XP Media Centre Edition

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chrisdc

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Anyone remember this version? Found a copy that was never used. Misplaced the booklet with the product key on the back....err, well for several years. I see it's dated 2005. If I installed it, any reason why I wouldn't be able to register it? Is there a time limit?
 
Without the key, you won't be able to complete the installation. I can also confirm that if you use an XP Pro Key with an XP MCE CD, it will just install vanilla XP Pro without the Media Centre feature.

If you have a key, you'll have no problems installing and activating the OS.
 
Search the cd for a file, think it's called setupp.ini (in the i386 folder As far as I can remember), in there is a generic key, will give you 30 days
 
Totempole said:
That doesn't mean the old OS will become unusable. You'll still be able to activate and use the OS, it'll just develop a lot of security holes.
Click to expand...

This is the part I was wondering about, if it will still activate once support has ended. And it looks like support is still there for the moment so I should be good - either way.

Thanks everyone for the input. The little booklet with the key attached to it did eventually turn up, so no problems there.
 
Why bother with it though?, install XBMC on windows 7 for a stable windows HTPC. You need a modern OS anyway if you're going to handle drives bigger than 2TB.
 
Aqua_lung said:
Why bother with it though?, install XBMC on windows 7 for a stable windows HTPC. You need a modern OS anyway if you're going to handle drives bigger than 2TB.
Click to expand...

Believe it or not, I do hear you. In my case it comes down to "Do I drive a SUV because I need one or because my neighbor has one?" I'm writing this reply on my iPad, so am not averse to new technology. My PCs are used for admin and CAD. I've got these paid for OS and some older kit that works well with them. Hate waste and don't want to upgrade just for the sake of it.
 
Boy was that fun! Spent half a day Googling error codes and trying to circumvent an assortment of problems with my installation. To cut a very long story short, seems there was a bit of a balls up on the part of Microsoft regarding the order in which the discs are loaded. This was a 3 disc OEM set. XP disk 1, XP disk 2, and a separate updates disc. You are prompted for XP disc 1, then XP disc 2, then the updates CD. What it actually needs is disk 1, then disc 2, then disc 1 again. Disc 3 you throw away because it won't work anyway and then you download and install Service Pack 3. Many thanks to "craigwatanabe" who posted the original question on "tech spot.com" and "civdiv" who answered and finally solved it. Aren't these forums great?

Anyway it works great now, what other operating system is ready to go about 60 seconds after you hit the power button? One of the reasons I like XP so much. The validation process took seconds to complete by the way, so MS are still honoring that part of the process.
 
chrisdc said:
Boy was that fun! Spent half a day Googling error codes and trying to circumvent an assortment of problems with my installation. To cut a very long story short, seems there was a bit of a balls up on the part of Microsoft regarding the order in which the discs are loaded. This was a 3 disc OEM set. XP disk 1, XP disk 2, and a separate updates disc. You are prompted for XP disc 1, then XP disc 2, then the updates CD. What it actually needs is disk 1, then disc 2, then disc 1 again. Disc 3 you throw away because it won't work anyway and then you download and install Service Pack 3. Many thanks to "craigwatanabe" who posted the original question on "tech spot.com" and "civdiv" who answered and finally solved it. Aren't these forums great?

Anyway it works great now, what other operating system is ready to go about 60 seconds after you hit the power button? One of the reasons I like XP so much. The validation process took seconds to complete by the way, so MS are still honoring that part of the process.
Click to expand...

Is that a trick question?
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
Is that a trick question?
Click to expand...

No why? :)

Seriously, back in about 2006 I bought a new laptop with Vista installed. That took about half an hour to boot. My experience with subsequent Win versions were better, but nothing's ever rivaled XP for getting going in a hurry - at least in my experience.

Ok, I take that back, this iPad will boot in around 10 sec if it's off, and about half a sec if it's gone to sleep.
 
Last edited:
chrisdc said:
No why? :)

Seriously, back in about 2006 I bought a new laptop with Vista installed. That took about half an hour to boot. My experience with subsequent Win versions were better, but nothing's ever rivaled XP for getting going in a hurry - at least in my experience.

Ok, I take that back, this iPad will boot in around 10 sec if it's off, and about half a sec if it's gone to sleep.
Click to expand...

The Windows 8 machines at our office boot in about 15 seconds for the slower ones and the i7 boots in about 10 seconds from cold. My Macbook Air also boots in about 10 seconds.
 
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