I did not say your were not using the same discs, but the "Other key code" you tried does not match
these discs.
If you can not get the computer to boot, you are going to have to buy a new disk, install with it,
and use the key code that comes with it.
: Richard,
:
: I am using the same discs that I installed MCE 2005 with, it's just that I
: have lost the CD key that went with them!
: I believe if I could only get at the hard disk then there would be the Disk
: key that worked when I installed.
:
: As the repair install isn't offering me to phone to get a new key (as it did
: when I installed) so it is just looking for me to match the key it installed
: with. Not sure why it should do that though. If the original was valid then
: I should surely be able to repair that install without 'jumping through
: hoops'. Even if I used another CD set!
:
: Thanks
: Nigel
:
: : > It told you the MCE key was invalid because it does not match the
: > configuration of Windows you are
: > loading. OEM Disk keys will not work with Commercial Windows Disk,
: > upgrade keys will not work with
: > Full Install Disks, etc.
: > I has nothing to do with the "key on the hard drive" but rather a
: > mathematical equation that checks
: > to see if that key fits that disk configuration. There are a good number
: > of keys that will work,
: > and just as many or more that will not work.
: >
: > : > : Thanks Richard,
: > :
: > : I don't think I had that chance as the disk failed me and wouldn't boot.
: > I
: > : ran chkdsk and that didn't fix it so I next ran repair.
: > : I think I getting close but the key is defeating me.
: > : I think it is asking for the same Key as was used in the install, so it
: > must
: > : have that record to compare it with. I have tried entering another MCE
: > key
: > : from a friend and it says the key is invalid. So I think that is my
: > proof.
: > :
: > : I need to find how I can get to read the harddisk but when left to boot
: > up
: > : the Setup always starts and runs to the CD key prompt again.
: > :
: > : Nigel
: > :
: > :
: > :
: > : : > : > When are people going to learn to get all the software and
: > documentation
: > : > together BEFORE they start
: > : > a repair or reinstallation??
: > : > There is no easy way to get that information off your drive now.
: > There
: > : > were many easy ways to get
: > : > the data before your started the repair (and many more ways before you
: > : > need a repair).
: > : >
: > : > Now you need professional (and expensive) help is reading the drive
: > with
: > : > special software and tools.
: > : > Most likely the number you need has been over - written.
: > : >
: > : > : > : > :I have just done a repair install of XP Media Center 2005 and am
: > being
: > : > : prompted for the CD key.
: > : > : Since that piece of paper as been disappeared sometime now I am
: > stuck!
: > : > :
: > : > : Is there anyway to read the CD key used for the original install off
: > the
: > : > PC?
: > : > : At the moment the PC just reboots into re-running the Setup, so I
: > can't
: > : > even
: > : > : access the harddisk!
: > : > :
: > : > : Any help appreciated.
: > : > : Thanks
: > : > :
: > : > : Nigel
: > : > :
: > : > :
: > : >
: > : >
: > :
: > :
: >
: >
:
:
