I purchased a Gateway Media Center 610XL eight months ago with the assurance that any upgrades to the operating system after purchase would be free. Gateway is now claiming that Media Center 2005 isn't an upgrade, but an entirely new OS. Gateway says that the only way to get Media Center 2005 is to purchase a new Media Center PC, despite the fact that the company isn't selling any at present. What can I do?

Brendan McGarvey, Pearl River, NY

On Your Side responds: When I contacted Gateway, the company stood by its policy that Media Center 2005 is a "completely new operating system and will not be available for upgrades." However, an OEM version of the operating system is offered for purchase at online retailers like Directron for $130. For more details, read the Today @ PC World blog entry by Senior Associate Editor Eric Dahl here.

--Stephanie Layton

Stephanie Layton is an editorial assistant for PC World. You can send her e-mail at onyourside@pcworld.com.