized' code that would either break other parts of the OS or start spying on you. You think torrent uploaders are going to do their work just for the betterment of humanity.

Plus, illegal to say the least.

If posted, those PMs are going to earn some temporary bans. We have a zero tolerance policy regarding piracy and breaking EULAs.

 

Yeh i get what you mean, i wouldnt use a downloaded operating system mind, but other things ive ahem *downloaded* have been fine

 

Yeah.......

You do realize I'm a software engineer, right? I love to slap people with our zero tolerance policy...

 

I'm not looking for anything illegal. I have a legit license key. I know that I should be able to get ahold of the software legally somehow as what you really purchase (or "lease") is the license key.

If there is no legal way to get it, then forget it.

 

Yeah, I don't mind if you steal my bread and butter .

There should be a way with nLite.

 

Ok, thanks, will investigate.

 

KrieGloCK: This is a matter for the mod team to look into. I suggest you keep this thread on topic.

 

The Xp Pro disk will take media center key but it will still ask for second disk with all media center compents on it winch won,nt have

asume they both oem

 

I don't think that this would work because XP Pro is not an available upgrade path for XP MCE and essentially what you would be trying to do (or what I think the software would interpret you as trying to do) is to upgrade your XP MCE installation to XP Pro.

 

but your user title says computer engineer

 

More importantly, it says "Almost" - almost only counts in horse-shoes and hand-grenades!

 

I know hardware and software, but my heart is in software.

Back to topic .

 

Lmao, im quaking in my boots

 

and...
*Chucklz smiley was banned today. In other news...*
Back to topic:
I think this is allowed, but can't you see if a friend has a disc you can borrow and just use your license key?

 

Lmao Nice, yeh he could borrow a friends and use his own liscence, that would work fine, does he have a friend to borrow it off?

 

idk, we will have to wait for him to tell us, xD
or you could maybe call microsoft and ask if they can sell you a unlicensed cd of windows...

 

installation of XP MCE requires 2 CDs: A XP Pro CD that takes the MCE key and a special MCE CD. If you enter the correct MCE key, the installer will continue just like it's installing XP Pro; however, throughout the install process, there will be prompts for you to insert the MCE CD (so the computer can get the special files needed by MCE). The install process is a pain because you can't leave the computer there to do its thing...you have to constantly swap CDs.

I agree with the idea of cleaning out the factory restore as best you can because installing MCE from scratch is not fun...especially when the install CDs wont take the OEM key from the sticker on the computer...

 

Thank you KingRaptor. That's the kind of answer I was looking for.

I do not know anyone that has an MCE disc. I wasn't aware it was a two CD process either. That is annoying.

I'll try to clean up the factory restore first and see if I'm satisfied, otherwise will try to get a CD. I hate to spend the time though, as I'd prefer a fresh install. Of course then I still have to drudge up the proper drivers and everything, which might prove to be a major PITA too.