Installing XP Pro Upgrade over MCE

[Guest]

Hello and Merry Xmas,

I have MCE and would like to install my XP Pro Upgrade version, can I do
this?. I cannot find any information if this is possible, I know if I had a
previous version of OS I could, can I do so over MCE?.

Thanks

 

[Guest]

i wouldnt bother cos mce is built on xp pro anyway, but if you need it need i
would just say you should do a dual boot.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello and Merry Xmas,

I have MCE and would like to install my XP Pro Upgrade version, can I
do this?. I cannot find any information if this is possible, I know
if I had a previous version of OS I could, can I do so over MCE?.

You can only clean install Professional. There's no way to upgrade from MCE
to Professional, because it's actually a downgrade, not an upgrade.

Why do you want to do this? MCE is Professional with extra features. There's
nothing in Professional that's not also in MCE, witha single exception: MCE
can not join a domain. Unless you need to join a domain (and very few home
users do), there's no possible advantage to doing this.

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi,

MCE 2005 will not join a domain, unless its done during the initial
installation. Outside of that, MCE is a superset of XP Pro. To install XP
Pro will require a clean install. What makes you want to make the change?

Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org

 

[Guest]

Hello everyone...Merry Xmas,

I appriciate your replies, mainly my reason to switch is a requirment more
than anything as MCE does not support:

- My home music studio M-Audio Audiophile 2496 PCI sound card...and almost
$2000CAD in software (Cubase, ProTools, etc.)
- Wanted to have the ability to record TV prgrams as I work so much, was
advised my Best Buy where I bought this HP a1640n PC that it would
work...it's a ATI TV Wonder 200 PCI. The Catalyst software works fine, but
MCE does not reconize the TV Card.

So, since MCE does not support any music audio hardware/software is the main
reason, and all the upgrades that MCE apparently offers is no value for my
home, especially where is may cost me another $200 in RCA audio & S-Video
cable (30') to reach my entertainment center.

I just need a clean, reliable OS so I can enjoy the system for what I
require it for. If this was to be an upgrade to XP Pro platform, I don't
understand why for Media enhancements there are so many problems...almost
dictated to invest more money on hardware/software that is MCE complient,
which there is not allot currently it seems.

So, I presume I cannot do a install with my Upgrade version of XP Pro and
have now again to buy a Retail Full Version to do a clean install?.

Regards,

 

[Rock]

Hello everyone...Merry Xmas,

So, I presume I cannot do a install with my Upgrade version of XP Pro and
have now again to buy a Retail Full Version to do a clean install?.

No, you don't necessarily need a full version. An upgrade copy will do a
clean install but it asks for the CD for a qualifying product to be put in
the drive during the initial phase of the install. Do you have some form of
qualifying media CD that can be inserted such as a win98 CD? They can be
had for cheap on eBay. That would save you considerably.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello everyone...Merry Xmas,

I appriciate your replies, mainly my reason to switch is a requirment
more than anything as MCE does not support:

- My home music studio M-Audio Audiophile 2496 PCI sound card...and
almost $2000CAD in software (Cubase, ProTools, etc.)
- Wanted to have the ability to record TV prgrams as I work so much,
was advised my Best Buy where I bought this HP a1640n PC that it would
work...it's a ATI TV Wonder 200 PCI. The Catalyst software works
fine, but MCE does not reconize the TV Card.

So, since MCE does not support any music audio hardware/software is
the main reason,

I doubt very much that there iis any difference between MCE and Professional
in this regard. If one supports it, the other will too. You should look
elsewhere for what the problem is.

and all the upgrades that MCE apparently offers is
no value for my home, especially where is may cost me another $200 in
RCA audio & S-Video cable (30') to reach my entertainment center.

I just need a clean, reliable OS so I can enjoy the system for what I
require it for. If this was to be an upgrade to XP Pro platform, I
don't understand why for Media enhancements there are so many
problems...almost dictated to invest more money on hardware/software
that is MCE complient, which there is not allot currently it seems.

So, I presume I cannot do a install with my Upgrade version of XP Pro
and have now again to buy a Retail Full Version to do a clean
install?.

No, not at all. Contrary to what many people think, Upgrade versions *can*
do clean installations. The requirement to use an upgrade version is to
*own* a previous qualifying version's installation CD, not to have it
installed. When setup doesn't find a previous qualifying version installed,
it will prompt you to insert its CD as proof of ownership. Just insert the
previous version's CD, and follow the prompts. Everything proceeds quite
normally and quite legitimately.

MCE doesn't qualify this, but Windows 95, 98, 98SE, or Me does. If you don't
happen to own a CD of one of those, you can buy a used copy inexpensively on
eBay to qualify to use the Upgrade for a clean installation.

 

[Guest]

Hi Guys,

Thank you...I do own a ligitimate Upgrade version of Windows XP Pro, CD,
Key, etc...OEM version from my old P3 that crashed finally, hense buying a
new PC.

It does not contain all the SP2 updates but that can be downloaded, so if I
have this, you are saying I can safe money now and install?...if so that's
great news, thank you.

I will back everything up to my external and give this a go in a few days.

Merry Xmas

 

[Rock]

Hi Guys,

Thank you...I do own a ligitimate Upgrade version of Windows XP Pro, CD,
Key, etc...OEM version from my old P3 that crashed finally, hense buying a
new PC.

It does not contain all the SP2 updates but that can be downloaded, so if
I
have this, you are saying I can safe money now and install?...if so that's
great news, thank you.

I will back everything up to my external and give this a go in a few days.

As long as you have the CD for a qualifying product such as win95/98/me.
The upgrade version is retail, there are no OEM upgrade versions.

 

[Guest]

OEM Hi Rock,

An older OS version is what I don't have...so installing the Upgrade of OEM
XP Pro I have over the MCE won't work, I'll need a full version and complete
clean install...now I get it, Chitty...lol.

Thanks

 

[Rock]

OEM Hi Rock,

An older OS version is what I don't have...so installing the Upgrade of
OEM
XP Pro I have over the MCE won't work, I'll need a full version and
complete
clean install...now I get it, Chitty...lol.

Thanks

As I said you can buy a copy of Win98 on eBay for low cost, or buy one from
a friend or borrow one? I'm not telling you how to get it, that's up to
you, but they are easy to come by, and will save you quite a bit of money
over the cost of purchasing a full version of XP Pro, even OEM type.

 

[Guest]

Is there a maximum amount of times a OS install CD allows?. Reason I ask
this, I have had to re-install on my old PC at least 5 times, old thing
crashed allot.

I am told that if it prompts me to call Microsoft, I should as this copy of
have is still good no matter how many installs since it's for a new machine
as the old one died.

Searching ebay, a copy of '98 is certainly cheaper than a full XP Pro.

Thanks again

 

[Rock]

Is there a maximum amount of times a OS install CD allows?. Reason I ask
this, I have had to re-install on my old PC at least 5 times, old thing
crashed allot.

I am told that if it prompts me to call Microsoft, I should as this copy
of
have is still good no matter how many installs since it's for a new
machine
as the old one died.

Searching ebay, a copy of '98 is certainly cheaper than a full XP Pro.

Thanks again

You're welcome. There is no limit to the number of times you can install XP
on one machine. If it's a retail copy of XP it can be moved to another
machine as long as it's first removed from the computer on which it had been
installed. This transfer can occur as many times as you want, remove from
the first machine, install on another.

An OEM copy, by the end user license or EULA, is tied to the first computer
on which it's installed. It can't be transferred unless the computer on
which it's installed is transferred as well - in other words you have to
sell/give the computer and software together, but it has to stay with that
computer. If the computer dies, so does the license. That's one reason why
the OEM XP version is significantly cheaper than a retail copy.

An upgrade version is retail. There are no OEM upgrade versions. An
upgrade version, same as the full, retail version, can be used to upgrade
another computer as long as it's first removed from the first computer.

If XP is reinstalled on the same computer or moved to another computer and
it's been more than 120 days since the last time it was installed, then
activation should go through fine on the internet. If less then 120 days
you'll need to make a phone call.

 

[Guest]

Hello again,

This is great information, wish I did this type of chat before I bought this
PC...really wasn't that far from buying a MAC because of the history of
challenges with PC's, plus my wife really wanted one.

Looking at the CD I have, it seems to be a OEM full version. It would seem
that the the licence may not transfer from what what you say considering that
it is a OEM.

If this is the case, then it would be best to buy a full OEM XP Pro OS, even
better a retail version if the price is right...am I on track still?.

Thanks Rock

 

[Rock]

Hello again,

This is great information, wish I did this type of chat before I bought
this
PC...really wasn't that far from buying a MAC because of the history of
challenges with PC's, plus my wife really wanted one.

Looking at the CD I have, it seems to be a OEM full version. It would
seem
that the the licence may not transfer from what what you say considering
that
it is a OEM.

If this is the case, then it would be best to buy a full OEM XP Pro OS,
even
better a retail version if the price is right...am I on track still?.

Thanks Rock

You kept on saying you had an upgrade version? You don't have an upgrade
but an OEM full version? If that's the case, then by the license it's tied
to the first computer on which it was installed, and can't be used on
another computer. If you need to install XP on another computer, then there
are three choices:

1. Buy a full retail version of XP. This can do either an upgrade or a
clean install and is transferrable to another computer, if first removed.
This is the most expensive option.

2. Buy a OEM version. This can only do a clean install, it can't do an
upgrade, and is tied to the first computer on which it's installed. This
will be the lowest cost.

3. Buy the upgrade version (which is retail), and purchase or obtain the CD
for a qualifying product such as win95/98/ME. This can do either an upgrade
or a clean install. For the clean install it will ask you to insert the CD
for the qualifying product as proof. This version can be moved to another
computer. This is probably the best option. It is a bit more expensive
then #2, but it gives you the transferability, and considerably less
expensive than #1.

 

[chriswyn]

You kept on saying you had an upgrade version? You don't have an upgrade
but an OEM full version? If that's the case, then by the license it's tied
to the first computer on which it was installed, and can't be used on
another computer. If you need to install XP on another computer, then there
are three choices:

1. Buy a full retail version of XP. This can do either an upgrade or a
clean install and is transferrable to another computer, if first removed.
This is the most expensive option.

2. Buy a OEM version. This can only do a clean install, it can't do an
upgrade, and is tied to the first computer on which it's installed. This
will be the lowest cost.

3. Buy the upgrade version (which is retail), and purchase or obtain the CD
for a qualifying product such as win95/98/ME. This can do either an upgrade
or a clean install. For the clean install it will ask you to insert the CD
for the qualifying product as proof. This version can be moved to another
computer. This is probably the best option. It is a bit more expensive
then #2, but it gives you the transferability, and considerably less
expensive than #1.

 

[chriswyn]

You kept on saying you had an upgrade version? You don't have an upgrade
but an OEM full version? If that's the case, then by the license it's tied
to the first computer on which it was installed, and can't be used on
another computer. If you need to install XP on another computer, then there
are three choices:

1. Buy a full retail version of XP. This can do either an upgrade or a
clean install and is transferrable to another computer, if first removed.
This is the most expensive option.

2. Buy a OEM version. This can only do a clean install, it can't do an
upgrade, and is tied to the first computer on which it's installed. This
will be the lowest cost.

3. Buy the upgrade version (which is retail), and purchase or obtain the CD
for a qualifying product such as win95/98/ME. This can do either an upgrade
or a clean install. For the clean install it will ask you to insert the CD
for the qualifying product as proof. This version can be moved to another
computer. This is probably the best option. It is a bit more expensive
then #2, but it gives you the transferability, and considerably less
expensive than #1.

Good advice all round. I'm in the same boat as Bassman, but my audio
hard- and software is Native Instruments and Roland, both of which
specifically exclude Windows Media Centre from their supported OSes.
The Native Instruments soft instruments also require SP2. Also, there
is also the problem of audio latency, which means we need to run as
"lean" a system as possible (no services, TSRs or resident auto-protect
programs . . . etc,etc, ETC!). This is also why XP Pro is preferable -
MCE is more resource-intensive, and it takes very little to introduce
glitches to an already-taxed system.
Cheers, have a great New Year!
Chris