Question about clean install of XP MCE for Sage use

[Kirby]

I purchased an XP MCE license as it was cheaper than a XP PRo license, and was installing it last night, but think I screwed something up. When the install got to the point to ask for disk 2, I just cancelled that part of it, figured disc 2 was all MCE stuff only, and then the install finished as normal. This is for a sage client only, so no tuners exist in the system.

Whats missing is just little things, like Internet Explorer, I cant make the system share files or find network shares. There is no firewall installed (the windows firewall icon in control panel says there are missing system files).

So whats the proper way to do this? Should I just redo the install using both discs, and then disable the few MCE services? There did appear to be two CABs on the 2nd disc that were not MCE related. One appeared to be MS Plus Pack (saw aquarium files, etc) and the other was named something about 'net' so I am guessing thats why I am missing some of the vital stuff above.

The TCP stack did install and function properly though, as I was able to connect to Windows Update and download all updates, plus I was able to activate over the internet.

[geogecko]

Yep, I'd reinstall. Who knows what other stuff is messed up.

It's not that hard to disable the 3 MCE services, but you just have to remember to do this EVERY time you do a MCE Roll-up Update. It will re-enable those services again...

[Kirby]

So it wont b*tch and moan about the lack of a TV tuner in the system? I'll do the reinstall this afternoon for sure though.

[geogecko]

Heck, if you don't have any tuners in the system, you probably won't even have to disable the services. It shouldn't have a problem by not having tuners in the PC, as long as you don't try and use MCE. I don't think it tries to do anything with the tuners one way or the other, until you launch MCE for the first time (well, except that it tries to tie up the tuners if you do have them installed, so that Sage can't use them, but you shouldn't have that problem).

[gplasky]

What you need to do is install the first CD, install the second CD. It will later ask for SP2 CD. What this is is actually just the first CD. Some people have become confused from the terminology used. Step through the whole thing. Then afterwards disable the MCE services that run.

Gerry

[Kirby]

Thanks. Will give it another go in a few hours. Now a silly question, last night I downloaded the latest released drivers from Nvidia (91.31) and of course it had the option for XP or MCE. Is there really a difference as far as Nvidia is concerned? I did get the right one, but already had 91.31 for XP on my other computer. I wouldnt have thought there would be 2 versions out there, is that common for most vendors (I've never really paid attention to existance of MCE specific drivers)?

[gplasky]

Some reason for the 2 different versions. Some vendors went to the extent of having their drivers certified by ISF RL. (Imaging Science Foundation Research Labs) and will usually include some 10 ft. interface for changing the settings within MCE. Also some other "reasons" for MCE Certified drivers

Notes:
• Display device drivers must support the DirectX Video Acceleration Certified Output Protection Protocol (COPP) for software signaling of CGMS-A and Macrovision status to the adapter. For more details, see Graphics Subsystem Requirements at the Designed for Windows Media Center Edition Logo Program Web site.
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 offers full support for high definition TV. To accommodate all types of high definition displays (computer monitors, LCD, plasma, and DLP), include connectors for Component Video (YPbPr)**, VGA, DVI, and HDMI***.
• While this is common on most high-definition TVs, it’s not an ideal connector for PCs, especially for DVD playback. To play copy protected DVDs, for instance, video resolution will need to be set to 480p.
• Display device drivers must support the DirectX Video Acceleration Certified Output Protection Protocol (COPP) for software signaling of HDCP status to the adapter. For more details, see Graphics Subsystem Requirements at the Designed for Windows XP Media Center Edition Logo Program Web site.

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 supports full live TV and personal video recording support for ATSC Digital TV (480p) and High Definition TV (720p/1080i) local network TV programming delivered through UHF/VHF antenna. In addition, Windows Media Video 9 Series supports high definition (HD) video at resolutions up to 1080p.
Developers can support high definition playback in several ways. For HDTV, test playback within the Media Center environment (testing outside Media Center is ineffective). The ability to play back high definition Windows Media Video 9 series content does not guarantee the ability to play back high definition ATSC. Both formats must be tested.

Gerry

[Kirby]

Those "reasons" tend to make me think I am better off running normal XP drivers. Am I mis-interpretting them? I want to be able to put in a DVD and output 1080i to my HDTV (via component cable).

[Kirby]

Is the third MCE service "MHN"?

[geogecko]

Originally Posted by Kirby

Is the third MCE service "MHN"?

Media Center Extender Service
Media Center Receiver Service
Media Center Scheduler Service

It used to only be 2 some time ago, but with a recent update, became three, from what I understand...

[Kirby]

Ahh, now I have all three, had to do another round of MS updates. Been running sage client all day without having those services off, so it doesnt interfere, but still will shut them down to save resources.

[geogecko]

Sounds good. I think it's only when you have a tuner, but hey, might as well not be running them, as you said, if you aren't using them.