Windows Xp Media Center Edition

I know this is far fetched but;
Is it possible to run Windows Xp Media Center Edition as a second OS on my DELL Dimension 3000 Series PC? I gotta feeling the answer is no but I just wanted to check it out for sure. The reason I want Windows Xp Media Center Edition is for the Media Center functions on the Xbox360.

 

You can run WMC as a second OS for sure. What are you running now?

 

What I do is pin a cheap (40 gig or something) harddrive to master and install OS. Next I reinstall original Master hardrive and pin the new harddrive (with the new OS) to slave and add it as a slave drive.

When I need to switch between OS's I reboot, hit delete while booting and enter my bios. Once in the bios I switch boot sequence so that HD1 is ahead of HD0.

There are softwares out there that makes it easier for silly people however i manage to accomplish all in a matter of seconds.

good luck

 

Right now I have Windows Xp Home Edition. BTW my DELL Dimension 3000 series PC isn't a Media Center PC, Will it still work?

@Zer0ink: I have no idea what you just posted lol

 

It might be easier to just back up your sensitive data and install MCE instead of Home. it has everything Home has, plus some other stuff to make it more fun and pretty (a new skin, the dancer, and media center, etc.)
And yes, you can install it even if your PC isn't a "Media Center PC". I just installed it on mine instead of Pro x64.

 

Thats just what I was hoping I would hear! But even though my computer isnt a media center PC will I still be able to use the Media Center funtions on my Xbox360? BTW, Im new at this so could you tell me or show to me a guide that shows how to uninstall Windows XP and out MCE on?

 

I just helped a friend synch his 360 upto his alienware (non-media center) laptop. You shouldn't need a guide. As long as you have a valid MCE 2005 (it has to be 2005 to sych with 360) and a valid activation code, you should have no trouble getting MCE installed. Just put the CD/DVD in your drive, restart, boot from CD/DVD and follow on-screen prompts to format your harddrive and install MCE on a new partition. Once you get it up and registered, thats when you follow the 360's instructions. remember, you have to have media center program open on your PC to use the media center on your 360.

 

Ok, I'll give it a shot. I can't wait for this to be done and working so I can record TV. BTW thanks to everyone for the help so far

 

HOLY HELL!!

All ya have to do is alter your boot.ini file and add a second line to point to the second drive as a boot option. Select either or from the menu during boot, and be done with it.



For example: (change the drive option - aka, from disk(0) to disk(1))

[boot loader]
timeout=3
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
[bold]multi(0)disk(1)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect[/bold]

 

or you could right click my computer, go to properties > advanced, and choose a different "default operating system" from the drop down list. click ok and reboot.

 

Thats the way I like stuff explained to me, in plain english lol. But this is how I select what one I want it to start up in if after I have the 2 OS installed, right?

Here's the deal so far.
I am trying to get the Media Center Functions on my Xbox 360 and I need to put XP: MCE on my PC in order to get them.

I am using Paragon partition Manager to make a partition but I have a problem. I make the partition in the program [without saving anything and making all the final changes] but it wont let me convert it to NTFS, it is stuck on FREE. I am following a post by another momeber who said it has to me in NTFS in order for it to work. Is there something I have to do to get this to change to NTFS for me?

 

yes, the "my computer" method is what you do to reboot into the 2nd OS.
remember that you need MCE 2005. 2002 won't work. tried it. won't work, and couldn't find a way to update it to 2005.
I am not familiar with Paragon. I use Norton Partition Magic.
If the partition gets created, you could try saving your settings and booting off of the MCE CD/DVD and when you are asked what partition you want to instal to, you should be given a choice between your existing partition and the one you just created. Choose the one you just created, and Windows will format it to NTFC for you. If you are not given a choice between two partitions, back out of the process. If you go any further you run the risk of destroying data.
good luck.

 

Ok, Since Paragon isnt working for me I'll try Norton Partition Magic.

What do you mean "back out of the process" You mean turn off the PC?
I got soo close to making the new partition with Paragon but for some reason it wont let me convert it? Got any idea why?

For some reason when I get Norton Partition Magic it is always Powerquest Partition Magic? I don't know why

 

I just thought of something. When I installed Windows Xp I chose to delete all the other partitions that were there and use all the availiable for XP. Does this mean that in order to put Media Center Edition on I have to Uninstall XP and re install in with some extra space so there is enough room to actually make a partition?

 

by "back out" i mean, Esc. F3, or whatever other method Windows dictates you Quit the installation.
Like I said, I have no idea about Paragon's software, I could even venture a guess as to why it won't convert.
as far as whether or not you need to uninstall XP; no, you just need to create another partition with paragon or partition magic.
I personally hate dual-boot with 2 Windows OS's, but that is just me. I would personally get rid of XP for MCE, but it is not necessary.

 

Ok, I have been working on this all day [I'm a litte frustrated] and so far all I have gotten is a partition. I had to uninstall Windows Xp and leave space for a 4 gig partition so I could install XP: MCE on it. But I have one more problem now. I have XP: MCE on my computer and it is in two discs each one containing a .SVF file, a .BIN file and a .CUE file. How do I burn these to a disc that will allows me to install XP: MCE and actually use it. Up until now I have just been accidentally placing the files on the disc and they werent burnt like a ISO. What programs would you recommend to burn it with?

 

nero burning rom, power iso, ultra iso.
those three have all worked for me in the past. especially the first two.

 

I tried Nero but when I inserted the discs I burnt into my CD-Rom drive instead of being the program I wanted it is just the files there as if they were on a floppy disc