Windows Media Center not loading

[skid]

Hi Guys,

I wonder if you can help as I'm not a real techie by any stretch of the imagination but I really thought I could load some Windows software properly!

I think I'm on my 6th install as it wont work properly.

Initially it loaded with XP giving me the MC icon thought though the front page graphics weren't great and loads of error messages kept popping up.

Anyway finally got it to load last night though noticed an pop up window that wouldn't work that came up between installing first and second disc. Anyway it carried on though it has never prompted me for the 3 rd Disc which I think is just updates.

Anyway the problem now is there is no MC icon for me to click on and load it up. I've paid a shit load of cash for XP MC and I've just got XP.

Also when I've tried to put the third disc in to load and click on it it says it wont work unless it's loaded onto Windows MC 2005. Well that's what I've bastard well paid for!!!!!!!! So I check the system ID and it's showing I have Windows MC 2002?????????/

What the hell is going on?

I've tried so many times and wasted a week of evenings and late nights pissing around that I'm really not happy.

For the record it's a bespoke made PC though it shouldn't be a problem. I've got the wifi internet to work and down loaded windowes updates but still can't get MC to open or recognise I've got 2005 MC not 2002!

Can any one please help????????

Cheers
Mark
p.s. it is pukka s/w not a rip off though in future I will endavour to rip off as much microsoft gear as I can 'cos I ain't paying for this shit again!

[Podie]

Installing MCE can be a PITA...

You should have 2 CDs - XP an the other has the cab files for MCE. When you boot CD1 you will need the product key, and later you will be prompted to insert CD2, and then probably go back to CD1 (it might call it CD3). One this is done you get the OOBE so just type in all your details...

As it's a self-build, I assume that all the hardware conforms to the MCE Logo Partner scheme... but even if it is, you'll still have to mess about with drivers - check device manager.

Then install your MPEG2 decoder, followed by your CD/DVD Sonic Encoders. Then install your AV package, then connect to the t'internet and Windows Update the thing. Download Rollup 2 ASAP as it has quite a lot of fixes.

HTH

[skid]

Hi Podie, many thanks for a quick response. Could you just comment on the followng though please.....

Podie said:

You should have 2 CDs - XP an the other has the cab files for MCE. When you boot CD1 you will need the product key, and later you will be prompted to insert CD2, and then probably go back to CD1 (it might call it CD3). One this is done you get the OOBE so just type in all your details...

I've got 3 CD's, 2 being labelled XPMC and one as updates. When loading CD1 all is ok, then it prompts me for CD2. I install CD2 and it has a pop up window looking for a file in the C drive???? I've tried looking and searching through but can't find owt. So I click OK and it carries on, but never prompts me for the 3rd CD or to go back to CD1?!?!?!?!

Podie said:

As it's a self-build, I assume that all the hardware conforms to the MCE Logo Partner scheme... but even if it is, you'll still have to mess about with drivers - check device manager.

Hmmmm.... not sure. It should be ok I guess as I got MC icon to load up once and start the MC initiation process. There were bugs getting the wifi internet to work, which prompted a format and reinstall. XP became spot on, but just no MC icon or option.

I've already gone to the internet in the hope that upgrades might help with the glitch but to no avail. XPMC lists as 2002, and CD 3 wont install as it's looking for XPMC2005!

PITA is right, but thanks for the help!

Mark
p.s. what's OOBE?

[rsvmilly]

Podie said:

As it's a self-build, I assume that all the hardware conforms to the MCE Logo Partner scheme...

How critical is this because I've been having fun and games trying to install MCE 2005 on a new PC I've built? Can't you just load the drivers for the hardware on, as normal?

I thought MCE was just XP Pro with a pretty face on it.

[Podie]

skid said:

Hi Podie, many thanks for a quick response. Could you just comment on the followng though please..... Podie said: You should have 2 CDs - XP an the other has the cab files for MCE. When you boot CD1 you will need the product key, and later you will be prompted to insert CD2, and then probably go back to CD1 (it might call it CD3). One this is done you get the OOBE so just type in all your details... I've got 3 CD's, 2 being labelled XPMC and one as updates. When loading CD1 all is ok, then it prompts me for CD2. I install CD2 and it has a pop up window looking for a file in the C drive???? I've tried looking and searching through but can't find owt. So I click OK and it carries on, but never prompts me for the 3rd CD or to go back to CD1?!?!?!?!

Hmmm… maybe its changed a little, I got it when it was just out. In which case I'd expect it to go CD1, CD2, CD1 and then CD3. The 2nd CD has the MCE CAB files on it… but it usually goes back to CD1 (which is XP) for a bit.

On the pop up, do you have the option to "browse" on a CD..? Any idea which file it's looking for..?

skid said:

Podie said: As it's a self-build, I assume that all the hardware conforms to the MCE Logo Partner scheme... but even if it is, you'll still have to mess about with drivers - check device manager. Hmmmm.... not sure. It should be ok I guess as I got MC icon to load up once and start the MC initiation process. There were bugs getting the wifi internet to work, which prompted a format and reinstall. XP became spot on, but just no MC icon or option.

You need a motherboard that supports S3 suspend, and you also need the Windows MCE remote. I would forget the wifi for now, and just it installed, then start putting the nice bits (like wifi) on top.

skid said:

I've already gone to the internet in the hope that upgrades might help with the glitch but to no avail. XPMC lists as 2002, and CD 3 wont install as it's looking for XPMC2005! PITA is right, but thanks for the help!

The updates just fix in-MCE issues, nothing else. If you're missing drivers, you need to install the correct ones via Device Manager. MCE is NOT an easy install. - it was never designed to be released, it was only ever an OEM programme.

skid said:

Mark p.s. what's OOBE?

Out Of Box Experience - it's an MS term… basically what you're supposed to get when you turn on the PC for the first time!

[Podie]

rsvmilly said:

Podie said: As it's a self-build, I assume that all the hardware conforms to the MCE Logo Partner scheme... How critical is this because I've been having fun and games trying to install MCE 2005 on a new PC I've built? Can't you just load the drivers for the hardware on, as normal? I thought MCE was just XP Pro with a pretty face on it.

There are some exceptions to the rule.. eg, the ATI Radeon X300 works, even though it's not listed, as it's essentially a cut down version of the X800 (or whichever one it is).

Some drivers are MCE specific - eg the Hauppage TV tuners actually have MCE drivers.

It's not critical on the routers (despite what MS say), motherboards are fine as long as they support S3, but with TV and video cards it can be a real PITA if you've not got the "approved" stuff.

[Podie]

Oh, and stick with Cyberlink PowerDVD or the nVidia equivalent...

[skid]

Podie said:

On the pop up, do you have the option to "browse" on a CD..? Any idea which file it's looking for..?

I didn't write it down as was 2am again (!!!) last night going through this.

The Motherboard is AsusP4c800 e Deluxe and should be ok, and TV card is Hauppage with remote so drivers again should be ok. Just can't get that far.

I'll do the process again tonight and jot everything down this time.

Out of interest when the window pops up between CD1 and 2 it does give me the browse option but the file it was looking for it is insisting is in the C drive??? This is what confuses me as anything that is on C can only have come from the CD, yet it's propmting me to take it out!



Cheers
Mark

[Podie]

skid said:

Podie said: On the pop up, do you have the option to "browse" on a CD..? Any idea which file it's looking for..? I didn't write it down as was 2am again (!!!) last night going through this. The Motherboard is AsusP4c800 e Deluxe and should be ok, and TV card is Hauppage with remote so drivers again should be ok. Just can't get that far. I'll do the process again tonight and jot everything down this time. Out of interest when the window pops up between CD1 and 2 it does give me the browse option but the file it was looking for it is insisting is in the C drive??? This is what confuses me as anything that is on C can only have come from the CD, yet it's propmting me to take it out! Cheers Mark

Mail me via my profile and I'll send you a document that might help.

Which Hauppage card is it..?

I need to know which file it is, as depending on what it's looking for it may well be missing something...

[skid]

Podie said:

Mail me via my profile and I'll send you a document that might help. Which Hauppage card is it..? I need to know which file it is, as depending on what it's looking for it may well be missing something...

Thanks Podie, I'll drop you an email this evening with more details in.

Cheers
M