Windows XP Media Center Edition

[JParker0105]

Hello everyone, i have a general question. i recently bought a PC that has windows xp media center edition installed on it. i was wondering if it is possible to use just XP home on said computer. i dont think i would like Media center edition and when the time comes i want to take atvantage of my free vista upgrade. but in the mean while will i be able to run just windows xp home? thank you for the help.



-Justin

[Serren]

If you dont use the media center features, then it pretty much is XP home. As long as you never click on "Media Center" just pretend you are using Home.

[Peench]

Yup - what Serren says is correct, but I am fairly sure that media center is added on top of XP Professional. The media center portion is simply an added front end that you can choose to use or not use.

[JParker0105]

ok. let me, the slow kid, understand. so this is just a "themed program" w/in xp professional and, if i dont want to use it, i dont have to? i want the good old fashion start bar at the bottem and my desktop pictures, you guys know what im talking about. its just i bought this sick computer and i want to be able to use it w/ an operation system i am familiar with.

thanks much.

[Jon Liu]

Yeah, there should be very little differences between XP Home and XP Media Center Edition. The biggest difference is just the software they include. The Media Center Edition just has a theme and software. After using Media Center, you might enjoy it, though! I think you ought to give a spin, regardless since it's already installed!

[JParker0105]

ok jon, i might just give that a try, do you know if i do use the media center and i dont like it if i can just switch back to the home/pro editions, without losing anything? thanks.

i appreciate the help guys, thanks. ill link to the computer i bought so you guys can bask in my glory.

Click Me.

[Jon Liu]

JParker, Media Center is just a program, essentially. Not sure if you can uninstall that portion specifically but, it's basically nothing more than just a program you would have to run. So, if you don't like it you can simply ignore it!

[Jon Liu]

btw, nice new setup!!! I used to LOVE the Athlon 64 processors! I haven't owned one in a while but, for gaming they always had the one-up on intel's processors!

[D_Litch]

Intel took back the lead in gaming processors with the Core 2 Duo and quad-core CPUs. I still prefer AMD for my "regular" computing.

[Serren]

When you boot your computer, it will look EXACLTY like you like it. The only way you will ever see the Media Center software is if you click the desktop link, the start bar link, or by right-clicking a song and selecting Open With... and choosing Media Center. Otherwise, you will never see it.

It is cool software though. I have a Media Center Dell in my kitchen and we use it all the time. If your PC comes with a remote it makes it even more fun. You can control videos, music and pictures from across the room. We mostly use ours when listing to music though.

[JParker0105]

Ok, will do, thanks to everyone for the help. i really appreciate it, i will give it a try and see how i like it and i will report back with my findings. only a few more days till the PC is in my hands! hehe

[Peench]

Yep and like a program, if you don't want to see that interface anymore you can simply close the program (media center) and be back to your normal desktop.

[JParker0105]

ok, that is awesome. so if i were to look at the specs of say a video game, i would just clasify my OS as a windows xp home/pro. so for example, the sims 2 will run on a pc with, 2.0 Ghz processer with win xp, with 256 Megs ram, and 1.5 gb of HD space. i am set with that. right? lol.

here are the exact requirements.

Minimum System Requirements for The Sims 2

If you have a T&L capable video card with at least 32 MB of video RAM then you need at least:
800 MHz processor or better
256 MB RAM if Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98 or Windows 2000
At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space

If you have a non-T&L capable video card (an Intel Extreme Graphics or a Radeon 7000/VE Series) then you need at least:
2.0 GHz processor or better
256 MB RAM if Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98, or Windows 2000
At least 3.5 GB of hard drive space

Another question. i have an Integrated ATI Radeon Xpress 200 Graphics card.
w/ 256MB shared video memory, will this work for the sims, you think?

[KEEZY]

It should be fine for the Sims. The "shared memory" has me kind of worried, as your computer will steal RAM from your ATI card if it needs it, but this would only apply to demanding games/applications.

[Peench]

Yeah, shared video RAM is usually difficult for gaming. You can always bump up the RAM to compensate for most of it tho.

[CamDawg]

Or drop $70 at Newegg for a vid card that was top of the line a gen or two ago (12 - 18 months) and is more than adequate for playing most games. I picked up a Radeon x800 for $65 in October -- it works fantastic on current gen games that are pretty demanding like Titan Quest.

[Jon Liu]

I have an X850XT (the next step up from the X800) and I will tell you it works flawlessly still for all the games that are out. You will be fine if you take CamDawg's suggestion!