Media Centre Edition vs XP Pro

[Jock]

Are the COA keys for Windows XP Media Centre Edition and XP Pro
interchangeable?

In other words, if I install XP Pro on a Media Centre Edition Key,
will it activate successfully?

Many thanks

 

[smlunatick]

NO! Every COA is unique for the level of XP. Media Center COA is for Media
Center Edition only.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Are the COA keys for Windows XP Media Centre Edition and XP Pro
interchangeable?

No.


In other words, if I install XP Pro on a Media Centre Edition Key,
will it activate successfully?

No.


Keys have to match the CDs with respect to Edition (Home vs.
Professional, etc.), Retail vs. OEM, and Full vs. Upgrade.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

No.


Keys have to match the CDs with respect to Edition (Home vs.
Professional, etc.), Retail vs. OEM, and Full vs. Upgrade.

One more point: If you are considering changing from XP MCE to XP
Professional, are you aware that Media Center Edition is essentially
XP Professional, plus its media features, and minus the ability to
join a domain? So unless you need the ability to join a domain
(something very few home users need), there's no advantage to doing
this.

 

[Jock]

One more point: If you are considering changing from XP MCE to XP
Professional, are you aware that Media Center Edition is essentially
XP Professional, plus its media features, and minus the ability to
join a domain? So unless you need the ability to join a domain
(something very few home users need), there's no advantage to doing
this.

I was aware of this but the PC came with no discs at all (PC World
special!). It does however have a valid COA on the side. Just thought
my XP Pro installation discs might do the job as the PC badly needs
formatting and a fresh start. Thanks anyway.

 

[LVTravel]

I was aware of this but the PC came with no discs at all (PC World
special!). It does however have a valid COA on the side. Just thought
my XP Pro installation discs might do the job as the PC badly needs
formatting and a fresh start. Thanks anyway.

The PC Manufacturer is required by it's license with Microsoft to enable a
user to return the computer to the shipped state or provide XP install
disks. You should have either a recovery disk or a hidden partition on your
system to restore the XP MCE to the hard drive. Of course back up all data
files since a system restore disk or recovery partition will wipe the drive.

Read the documentation that came with the computer to determine what rebuild
system PC World supplied.

 

[David Webb]

If your system has an I386 folder containing WinXP setup files, you can create
your own setup CD.

See this tutorial for details:
http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml