Hello,
To clarify the Cicero computers shipped with Windows XP were loaded with the OEM version. This version of Windows is not the same as a retail version of Windows XP for the purpose of the license key (25 digit Product Number). In order to reinstall Windows using your original Windows XP Product Key on the side of your machine you will be required to install the OEM version of Windows XP Home; the retail or volume license versions will not work with your product key.
Hope this helps
Hi heyfeaver,
Sorry to hear that you haven't had any luck with getting the recovery media. I have searched around for a way to order the specific disc that you need and unfortunately nothing is coming up. I have a few ideas that I will layout here for consideration.
- Have a tech room reinstall Windows for you and ensure you purchase an imaging product such as Acronis or Norton Ghost so that you can create a backup image / restore disk for future use.
- Purchase a new copy of Windows XP or look into an upgrade to Windows 7 (You will need to verify your hardware will support this move).
- Cicero PC’s were originally manufactured by Seanix and then by Medion. If you look at the COA sticker that is on your case (The product key) you should see either of these two names. As a general rule if your tower is mostly black it’s created by Seanix and if it is mostly grey it’s created by Medion. Once you know which tower you have you could try to contact the original manufacturer directly to obtain the disc. I’ve included this in my response for the sake of being thorough. Undoubtedly like the first two options there will be money involved; however, unlike the first two options it will likely be a massive headache trying to get things solved this way.
If your PC is created by Seanix (a Black Chassis) I personally would suggest you consider enlisting the help of a technician unless you are comfortable identifying and downloading drivers for the machine. Even if you were to receive the original OEM Windows XP disk there is a separate disk you would not be likely to obtain that had all the drivers for the system including CTO machines.
Good Luck!
Based on the leg work you have put forward and your understandable decision to not reinvest into a new OS the only clear option I see is the first one listed above. By having a technician load and setup the system again (to today’s standards) the recovery media that would be created through imaging programs would actually be more up to date than the original’s your PC shipped with.
As far as other avenues to try and get the original media I have to admit I’m at a loss. The only thing you have not attempted yet is to contact Microsoft directly; however, when I was picking through their website trying to find an answer to the original post it says in the case of OEM software to contact the vendor directly. Much like the later point of the previous post; if you do get an OEM version of Windows XP in this way you are still left without the support software such as drivers. It would still work but there is a considerably higher level of work involved to complete your reinstallation (why I generally suggest involving a technician).
As far as laws out there to protect the consumers there are definitely tons of them. To be transparent in this I am no lawyer but I do not think there are any provisional clauses that would apply to this particular situation. In Canada we are legally allowed to backup our digitally owned media for the exact purposes of loss, damage, theft etc. To that end I’m not certain how long or even if at all a Manufacturer is required to provide original recovery Media on file for consumers.
