Can I upgrade to Media Center [Archive] - The PC Guide Discussion Forums

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ice

12-06-2007, 11:14 PM

Hi. I have a license and copy of XP Pro Upgrade. But, I'm gettin rid of my TiVo and plan on turning my computer into a media center pc. I got a Athlon 64 2800+, 120gb and 320gb external, nVidia GeForce FX 5500 and will be upgrading my 512mb to 2gb of ram. I've already got a XP/Vista Media Center compatible TV tuner. But I don't have Media Center. Eventually I'll upgrade to Vista, but for the time being, is it possible to use my XP Pro license for media center? Could I download an ISO of Media Center cd's and use my key isntead? thanks

pentachris

12-06-2007, 11:31 PM

...is it possible to use my XP Pro license for media center? Could I download an ISO of Media Center cd's and use my key isntead?

Not only can we not advise that for legal reasons, I don't think it'll work anyway.

That being said, there is no Vista Media Center edition. I'm not sure if that's what you're looking for, your question is kind of vague.

The Vista versions with media center capabilities are Home Premium and Ultimate. You cannot upgrade from XP Pro to Vista Home Premium, you have to do a clean install. You can, however, upgrade to Ultimate.

Not sure if this completely answers your question; clarify if it doesn't.

ice

12-07-2007, 04:05 PM

Sorry for the vaugeness in my initial question. But, you pretty much answered it. My plan is to eventually upgrade to Vista Premium...and I never do an upgrade anyhow. ALWAYS....ALWAYS I do a clean install, so that's not what I was worried about. But since you don't think XP MCE would work with my XP Pro key, I'll just have to wait till I get Vista. Thanks

Erik

12-09-2007, 03:16 PM

It won't work. The key is what tells the installer to ask for the second CD with the MCE features to be installed.

However there are other programs you can install in XP Pro that will give the same functionality as MCE 2005.

ice

12-09-2007, 05:17 PM