From XP Media Center to Home Basic is Possible?

[MapleE.]

Hi:
The PC is pre-installed with XP Media Center 2005.

However, I prefer XP Home Edition. If it's possible to switch from
Media Center to XP Home, I plan to purchase a CD through a reliable
source. Before doing so, I would like to know regarding un-install
Medial Center and then install Home Edition.

Thanks for your help in advance.

 

[RandyM]

The PC is pre-installed with XP Media Center 2005.

However, I prefer XP Home Edition. If it's possible to switch from
Media Center to XP Home, I plan to purchase a CD through a reliable
source. Before doing so, I would like to know regarding un-install
Medial Center and then install Home Edition.

It will have to be a clean install of XP Home. There is no way to
downgrade an installation.

 

[cf]

Of historical note on Fri, 25 Apr 2008 01:26:05 -0400
"MapleE." <someone|@comcast.net> scribed:

|Hi:
|The PC is pre-installed with XP Media Center 2005.
|
|However, I prefer XP Home Edition. If it's possible to switch from
|Media Center to XP Home, I plan to purchase a CD through a reliable
|source. Before doing so, I would like to know regarding un-install
|Medial Center and then install Home Edition.
|
|Thanks for your help in advance.
|

In addition RandyM's reply, check out Michael Stevens site for assistance. Here is a link to XP Clean Install:
<http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html>
He also has other very useful information that you may wish to read before starting.

During the installation of XP Home you'll want to format the drive. Make sure that anything you want to keep is backed up on cd/dvd before starting as all data on the drive will be lost when you format it.

hth

 

[Doug]

| Hi:
| The PC is pre-installed with XP Media Center 2005.
|
| However, I prefer XP Home Edition. If it's possible to switch from
| Media Center to XP Home, I plan to purchase a CD through a reliable
| source. Before doing so, I would like to know regarding un-install
| Medial Center and then install Home Edition.
|
| Thanks for your help in advance.
|

The other responses you got are correct. I would add a question.

Are you sure you want/need to take this "lot of work little gain" step?

Windows Media Center Edition looks and acts exactly like Windows XP until
you actually start the Media Center interface. You can even disable the few
Media Center services that start by default if resources are a concern.
(they all start with ehome...)

The one functional difference involves domain membership which obviously
doesn't apply to you since you mention wanting XP Home which doesn't support
domains at all.

IOW without your initiating the Media Center Interface you would never know
it was there. You would have the same exact interface as XP Home, a few
added security features found in XP Pro and zero drawbacks that I can see.

D

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi:
The PC is pre-installed with XP Media Center 2005.

However, I prefer XP Home Edition.

Why? Are you aware that they are identical except that Media Center
includes a few features (besides the media features, others related to
security and networking) missing from Home?

Simply don't use any of MCE's extra features, and you should be unable
to tell it from Home Edition.

If it's possible to switch from
Media Center to XP Home,

Only by doing a clean installation of XP Home, thereby losing
everything on the drive.