[Context: Toshiba M400 laptops. Due to a buggy 3rd party software upgrade
process, one laptop got MANY DLL/EXE files trashed. Unfortunately, no current
backup. Windows loads but many tools busted... wanting to clean up the
situation]

I need to do a Repair Install of Windows XP Tablet Edition.
I have: Volume License CD's for XP, XPSP2, Tablet Edition.
I have: valid key that came with the tablet (both the 'sticker' key and one
extracted from the installed copy); I also have the valid volume XP Pro key,
and a "substitute" Tablet PC key that MS recommends using for reinstallation
on OEM computers.

From my volume license CD's, I have created SP2 CD's with the tablet
(COMPNENTS) folder in place, and Toshiba SATA/RAID drivers in place, in three
flavors as specified elsewhere... Volume, OEM and Retail key versions
(setupp.ini file adjustments.)

In all cases, I can get to the Repair Install process but when it asks for
my Key, none of the keys work.

I'm also suspecting it's possible none of my available bits will
successfully do a repair install, because these CD's do not include a
comprehensive set of Toshiba drivers.

My QUESTION: How is one *supposed* to do an XP repair-install on a Tablet
PC? Seems this should be a relatively simple and painless process when things
go south... instead we've wasted a ton of time and gotten nowhere.

Any help or suggestions much appreciated!

Thanks,
MrPete

Seems like something else is messed up if the keys aren't working properly.
Have you by any chance used a Restore Point from within System Restore on
the M400 Tablet PC to the day before the buggy 3rd party upgrade? That
would give you a proper, "known-good" position.

Otherwise, on the license issue, I would contact your Microsoft account
representative for the proper procedure.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

"MrPete" <MrPete@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:62D1F0C4-AB7A-4657-B915-AB3CB840A6CD@microsoft.com...
> [Context: Toshiba M400 laptops. Due to a buggy 3rd party software upgrade
> process, one laptop got MANY DLL/EXE files trashed. Unfortunately, no
> current
> backup. Windows loads but many tools busted... wanting to clean up the
> situation]
>
> I need to do a Repair Install of Windows XP Tablet Edition.
> I have: Volume License CD's for XP, XPSP2, Tablet Edition.
> I have: valid key that came with the tablet (both the 'sticker' key and
> one
> extracted from the installed copy); I also have the valid volume XP Pro
> key,
> and a "substitute" Tablet PC key that MS recommends using for
> reinstallation
> on OEM computers.
>
> From my volume license CD's, I have created SP2 CD's with the tablet
> (COMPNENTS) folder in place, and Toshiba SATA/RAID drivers in place, in
> three
> flavors as specified elsewhere... Volume, OEM and Retail key versions
> (setupp.ini file adjustments.)
>
> In all cases, I can get to the Repair Install process but when it asks for
> my Key, none of the keys work.
>
> I'm also suspecting it's possible none of my available bits will
> successfully do a repair install, because these CD's do not include a
> comprehensive set of Toshiba drivers.
>
> My QUESTION: How is one *supposed* to do an XP repair-install on a Tablet
> PC? Seems this should be a relatively simple and painless process when
> things
> go south... instead we've wasted a ton of time and gotten nowhere.
>
> Any help or suggestions much appreciated!
>
> Thanks,
> MrPete

If I had a restore point, I might not have needed the repair install. But
actually, it was not the registry that got wiped out. Somehow, 2200+ DLL's in
windows\system32 (literally that many!) had their contents scrambled, without
the file sizes or date/times touched. This on NTFS. Never seen anything like
it!

In any case, I have solved my own question. Here's what it took:
1) Create the slipstreamed CD as described above. ONLY the Volume License
version would work
2) **Call Microsoft** to obtain a valid Tablet Edition Volume License key.
3) Do the repair update, using the special key
4) Reinstall a couple of drivers that are now missing (keyboard/touchpad HID
devices)

The key to it all: Microsoft does not normally make valid install keys for
Tablet Edition available, because they ONLY sell that version in combination
with OEM computers... and they do NOT normally make a "repair" capability
available!

I was able to get past this because I have a valid Volume licence for XP.
*IF* you have a valid volume license, you can then call to get a Tablet
edition volume key, and use it as described above.

This is actually rather upsetting. It means that any situation requiring
repair install has no available solution for normal end users!

I'm pretty shocked.

Glad you worked it all out. The Tablet PC Edition (Windows XP Pro & Tablet
PC Edition 2005) is also available to developers through the Microsoft
Developer Network (MSDN) subscriptions, so don't think it is just only OEMs
who hold the magic keys. LOL! There are a lot of volume
licensed-businesses who deal with the VLK with Microsoft through their IT
departments.

The "repair" solution for individuals is up to the OEM, and generally they
furnish either media or a method to create media which - and here is the
key - returns the unit to the software condition at the time of purchase.
They have determined only that to be their responsibility, and that's all.
Remember, Microsoft got in trouble with the U.S. Justice Department for
telling OEMs what they should do for their customers.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

"MrPete" <MrPete@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:2C89AE73-045B-483C-8B0F-9B43E10FEDA1@microsoft.com...
> If I had a restore point, I might not have needed the repair install. But
> actually, it was not the registry that got wiped out. Somehow, 2200+ DLL's
> in
> windows\system32 (literally that many!) had their contents scrambled,
> without
> the file sizes or date/times touched. This on NTFS. Never seen anything
> like
> it!
>
> In any case, I have solved my own question. Here's what it took:
> 1) Create the slipstreamed CD as described above. ONLY the Volume License
> version would work
> 2) **Call Microsoft** to obtain a valid Tablet Edition Volume License key.
> 3) Do the repair update, using the special key
> 4) Reinstall a couple of drivers that are now missing (keyboard/touchpad
> HID
> devices)
>
> The key to it all: Microsoft does not normally make valid install keys for
> Tablet Edition available, because they ONLY sell that version in
> combination
> with OEM computers... and they do NOT normally make a "repair" capability
> available!
>
> I was able to get past this because I have a valid Volume licence for XP.
> *IF* you have a valid volume license, you can then call to get a Tablet
> edition volume key, and use it as described above.
>
> This is actually rather upsetting. It means that any situation requiring
> repair install has no available solution for normal end users!
>
> I'm pretty shocked.
>

OK, forgot about MSDN ;) -- not exactly "production" of course LOL

Unfortunately, AFAIK MS does not authorize distribution of repair-capable
media. The docs I was reading were very explicit about not allowing
production distribution of keys, because (in production) it is an OEM-only
product... and they have a special exception available for VLK enterprises,
through a special phone number (which fortunately I was able to do.)

Anyway, my challenge is finished but this is something very surprising to
me. How would a normal customer ever resolve a sticky issue? It's essentially
a non-repairable install for normal folk.



"Chris H" wrote:

> Glad you worked it all out. The Tablet PC Edition (Windows XP Pro & Tablet
> PC Edition 2005) is also available to developers through the Microsoft
> Developer Network (MSDN) subscriptions, so don't think it is just only OEMs
> who hold the magic keys. LOL! There are a lot of volume
> licensed-businesses who deal with the VLK with Microsoft through their IT
> departments.
>
> The "repair" solution for individuals is up to the OEM, and generally they
> furnish either media or a method to create media which - and here is the
> key - returns the unit to the software condition at the time of purchase.
> They have determined only that to be their responsibility, and that's all.
> Remember, Microsoft got in trouble with the U.S. Justice Department for
> telling OEMs what they should do for their customers.
> --
> Chris H.
> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
> Associate Expert
> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

Actually, the OEMs are allowed by Microsoft to distribute both a "recovery"
media and a "repair" media for their systems. The recovery solution is
relatively easy for the OEM to create and distribute. Many OEMs include a
recovery partition on their hard drive and thus don't have to deal with
distributing that extra CD/DVD with each system. Of course the recovery
solution implies a complete wipe and reinstall of the system. The repair
solution is a little more difficult for the OEMs to create and distribute
and usually requires a bootable CD/DVD, so they generally don't provide this
more expensive option with each system. However, some OEMs will provide a
repair CD on request. It's totally up to them.

-Reed Rinn
MVP Shell / User


"MrPete" <MrPete@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0207B02A-E831-421A-9E27-10384E7937DB@microsoft.com...
> OK, forgot about MSDN ;) -- not exactly "production" of course LOL
>
> Unfortunately, AFAIK MS does not authorize distribution of repair-capable
> media. The docs I was reading were very explicit about not allowing
> production distribution of keys, because (in production) it is an OEM-only
> product... and they have a special exception available for VLK
> enterprises,
> through a special phone number (which fortunately I was able to do.)
>
> Anyway, my challenge is finished but this is something very surprising to
> me. How would a normal customer ever resolve a sticky issue? It's
> essentially
> a non-repairable install for normal folk.
>
>
>
> "Chris H" wrote:
>
>> Glad you worked it all out. The Tablet PC Edition (Windows XP Pro &
>> Tablet
>> PC Edition 2005) is also available to developers through the Microsoft
>> Developer Network (MSDN) subscriptions, so don't think it is just only
>> OEMs
>> who hold the magic keys. LOL! There are a lot of volume
>> licensed-businesses who deal with the VLK with Microsoft through their IT
>> departments.
>>
>> The "repair" solution for individuals is up to the OEM, and generally
>> they
>> furnish either media or a method to create media which - and here is the
>> key - returns the unit to the software condition at the time of purchase.
>> They have determined only that to be their responsibility, and that's
>> all.
>> Remember, Microsoft got in trouble with the U.S. Justice Department for
>> telling OEMs what they should do for their customers.
>> --
>> Chris H.
>> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
>> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
>> http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
>> Associate Expert
>> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

I agree to a point and believe me we've been voicing those opinions for
years, but you need to look in a different direction for the reason things
are as they are now. The Justice Department's oversight folks say Microsoft
cannot "dictate" to the computer manufacturers how the Microsoft software is
handled, therefore only choices can be suggested by Microsoft.

The OEMs are the ones at fault for not looking after the actual needs of
their customers, although they do provide a method of getting the computer
back to the condition it was when the customer first bought it. Guess we're
supposed to be grateful for that. LOL!

One good alternative, though, is a back-up system which images all files
(personal and system) on a daily basis. One might lose a small amount of
files, but we don't have to go back a year or two.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

"MrPete" <MrPete@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0207B02A-E831-421A-9E27-10384E7937DB@microsoft.com...
> OK, forgot about MSDN ;) -- not exactly "production" of course LOL
>
> Unfortunately, AFAIK MS does not authorize distribution of repair-capable
> media. The docs I was reading were very explicit about not allowing
> production distribution of keys, because (in production) it is an OEM-only
> product... and they have a special exception available for VLK
> enterprises,
> through a special phone number (which fortunately I was able to do.)
>
> Anyway, my challenge is finished but this is something very surprising to
> me. How would a normal customer ever resolve a sticky issue? It's
> essentially
> a non-repairable install for normal folk.
>
>
>
> "Chris H" wrote:
>
>> Glad you worked it all out. The Tablet PC Edition (Windows XP Pro &
>> Tablet
>> PC Edition 2005) is also available to developers through the Microsoft
>> Developer Network (MSDN) subscriptions, so don't think it is just only
>> OEMs
>> who hold the magic keys. LOL! There are a lot of volume
>> licensed-businesses who deal with the VLK with Microsoft through their IT
>> departments.
>>
>> The "repair" solution for individuals is up to the OEM, and generally
>> they
>> furnish either media or a method to create media which - and here is the
>> key - returns the unit to the software condition at the time of purchase.
>> They have determined only that to be their responsibility, and that's
>> all.
>> Remember, Microsoft got in trouble with the U.S. Justice Department for
>> telling OEMs what they should do for their customers.
>> --
>> Chris H.
>> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
>> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
>> http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
>> Associate Expert
>> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

Dear friends:

"Chris H" <VistaMobilePC********.com> wrote:

>I agree to a point and believe me we've been voicing those opinions for
>years, but you need to look in a different direction for the reason things
>are as they are now. The Justice Department's oversight folks say Microsoft
>cannot "dictate" to the computer manufacturers how the Microsoft software is
>handled, therefore only choices can be suggested by Microsoft.
>
>The OEMs are the ones at fault for not looking after the actual needs of
>their customers, although they do provide a method of getting the computer
>back to the condition it was when the customer first bought it. Guess we're
>supposed to be grateful for that. LOL!
>
>One good alternative, though, is a back-up system which images all files
>(personal and system) on a daily basis. One might lose a small amount of
>files, but we don't have to go back a year or two.

Yeah, to use something like Acronis True Image monthly or weekly with
your TabletPC is a must with this careless attitude for their
customers from Microsoft.


Thanks
Juan I. Cahis
Santiago de Chile (South America)
Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it!

Juan - It is NOT Microsoft. It is the OEMs selecting their choice of what
to do in the case of their system failing their customers - the people who
pay the OEMs for their products. There are several means available to the
OEMs, and the OEMs are the ones who decide even if they're going to be at
least somewhat honorable and furnish a "recovery" media set or go the really
cheap route and require the customer to furnish their own media to create
their own discs off a "recovery" partition on the hard drive.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

"Juan I. Cahis" <jiclbchSINBASURA@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:gf1po3dqjdm2rk1nf5c3lr52jkh8qj5fj8@4ax.com...
Dear friends:

"Chris H" <VistaMobilePC********.com> wrote:

>I agree to a point and believe me we've been voicing those opinions for
>years, but you need to look in a different direction for the reason things
>are as they are now. The Justice Department's oversight folks say
>Microsoft
>cannot "dictate" to the computer manufacturers how the Microsoft software
>is
>handled, therefore only choices can be suggested by Microsoft.
>
>The OEMs are the ones at fault for not looking after the actual needs of
>their customers, although they do provide a method of getting the computer
>back to the condition it was when the customer first bought it. Guess
>we're
>supposed to be grateful for that. LOL!
>
>One good alternative, though, is a back-up system which images all files
>(personal and system) on a daily basis. One might lose a small amount of
>files, but we don't have to go back a year or two.

Yeah, to use something like Acronis True Image monthly or weekly with
your TabletPC is a must with this careless attitude for their
customers from Microsoft.


Thanks
Juan I. Cahis
Santiago de Chile (South America)
Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it!

Dear Chris, yes and no!!!!!!

I agree with you that it is an OEM's fault. But Microsoft has also
made almost an impossible task for common people to have the
possibility to get a bootable WinXP TabletPC Edition of their software
to repair their machines (unless you are a subscriber of their
expensive Technical MSN, which common mortals are not). I think that
Microsoft should have giving the possibility to their TabletPC
customers to buy a bootable WinXP TabletPC Edition CD, without any
extra key, for a nominal fee, in order to solve the problems that many
users have, like our original poster.

Well, I understand that Microsoft has improved its policy now, because
any bootable Windows Vista CD can repair a Vista TabletPC loaded
computer.


"Chris H" <VistaMobilePC********.com> wrote:

>Juan - It is NOT Microsoft. It is the OEMs selecting their choice of what
>to do in the case of their system failing their customers - the people who
>pay the OEMs for their products. There are several means available to the
>OEMs, and the OEMs are the ones who decide even if they're going to be at
>least somewhat honorable and furnish a "recovery" media set or go the really
>cheap route and require the customer to furnish their own media to create
>their own discs off a "recovery" partition on the hard drive.
Thanks
Juan I. Cahis
Santiago de Chile (South America)
Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it!

No. The original equipment manufacturer of a computer is the solution
source for the consumer.

The OEM for a Tablet PC is responsible because they are the distributor of
the operating system software, and by law Microsoft cannot dictate to the
OEM how they handle that. The current difference is Windows XP Pro and the
Tablet PC Edition "superset" was specific to ONLY certain Tablet PC machines
with very, very tight digitizer and screen criteria (much like Media Center
Edition computers with screens and graphics cards with recording functions),
so the consumer end results would be consistent experiences.

With Vista, both Tablet PC functionalities and those of Media Center Edition
have moved "main stream" and are no longer a specialized "superset" but in
the actual operating system in various versions being offered. Note the
complaints from people who bought Brand X computers expecting Tablet
functionalities later to find out the required recognizer hardware - even
though the screen swivels! - is not installed by the manufacturer. Are you
happy about that? I'm not, and I don't believe Microsoft is either, but you
and I can do exactly the same thing as Microsoft with regard to that
manufacturer - nothing. LOL!

The "policy" hasn't changed. If you buy a new computer, chances are the
manufacturer will give you only one option of three choices: (1) use the
included discs, if actually enclosed, (2) create "recovery media" from a
hidden partition on the hard drive on your own (extra) media when you go to
the store and purchase it or (3) fill out the form and pay an extra charge
and the OEM support section will send you a copy of the media for recovery.

Vista now deals entirely with the operating system, which includes
functionalities of both Tablet PC and Media Center editions which were only
available to the public on specific, customized computers.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
http://forums.mobilepcworld.net
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

"Juan I. Cahis" <jiclbchSINBASURA@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:5orpo39802r38bmrcoevvoc5mste8hb7a3@4ax.com...
Dear Chris, yes and no!!!!!!

I agree with you that it is an OEM's fault. But Microsoft has also
made almost an impossible task for common people to have the
possibility to get a bootable WinXP TabletPC Edition of their software
to repair their machines (unless you are a subscriber of their
expensive Technical MSN, which common mortals are not). I think that
Microsoft should have giving the possibility to their TabletPC
customers to buy a bootable WinXP TabletPC Edition CD, without any
extra key, for a nominal fee, in order to solve the problems that many
users have, like our original poster.

Well, I understand that Microsoft has improved its policy now, because
any bootable Windows Vista CD can repair a Vista TabletPC loaded
computer.


"Chris H" <VistaMobilePC********.com> wrote:

>Juan - It is NOT Microsoft. It is the OEMs selecting their choice of what
>to do in the case of their system failing their customers - the people who
>pay the OEMs for their products. There are several means available to the
>OEMs, and the OEMs are the ones who decide even if they're going to be at
>least somewhat honorable and furnish a "recovery" media set or go the
>really
>cheap route and require the customer to furnish their own media to create
>their own discs off a "recovery" partition on the hard drive.
Thanks
Juan I. Cahis
Santiago de Chile (South America)
Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it!

Chris, I fully agree with you. But a manufacturer that really cares
for their customers will be happy to solve quickly their problems, if
the intermediaries (the OEM) fail to do it.

"Chris H" <VistaMobilePC********.com> wrote:

>No. The original equipment manufacturer of a computer is the solution
>source for the consumer.
>
>The OEM for a Tablet PC is responsible because they are the distributor of
>the operating system software, and by law Microsoft cannot dictate to the
>OEM how they handle that. The current difference is Windows XP Pro and the
>Tablet PC Edition "superset" was specific to ONLY certain Tablet PC machines
>with very, very tight digitizer and screen criteria (much like Media Center
>Edition computers with screens and graphics cards with recording functions),
>so the consumer end results would be consistent experiences.
>
>With Vista, both Tablet PC functionalities and those of Media Center Edition
>have moved "main stream" and are no longer a specialized "superset" but in
>the actual operating system in various versions being offered. Note the
>complaints from people who bought Brand X computers expecting Tablet
>functionalities later to find out the required recognizer hardware - even
>though the screen swivels! - is not installed by the manufacturer. Are you
>happy about that? I'm not, and I don't believe Microsoft is either, butyou
>and I can do exactly the same thing as Microsoft with regard to that
>manufacturer - nothing. LOL!
>
>The "policy" hasn't changed. If you buy a new computer, chances are the
>manufacturer will give you only one option of three choices: (1) use the
>included discs, if actually enclosed, (2) create "recovery media" from a
>hidden partition on the hard drive on your own (extra) media when you goto
>the store and purchase it or (3) fill out the form and pay an extra charge
>and the OEM support section will send you a copy of the media for recovery.
>
>Vista now deals entirely with the operating system, which includes
>functionalities of both Tablet PC and Media Center editions which were only
>available to the public on specific, customized computers.
Thanks
Juan I. Cahis
Santiago de Chile (South America)
Note: Please forgive me for my bad English, I am trying to improve it!