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An actual Windows Media Center 2005 DVD..

post #1 of 18
7/7/05 at 4:50pm
Thread Starter 
Has anybody ever received one of these from dell? I called them yesterday because they left that part off my 9300 (where you're supposed to be able to make a backup OS CD (start/programs/dell accesories). So they sent me the actual entire Windows MCE2005 on DVD (and I actually received it TODAY! (just ordered yesterday)). Has anyone else ever received one of these and (bigger question) will it only install on a dell? I know I could try it myself, but I figured someone here has experience with this. Hopefully you can put it on any machine, because it doesn't have a serial...
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post #2 of 18
7/7/05 at 8:35pm
Thread Starter 
OK, Guess I'm the only one here that's ever had this happen...
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post #3 of 18
7/7/05 at 10:02pm
Mine was in the box with my laptop when I got it.
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post #4 of 18
7/7/05 at 11:50pm
I got Windows XP Pro with my i5150, and I have used the CD to install the OS on several machines (I have several licenses). The only difference between installing on a Dell and on others, is that if you install on a Dell, it never asks you for a CD-key/authorization.


I've said this before, and someone wouldn't believe me, though... lol
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post #5 of 18
7/7/05 at 11:53pm
Thread Starter 
Guess I'll find out then. The DVD it came on is 2.6 Gb's, which kinda seems extremely large.. I can't really find any bloatware, except for Citrix is installed for some strange reason. I use that at work on our Sun Solaris stations, but can't really think of why I'd need it on a Windows MCE laptop..
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post #6 of 18
7/8/05 at 12:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dman22
Has anybody ever received one of these from dell? I called them yesterday because they left that part off my 9300 (where you're supposed to be able to make a backup OS CD (start/programs/dell accesories). So they sent me the actual entire Windows MCE2005 on DVD (and I actually received it TODAY! (just ordered yesterday)). Has anyone else ever received one of these and (bigger question) will it only install on a dell? I know I could try it myself, but I figured someone here has experience with this. Hopefully you can put it on any machine, because it doesn't have a serial...
I'm glad you got yours. I'm getting my laptop in about a week and I made sure that the MCE CD was inlcuded (after much complaining) which the lady assured me it would be shipped with my system. We will see what happens.
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post #7 of 18
7/8/05 at 10:38am
Thread Starter 
I've read quite a bit on here about people being assured only to be disappointed later.. I really don't know how their system works, but I don't think having all your "techs" over in India helps much. The phone system you talk to them on sucks to put it nicely and then there's the accent problems (mine and theirs). So that just equals a lot of what? I didn't understand and please repeats.. Seems the best way to get things done is via chat. For one they answer quick and you don't have to worry about crappy phone lines, awful "voice recognition" and accent difficulties. Seems that bugging them is the only way to get things done. Mine didn't include any utility cd's and the folder for making a backup of the OS wasn't installed. After 2 chat sessions and one phone call I now have 2 of each utility CD and a real live Windows MCE 2005 DVD. Would've been nice to get it all right the first time, but at least my screen looks good... Good luck
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post #8 of 18
7/8/05 at 1:58pm
I have the MCE DVD. It has to be put on DVD beecause Dell still bundles a bit of crap on it. This is evident if you go into the $OEM$ folder on the DVD.

Also when you're reinstalling MCE, hit Ctrl-Alt-Del and kill the retarded "Do not press" service and you can see what's installing.

This stupid screen actually hides all errors and may make it look like the install has frozen. I alotted 5 GB to my MCE partition and it wasn't enough room due to the install, page file, and extra crap on the DVD.
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post #9 of 18
7/8/05 at 5:51pm
Thread Starter 
Outstanding, that was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks mucho
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post #10 of 18
7/14/05 at 2:58pm
It seems to me that if you order your system the MCE that you don't get the program that burns the backup disks. I theory is that the program that does the back up is only make to burn CDs not DVDs like the Dell MCE disk is. Also not everyone orders their laptop with a DVD burner (I did not).
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post #11 of 18
7/14/05 at 3:58pm
My MCE 2005 DVD came with my XPS2 in the box. But I couldn't boot from it (or even read it) until I flashed the Sony D56A with the latest firmware. By the way, the MCE DVD is not copy protected. I copied it and actually reformated my XPS2 using the copy. During the OS reinstall, it did not ask for the reg codes either.
However, I never got a PowerDVD player disc with the XPS2 package. The I6000D that I ordered two weeks ago did.
I'm going to try to install MCE 2005 to my I6000D which only came with XP HOME (just to see if it's doable). Will let you know of results.
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post #12 of 18
7/14/05 at 6:18pm
Thread Starter 
So it didn't require a serial, but did it require activation? If not, then I guess I'll have me quite a few MCE 2005 machines.. Please do post whether it worked or not, I should've just tried installing it in my daughters machine when I reformatted it for the millionth time. Damn girl keeps downloading crap programs.. but I'd REALLY like to know about the activation.
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post #13 of 18
7/14/05 at 6:37pm
No activation necessary either. It installed kinda like the Windows XP PRO corporate version that I also have. It never asked me to connect to the internet to activate.
<edit> By the way, SP2 is built-in too. No need to install it separately.
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post #14 of 18
7/14/05 at 7:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Schembfs
My MCE 2005 DVD came with my XPS2 in the box. But I couldn't boot from it (or even read it) until I flashed the Sony D56A with the latest firmware.
Thanks thats good to know. Is upgrading the firmware easy to do?
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post #15 of 18
7/14/05 at 7:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 411sponge
Thanks thats good to know. Is upgrading the firmware easy to do?
Very easy. Just download the file. Make sure you're connected to AC power. Run it. Reboot. Done.
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post #16 of 18
7/14/05 at 7:40pm
Thread Starter 
Schembfs, what about running it on a non-dell machine? I have other brands and some home made ones too. I read somewhere about someone saying they only work on dells, but there's a hack. I'm not all fond of hacks, but will if I need to.. then comes the next question for anyone, anybody know of a good hack for that? if it's needed. Thanks
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post #17 of 18
7/14/05 at 8:28pm
I haven't really tried it on a non-Dell system. I have a feeling that it probably won't work as is. But just like you said, it can probably be hacked.
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post #18 of 18
7/14/05 at 8:29pm
Thread Starter 
thanks, guess I have another thing to add to my never ending todo list..
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