Baffling Problem MCE2005 Problem

[ColTom2]

Hi:

I purchased a Sony VGC-716G desktop factory refurbished computer in June
05 with Windows Media Center 2004. Shortly thereafter I purchased from Sony
the Media Center 2005 upgrade and installed it with no problems.

I created Sony Recovery System and Application discs and also purchased
from Sony their System Recovery VGC-RA710 Series discs just to be sure that
I never had any recovery problems that I could not resolve.

I did do one reformat after purchase of the computer and prior to
installing the Media Center 2005 upgrade with no problems. Later I installed
the Media Center 2005 upgrade, as indicated with no problems.

This week I had to reformat this computer again and have run into a MAJOR
problem. I have used both my locally created System Recovery discs as well
as Sony's System Recovery discs to try and resolve this problem.

When I now run the System Recovery I end up with Media Center 2002 and
afterwards run the 2005 upgrade I still end up with Media Center 2002 SP2.
My computer has the Microsoft label Media Center 2004 on the back of it with
applicable Product Code.

The first time that I realized my problem with having MCE2002 was after
the first reformat and upgrade and had run all applicable Windows Updates
and realized that none of them included the MCE Roll Up 2 and subsequent MCE
updates. The only Roll Up update that appears now is after the 2005 upgrade
and it's Roll Up 2 KB900325 and it will not install because I do not have
MCE2005, but MCE2002.

I have been unable to recovery my system back to the MCE 2004 where I can
run the MCE2005 upgrade and return my system to the previous Operating
System.

Any recommendations as to how I can resolve this issue and get back
MCE2005 will GREATLY be appreciated. I have now reformatted 3 times to no
avail.

Thanks,

Col Tom

 

[RalfG]

The first issue is likely a NON-problem. Very common too, because Windows
does not
update the MCE version number that is reported in System Properties. When
MCE is updated from 2002 to 2005 it continues to report 2002 in System
Properties. Mine came with MCD 2005 SP2 preinstalled and it also shows 2002
as the version in System properties.

To find the real version number for your MCE you need to open Media Center,
go to Settings, General and open About Media Center, followed by Software
Version.

The rollup issue is something separate and may have to do with the order
that updates are installed and other preconditions. Check the preconditions
for the rollups that you are having trouble with. You might have to
uninstall certain other updates first before the rollup can be installed ...

For example, from MS KB article 900325: "Note To install this update, you
must have Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 and .NET Framework 1.1 SP1
installed."... "If the 886904 update is installed, you must uninstall the
886904 update before you install Update Rollup 2 for Microsoft Windows XP
Media Center Edition 2005. Otherwise, the .NET Framework 1.1 SP1
installation will not succeed."

 

[Doug Knox - [MS-MVP]]

Please verify your version of MCE.

http://www.salloway.org.uk/MediaCenter/2004/version.htm

Some OEM versions will have a registry value that is set incorrectly. The
specific Registry value is the Ident value in:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center

If your Ident value is incorrect, you can use Media Center Ident Set by MVP
Mark Salloway to correct it.

http://www.salloway.org.uk/MediaCenter/util/index.htm#ident

--
Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart
Display\Security
Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
http://www.dougknox.com

 

[ColTom2]

Hi:

Thanks to both of you guys, as I checked and do have MCE2005 installed
after I chceked the MCE settings.However, in the System Properties Screen it
still shows Windows XP MCE2002 SP2.

Now I have another problem related to Windows Updates. I have 82 High
Prioirty updates that I can download, but everytime I try to install they
all fail installing after trying to initialize installation.

Got any suggetions on this one?

Thanks,

Col Tom

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Hi:

Thanks to both of you guys, as I checked and do have MCE2005 installed
after I chceked the MCE settings.However, in the System Properties Screen it
still shows Windows XP MCE2002 SP2.

That's because the underlying system *is* still Microsoft Windows XP
Professional Version 2002 SP2. MCE is a separate program (well, more
like a Siamese twin) with its own version number - as others already
told you.

<SNIP>