Activating Windows for the first time

[Seanie]

Hi all.

Is there anyway I can find out my OS details for when I first Activated my
copy of Windows Media Center.

Reason why I am asking.

I purchased a laptop with Windows Media center 2005 English edition. I had
some problems with it so I return it to the Manufacture. They then installed
Windows XP Home Spanish edition. I sent it back, they then installed Media
Center 2002 Spanish edition.


I have asked the manufacture to please provide me with the disks for Windows
Media Center 2005 English edition, as that is what it originally had
installed. They are saying because I live in Spain the OS must be in Spanish
and I must have purchased it in Spanish. My COA states "Windows Media Center
2005" but does not state a language. All the documentation that I have does
not state a language.

The only proof for the word "English" is, that I have is I purchased a Vista
ultimate upgrade which was an upgrade from my original Windows Media Center
2005 English edition.

Now the manufacture has installed the wrong OS language, so I cant even
upgrade to my Vista ultimate.

Is there anyway I can find out my OS details for when I first Activated my
copy of Windows Media Center. A Microsoft website. Somewhere. I need to prove
that it was an English operating system.

Thanks

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

Hi all.

Is there anyway I can find out my OS details for when I first
Activated my copy of Windows Media Center.

From Microsoft? Highly doubtful.

Reason why I am asking.

I purchased a laptop with Windows Media center 2005 English edition.
I had some problems with it so I return it to the Manufacture. They
then installed Windows XP Home Spanish edition. I sent it back, they
then installed Media Center 2002 Spanish edition.


I have asked the manufacture to please provide me with the disks for
Windows Media Center 2005 English edition, as that is what it
originally had installed. They are saying because I live in Spain the
OS must be in Spanish and I must have purchased it in Spanish. My COA
states "Windows Media Center 2005" but does not state a language. All
the documentation that I have does not state a language.

The only proof for the word "English" is, that I have is I purchased
a Vista ultimate upgrade which was an upgrade from my original
Windows Media Center 2005 English edition.

Now the manufacture has installed the wrong OS language, so I cant
even upgrade to my Vista ultimate.

Is there anyway I can find out my OS details for when I first
Activated my copy of Windows Media Center. A Microsoft website.
Somewhere. I need to prove that it was an English operating system.

Thanks

Ugh, what a pain. You're going to need to find your original order (with all
its details!!) to pursue this. Your upgrade doesn't matter; you could buy an
upgrade anywhere.

I don't know from whom you bought this laptop, but they sound like very
shady characters - you might need to take this up with a lawyer.

 

[Alias]

Seanie wrote:
They are saying because I live in Spain the OS must be in Spanish

and I must have purchased it in Spanish.

Baloney. I live in Spain and have XP Pro on two computers in English. I
even know where to buy XP Pro or Home in English here in Spain.

Is there anyway I can find out my OS details for when I first Activated my
copy of Windows Media Center. A Microsoft website. Somewhere. I need to prove
that it was an English operating system.

Thanks

Unfortunately, no. What's the name of the computer store where all this
happened?

Alias

 

[DL]

No since the laptop now has a spanish version on it.
Were did you purchase origonally, and from whom?
And do you have origonal invoice?

 

[Seanie]

Alias

What brand do you have?
Acer

Seanie wrote:
They are saying because I live in Spain the OS must be in Spanish

Baloney. I live in Spain and have XP Pro on two computers in English. I
even know where to buy XP Pro or Home in English here in Spain.


Unfortunately, no. What's the name of the computer store where all this
happened?

Alias

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

You might try the following (assuming you have an Acer computer):

Acer Recovery Media Purchase Program:

https://secure3.tx.acer.com/RCD/Main.aspx


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows Shell/User

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

:

Hi all.

Is there anyway I can find out my OS details for when I first Activated my
copy of Windows Media Center.

Reason why I am asking.

I purchased a laptop with Windows Media center 2005 English edition. I had
some problems with it so I return it to the Manufacture. They then installed
Windows XP Home Spanish edition. I sent it back, they then installed Media
Center 2002 Spanish edition.


I have asked the manufacture to please provide me with the disks for Windows
Media Center 2005 English edition, as that is what it originally had
installed. They are saying because I live in Spain the OS must be in Spanish
and I must have purchased it in Spanish. My COA states "Windows Media Center
2005" but does not state a language. All the documentation that I have does
not state a language.

The only proof for the word "English" is, that I have is I purchased a Vista
ultimate upgrade which was an upgrade from my original Windows Media Center
2005 English edition.

Now the manufacture has installed the wrong OS language, so I cant even
upgrade to my Vista ultimate.

Is there anyway I can find out my OS details for when I first Activated my
copy of Windows Media Center. A Microsoft website. Somewhere. I need to prove
that it was an English operating system.

Thanks

 

[Seanie]

Hi Carey

Does not accept my SN. I assume that site is for the USA SN numbers.
But thanks.


I just sent an email to the Vista anytimeupgrade team. They have my proof of
purchase with them for Vista Ultimate. I am hoping they will assist me.

Thanks.

 

[DL]

You still fail to mention where you purchased from, maybe Acer but which
area UK or ES?

 

[Seanie]

I purchased the laptop on the internet. But the warranty is with Acer. The
company who sold it to me cannot assist. He says it is all up to Acer. I have
confirmed my digital locker exists for my Vista Ultimate on Microsoft's
website. I just cannot re-install it because Acer Spain is refusing to
install my original English version of Media Center.

Prior to Acer repairs I was running my Vista Ultimate on my laptop for 5 or
6 months, then there was a technical fault, I sent it to Acer, when it came
back from repairs(first time), they had installed Windows XP Home Spanish
edition. I have the Aspire9814 which does not come with Windows XP Home
edition. You cannot even buy it with that OS. I sent it back to them, on
return they had installed Media Center 2002 Spanish edition. I have asked for
the English media and Acer Euro informs me that my machine was supplied with
a Spanish operating system. How is any of this possible. I upgraded to vista
premium via Moduslink(MSTUPVISTAEMEA- English Vista Premium), then I upgraded
again to Vista ultimate via Acer and I got English Vista operating systems.
Why English, because it was an upgrade and I started with English.

So far, I don’t no what is happening. I have paid, paid and paid. I have
receipts, documentation, COA's, AnytimeUpgrade receipts, digital lockers and
I still cannot get my already paid for English Media Center 2005 to use my
already paid for Vista.


Any ideas.

 

[DL]

You sure the internet site you purchased from was not an acer one?
What country was the laptop posted from & delivered too?
I often find that an email sent to the CEO, in this case, Gianfranco Lanci,
detailing, but being as brief as possible, your problem and stating the
Model serial number, may produce a result.
Failing that you purchase an english version of the o/s and issue a court
claim against Acer for the cost

PS the Aspire9814 does'nt appear to be listed on UK acer site, but is listed
on EU sites

 

[Seanie]

DL

The site where I purchased it from said.
"We buy everything in the oficial Acer store in Spain".

So where Acer gets it from (UK, Spain, France, Germany etc) I have no idea.
It was delievered to Spain. I like the idea of an email to the CEO, but I
have searched Acer website, no email addresses for him. I will start
investigating the last idea.

I was hoping that Microsoft had an obligation to ensure the little man does
not get screwed by a corporation.

thanks.

 

[DL]

Its usually fairly easy to guess the email addreess once you have the name -
there are only so many formats, often; (e-mail address removed)
The other option is the corporate / invester site they have to give
corporate contact details, as per EU law

I would have thought the serial number of your laptop would have revealed
its origonal configeration to Acer

 

[Seanie]

I would have thought the same, with regards to the Acer serial number.

But that would be impossible even for Acer. I will explain.

When I first switched on my laptop(the very first time), I had a choice of
what version of Windows Media Center I wanted to install. English, Spanish,
French or German.

I selected English. So when it comes to the Serial number, I would never
know how Acer could say that according to my serial number my OS is Spanish.

The only way this could of occured. Is when it went in for repairs and Acer
decided that because I live in Spain it must be a Spanish OS, Acer Spain
themselves must of associated the Serial number with a Spanish operating
system.

It is the only explanation that makes sense to me.

 

[Bob I]

Tollfree Spain number here
http://www.global.acer.com/support/winvista/index.htm

 

[DL]

I have no particular knowledge of WMC but usually the only o/s that have
language options are corporate editions. Any std retail win o/s is language
specific. I know that WMC is supposed to be only available via OEM system
manufacturers and not retail
I still believe that an email to the highest person you can find in that
Company may result in a resolution. That route has consistantly worked for
me when having agrivation with normal contacts. Believe me, an email sent to
the CEO will be acted upon, usually within 24 hrs