Swapping XP Media Center Edition for XP Pro

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1Way

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What is the procedure to get rid of a previous OS, and put on a different one on a new laptop?

I bought a laptop to be the brains for my DAW, but it came installed with XP Media Center Edition, and most DAW software do not support XP MCE, and about everyone suggests getting rid of XP MCE. I can get online with my desktop system to get updated drivers as the case may be.

I have all the CD's that come with the laptop (Toshiba Satellite), and the XP Pro install disk too.
 
Backup all the stuff you need (files, IE Favorites, emails, etc...), download and burn to CD all the drivers (video, LAN, wireless, motherboard, etc...) for the laptop and insert and boot off the XP Pro installation CD and follow the on screen instructions.

Once that is done, you reinstall all the drivers, go to the Windows Update site, update with all Microsoft's patches, reinstall all your apps and restore your personal files.

Takes me about 4-5 hours to do this.
 
Personally I would spring for a new HDD (not necessary, but safe) and a copy of XP Pro and just start over!
 
1Way ,

Here are some links I found concerning the differences in XP MCE and XP Pro ,

I have XP MCE and have no problems with it, but I don't use this box as a DAW
only... it's a multi-purpose box , with different external hds for different uses.

1. http://discussions.hardwarecentral.com/showthread.php?t=169084

2. http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_mce2005.asp

3. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/compare.mspx

4. http://windows.about.com/od/updatingupgrading/a/xp_home_prof.htm


1Way , I have not had any issues with XP MCE and this computer ,like I did
with my old computer ( I suspect the chipset and soundcard didn't get along )
I'm using my old soundcard with no issues. Your Mileage May Vary tho . . .

Stephen
 
brzilian said:
Backup all the stuff you need (files, IE Favorites, emails, etc...), download and burn to CD all the drivers (video, LAN, wireless, motherboard, etc...) for the laptop and insert and boot off the XP Pro installation CD and follow the on screen instructions.

Once that is done, you reinstall all the drivers, go to the Windows Update site, update with all Microsoft's patches, reinstall all your apps and restore your personal files.

Takes me about 4-5 hours to do this.
Click to expand...
:eek: :( :eek: Dang, I hear you I do! I am naturally going to avoid doing this. It would likely take me even longer as I have not done this sort of thing in eons.

wheelema said:
Personally I would spring for a new HDD (not necessary, but safe) and a copy of XP Pro and just start over!
Click to expand...
Good point, nice alternative! I might could use a nice fast 7200 spin sata laptop HDD anyway! :cool: Very interesting... :D

Very good idea! Also makes getting into a slightly cheaper laptop easier, then swap out offending hard drive,,,,,,,, or wait, can I do that? Seems like I could if the Mobo supports it... Hmmmmm :confused:
 
StephenEC said:
1Way ,

Here are some links I found concerning the differences in XP MCE and XP Pro ,

I have XP MCE and have no problems with it, but I don't use this box as a DAW
only... it's a multi-purpose box , with different external hds for different uses.

1. http://discussions.hardwarecentral.com/showthread.php?t=169084

2. http://www.winsupersite.com/reviews/windowsxp_mce2005.asp

3. http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/evaluation/compare.mspx

4. http://windows.about.com/od/updatingupgrading/a/xp_home_prof.htm


1Way , I have not had any issues with XP MCE and this computer ,like I did
with my old computer ( I suspect the chipset and soundcard didn't get along )
I'm using my old soundcard with no issues. Your Mileage May Vary tho . . .

Stephen
Click to expand...
Very cool links, I did not know you could Pro out an (eom) MCE version by submitting an Pro key. Not, not sure what an OEM disk means. Probably does not mean the Toshiba Recovery and Applications disk...(?)

Also, I may be alright with my MCE machine for the next 2 weeks or so. I am new to DAW's and feel like I just need some help letting my DAW software work with my hardware. So far it's just not working right. I downloaded (demo) versions of Sonar and Cubase SX because they seem more attractive to me. But the Presonus firebox comes with Cubase LE and so I will try installing that next as it might be easier to learn how to set it up for my hardware...

Thanks much for the info! Very cool stuff!

I wonder if I can just shut off the media center stuff since I don't use it???
 
StephenEC said:
1Way , check out the following links for software choice , these links
are for " Reaper " ... try the Trial ...it's fully functional and works like a charm.

1. http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=219979


2. http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=214541&highlight=REAPER
Click to expand...
I have had several folks suggest the same thing to me. I even joined their forum, so rest assured that I am interested. I plan on giving them a try, but at the same time, I plan on using what others have used as well. I would like to learn a bit more about the ins and outs of PC DAW studio work. If I don't have that sort of experience under my belt, I wouldn't know what I was missing from the Reaper (or any other DAW) program.

In my head I know I want to plug my guitar into my pc and put great amp modeling on it, or creating a rhythm section fo me to record over, but I don't know how to do these basic things, and I don't even know what to call them half the time. One thing that I find greatly impressive is the way you can manipulate vocal tracks. I have my doubts that Reaper has reached that level of sophistication, so I suspect I'll be using different programs.

If you've used different DAW/studio programs, what would you say is the strong points for Reaper? :cool:
 
That is crap,

I have XP MCE and I do not have any problems out of it, I have a Firewire 410 and here is what it says on thier website




Windows XP Media Center Edition


Q: What is Windows XP Media Center Edition?

A: Windows XP Media Center Edition (WMCE) is a version of Microsoft’s Windows operating system designed to incorporate advanced home entertainment functionality. While WMCE shares many of the features of Windows XP Professional, it is a distinct version of Windows XP, separate from both XP Professional and XP Home.

A more comprehensive description and history of WMCE is available here.



Q: Can I use my M-Audio device with Windows XP Media Center Edition?

A: At this time, no M-Audio device drivers are supported under Windows XP Media Center Edition (WMCE). This means that any M-Audio device designed to interface with your computer via USB, FireWire, or PCI/PCI-X is not supported for use with WMCE. Additionally, M-Audio USB devices designed to function without installing a driver (aka “class compliant devices”) are also not currently supported under WMCE.

The technical support team at Sweetwater.com deals with pro-audio recording equipment and software from most every major manufacturer. Sweetwater has compiled an unofficial list of WMCE incompatibilities that suggests an industry-wide lack of support for WMCE.



Q: How do I know if I have Windows XP Media Center Edition installed on my system?

A: If you are unsure whether or not you are using XP Home, Professional, or Media Center Edition, you can do the following:

1. Go to the Start button in the lower left-hand corner of your computer screen.

2. Click on the Control Panel icon, then locate and double-click the System icon.

3. The General tab of the System Properties dialog displays information on which version of Windows XP you are using.




like i said, I dont have any problems with the software, there is plenty of support out their for it, even if they dont tell you there is!
 
StephenEC

So is Reaper the only daw your using on that machine?

And BTW, one of the tech guys here found a thing on the MS website that basically said that MCE is really just Pro with some added bells & whistles.
 
I got my DAW running ok on MCE, but I don't have anything to compare it to. Seems to be running just fine to me tho. I have a few drop outs now and then, but I am not even sure I have the system configured properly yet... These programs are really complex!
 
notCardio said:
And BTW, one of the tech guys here found a thing on the MS website that basically said that MCE is really just Pro with some added bells & whistles.
Click to expand...


Yep......................
 
notCardio said:
So is Reaper the only daw your using on that machine?

And BTW, one of the tech guys here found a thing on the MS website that basically said that MCE is really just Pro with some added bells & whistles.
Click to expand...


The only true difference in versions of Windows XP is between the X86 versions (32 bit) and the X64 version (64 bit) . Windows XP home , Pro , media center edition all have the same basic structure , there is NO difference other than some of the add on modules and their capabilities, there is NO difference in stability.

Media center edition is NOT pro , pro allows you to log onto a domain controller , use Active directory services and use dynamic disk management , MCE does NOT allow you to do this, neither does Home.

;)
 
cortexx said:
The only true difference in versions of Windows XP is between the X86 versions (32 bit) and the X64 version (64 bit) . Windows XP home , Pro , media center edition all have the same basic structure , there is NO difference other than some of the add on modules and their capabilities, there is NO difference in stability.

Media center edition is NOT pro , pro allows you to log onto a domain controller , use Active directory services and use dynamic disk management , MCE does NOT allow you to do this, neither does Home.

;)
Click to expand...

Yes, but you can hack it to allow this ... it's just disabled to prevent it's use in corporate environments (since it's cheaper ... they wat you to buy the expensive stuff!).

I'm running MCE on my mixing machine, with Cubase SX3. No porblems at all.
 
notCardio said:
So is Reaper the only daw your using on that machine?

And BTW, one of the tech guys here found a thing on the MS website that basically said that MCE is really just Pro with some added bells & whistles.
Click to expand...


notCardio , I downloaded the trial of Reaper, and I think it's Great ,I have used

Acid Pro , Sonic Forge and I use Diamond Cut 6 for converting my LP's to

wav files. From my limited use of Reaper , I took to it like a Duck to Water ,

for doing what I do ( not recording Live Music ). I'm doing some music bits

that are more along the lines of " Comic Relief ". But , just Because I'm not

recording Live Music, doesn't mean that the Reaper doesn't Rock , "Cause it

does in My Opinion.

Stephen
 
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