Downgrade Vista Premium to XP Media Center

[Guest]

I recently built my own PC and purchased an OEM copy of Vista Premium from
Frys. Due to may issues, I would like to downgrade to XP Media Center. I
don't have a copy of XP media center. Is this something that's obtainable
from Microsoft for a small fee or do I need to buy a whole new version of XP
Media Center?

I do have a copy of XP Pro, but not the Media Center edition. This newly
built PC's only purpose is to act as a Media Center. For the past month,
I've been working on getting all the bugs out, but I have finally given up.
I do like it's added features, but the stability of Media Center is horrible
(at least with my equipment - which is all Vista Certified).

Maybe I'll try Vista again in about a year or two.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Some OEM versions of Windows Vista have downgrade rights.
But IIRC the downgrade rights apply to Vista Business and Vista
Ultimate.
Check your EULA for applicability and details.

If your version qualifies, Microsoft will not furnish media or key
unless you pay full price.
You need to furnish your own media and key.
The downgrade rights are designed with large users in mind where they
already have the media and keys, usually Volume License customers.

 

[Mike Brannigan]

I recently built my own PC and purchased an OEM copy of Vista Premium from
Frys. Due to may issues, I would like to downgrade to XP Media Center. I
don't have a copy of XP media center. Is this something that's obtainable
from Microsoft for a small fee or do I need to buy a whole new version of
XP
Media Center?

I do have a copy of XP Pro, but not the Media Center edition. This newly
built PC's only purpose is to act as a Media Center. For the past month,
I've been working on getting all the bugs out, but I have finally given
up.
I do like it's added features, but the stability of Media Center is
horrible
(at least with my equipment - which is all Vista Certified).

Maybe I'll try Vista again in about a year or two.

Howard,

You have no right to downgrade under the licensing terms of your OEM Windows
Vista Home Premium product.
If you wish to use Windows XP Media Center then you will have to purchase
this as a new product.

You can view your rights - including any downgrade rights by reading the End
User License Agreement - which you can view at any time by running WINVER
and clicking on the link)

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I recently built my own PC and purchased an OEM copy of Vista Premium from
Frys. Due to may issues, I would like to downgrade to XP Media Center. I
don't have a copy of XP media center. Is this something that's obtainable
from Microsoft for a small fee or do I need to buy a whole new version of XP
Media Center?

You need to buy a whole new copy of XP MCE.

And just in case you don't realize it, you can't literally downgrade,
but will have to clean install MCE.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I recently built my own PC and purchased an OEM copy of Vista Premium from
Frys. Due to may issues, I would like to downgrade to XP Media Center. I
don't have a copy of XP media center. Is this something that's obtainable
from Microsoft for a small fee or do I need to buy a whole new version of XP
Media Center?

You'll need to purchase a full license for WinXP MCE from your favorite
software vendor.





--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -Benjamin Franklin

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. -Bertrand Russell