Media Center on Vista....would you ?

[Someone]

Hey all,

I have a MCE 2005 machine that is running fine, it's used only for a TV, no
other features and never go out of media center accept when there is a an
issue or system needs a reboot (even have scheduled automatic reboots, 2
times a week). The system is a P4 1.8ghz, 1gb of ram, plenty of hd space, a
Geforce 6300 256mb card. The Tuner end is one 250mce, a 150mce and another
HDTV tuner card (I forget off the top of my head, it's a major brand).

Not worried about HD channels (as I only get 2-3 crappy ones off air where I
live)but, I was thinking about installing Vista Beta 2 on it, as I can
install it on 10 machines. Just for the Media Center side of it, I would
strip/tweek down as much as I can (no glass, no themes, disable services not
needed, etc), as I only want the MCE interface when it boots up.

I am interested in seeing the next version of My TV, so I'd like to install
it unless people don't feel that I should for one of the reasons below...

1. System cant handle it (if it's a little sluggish, not that big of a deal
but, if live tv does not work etc, that's a problem).
2. Vista MCE is to buggy to use for this right now.

Anyone really using it ? Thoughts ? Is it worth a shot or is it going to be
not worth the trouble ?

Thanks

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Do not overwrite MCE. Unless you can create a new partition for Vista or
install it to an available empty drive, do not install Vista but wait for
the release in Q1 of 2007. You cannot roll Vista back to XP. If you can
install it to a separate partition or drive, then go for it. There are
third party tools that can make a new partition for you without wiping out
MCE.

 

[MICHAEL]

I don't think you should. First, it's beta and in this beta
Media Center is one of the buggier components.


-Michael

 

[Someone]

Ok, one says go for it, one says don't. 50/50...hmmmm....

Anyway, My plan was to pull out my MCE drive (I have 2 drives in the
machine, one 20gb for the OS/Drivers/settings and backups. The other drive
is for all the recorded shows (120gb and always about 20-60gb free,
depending on the part of the season). Or just install Vista to the 120gb
drive, dual boot it. If MCE dies by chance, I can have it up and running in
an hour (have a backup image of it, had to do it before with Rollup2 for MCE
05)....still would like to have a "TV" backup incase, so I will not over
write the OS..

I know it's a beta, and buggy at that. If the MCE side works Ok to pretty
well, It might be worth me checking out (because I am really interested in
seeing it.). Hoping it will run on the system and be stable enough to make
it to RC1...... Just really wondering if it's worth the time to install it,
will it be worth it.....

Any more thoughts ?

 

[MICHAEL]

Well, you sound like you have a plan. I agree with
Colin, so long as you don't overwrite your present
install or have adequate backups- go for it.


-Michael

 

[Someone]

Here's one more for you....Does vista use the same XML system for scheduling
recordings ? What I have done in the past (rebuilding MCE), is save the XML
files before rebuilding, when it's up and running, replace the files and it
sets all the old recording settings back up....

That would make life so much easier....

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

He can transfer the settings with the migration tool built into Vista. It
is launched from the splash screen by inserting the dvd while in the MCE
desktop.

 

[Ground Cover]

RC1 should be out in August .. the current Beta 2 is, well, very much a
beta.

Never install these things unless you are willing to loose all data on the
computer and start from scratch. If you are not willing to risk that, then
don't. If you are willing to take the risk .. go for it.

 

[DJ Bjorklund]

I agree with Mike. Beta 2 5384 Media Center VEEERY buggy indeed.