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[$hellCoder]

My friend has a laptop that I've been working on.  It has complicated problems compounded by more problems.  First off, I don't have WinXP media Center Ed. or Sony recovery cd's, so can't restore yet.  I don't want to restore if I don't have to anyway.

Here's the problem:
After recovering the administrators password, I used the Windows XP Pro CD to enter recovery console.  I then:
fixboot
fixmbr
chkdsk /p

Following this, I tried to use the command "bootcfg /rebuild" which gives me the error:
"Failed to add the selected boot entry to the boot list".

Now I'm kind of stuck.  I tried to connect the hard drive externally to another computer, but another Windows computer doesn't mount the partition automatically OR through computer mgmt via Administrative tools.  It claims it isn't a "healthy" partition.  My linux box will mount the partition, but manually creating a "boot.ini" file, which didn't exist to begin with, is useless and does not help at all.

The system doesn't have a floppy, so winxp boot floppy is out of the question, however I did create a CD with: boot.ini, ntldr, ntdetect.com.  the CD boots, and I select the valid partition from my boot.ini options and the system just hangs, no errors.

Any advice anyone.

[GenTsoChiken]

corrupted boot sector? sounds like a new hard drive is in order.

[PsiFire]

One of the bigger issues (I spoke to Shell via IM about this) is lack on an MCE disk. I could use one myself. Anyone know where one can be obtained?

[GenTsoChiken]

legally or illegally? cuz we shouldn't talk about the after.....

[$hellCoder]

My friend has a Sony Laptop with MCE installed legitimately and Sony is having problems getting him the restore CD's.  Without them or an MCE disk, how can I fix his comp (assuming of course that I don't put an illegal copy of a different version of Windows on it.

I don't care how I obtain the disk because he has a valid product key, so it is legit.  Also, I wouldn't use MCE anyway, so I really don't see a legal issue here.  MS might disagree though...

[GenTsoChiken]

well, from my understanding, in most cases companies care more about the licenses than the software as they tend to give the software out for free but many would disagree. though in this case its a different story.....M$.....anyway, as you know, restore CD's tend to be version specific and a pain to find, so i personally would avoid that route if possible. as for straight up MCE, i would say check some underground sites as all you really need is the software. i know this really isn't THAT helpful as I'm sure you already thought of this, but this is all i can really offer right now.

[$hellCoder]

agreed (with the restore cd option)...

As for MCE, I just got it and now I'm burning it to CD as we speak.... I will let you know how it goes when I restore my friends computer.  I'm going to try to do a restore install (install over what already exists) first.

[GenTsoChiken]

good luck!

[$hellCoder]

no go... sony's restore cd's came in by mail.  Backed up data, used those.

[GenTsoChiken]

good deal, least that worked

[PsiFire]

Does Vista have a similar interface/functionality to MCE? The idea of a 10foot interface could be useful for when I setup by living and bedroom properly with large screen LEDs.

[$hellCoder]

I'm not sure what you are referring to Psi... can you elaborate?

[Popsikle]

psaaah vista? GO FOR SEVEN!

[PsiFire]

I'd go for 7 over Vista, but not over XP. Frankly, I don't feel like paying for MS crap if I don't have to.

Shell: The MCE "10 foot" interface refers to the interface that makes shit usable from a TV from afar. As opposed to having little tiny icons that you view from 1-2 feet away, it has large icons and interface (similar to something you'd use on a PS3 or XBox360) that are viewable from 10 feet away (typical seating distance from a TV).

[GenTsoChiken]

I'll go for vista when they stop supporting XP, just like with 2K to XP.....i mean win7 not vista.....