Windows XP Media Center problems

This post is actually a continuation of a previous post. As I can no longer post to that thread, I am starting a new one.

It was suggested, in the previous thread, that I try running System File Checker to see if I could get the problem straightened out without having to reinstall the Media Center OS. The following is where I am today.

I have had my drives physically swapped so that now System File checker checks the XP Media Center Edition 2005 DVD (supplied with my DELL) for the files. The only problem now is that the Operating system DVD DELL supplied does not appear to be the correct one.

I had contacted DELL support by email to find out how to get the files I need for SFC.

I have discovered the following in the process.

MyComputer tells me that the operating system I have is Windows Media Center Edition version 2002 service Pack 2, when in fact my invoice from Dell says that I am supposed to have Windows Media Center version 2005 SP2.

When I run SFC, SFC is telling me that I do not have the correct CD in my drive.

It says that

The problem is that, that is not the DVD I have.

DELL has told me that I need to contact them by phone to solve this problem.
Which I plan to do early next week.

This was after initially telling me, that I must have installed XP Professional so that I should contact them to pay for an XP Pro CD.

To be continued - after I speak to DELL. In the meantime, if you have Windows XP media Center edition with a DELL PC you may want to check what you actually do have.
1) Check MY computer to see what version you actually have.
2) Run system file checker to see if it works for you.

Happy Snow Shoveling for most of you.

Jorjab

 

home or pro

my hp media center tv pc in computer properties tells me i have xp home media center edition - then in accessories - system tools - system info. sez xp pro?

 

The original thread that jorjab is referring to is here:

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=58433

Regards - Charles

 

Dytrog,
Interesting - had never checked Sys info before - mine also says XP Pro.

Charles, sorry I forgot to put in the link to previous thread, thanks.

 

Same here. I have MCE on a Laptop dual booting w/Vista. Vista incorporates MCE's media functions.

MCE is a strange animal somewhere in between Home and Pro and with the added media stuff.

See this thread: http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=58633&highlight=media+center

Regards - Charles

 

media center

I spoke to HP last nite. I wanted to know why my pc sez 2002 sp2. It sez windows xp mce 2005 on the sticker. I was told there was no 2005 just all the updates up to then. and it was considered a pro by by the builder. and could download anything pro that was update for pro ? my media center was acting up earlier so i set it to optimize in 2 min. it seemed to fix it. part of the words were not showing. mce also makes it easy to watch recorded programs on my tv.

 

Dytrog,

It would be interesting to see if you can run system File checker on your HP.

If you can do it and I cannot on my Dell than the problem coull be with how Dell installs things.

 

Dell has definitely lost any future business of mine. I just spoke to them on the phone about this problem. Was hung up on by the system twice, finally got to speak to a Hardware tech after 8 minute wait. That is when I found out I do not have any software support at all except for reinstallation of the OS. My warranty only covers hardware and reinstall of OS they originally installed. Obviously next time I buy a PC that warranty option will change. In my opinion if the Manufacturer installs the OS then they should be responsible for the software as it is considered OEM and Microsoft does not support OEM Software installations.

Prior to this I had Gateways and great software support.

Was transferred to Software support after 26 minutes at which point they told me that they could definitely fix my problem but it would cost either $100 for coverage for 1 problem for 72 hours or $200 for coverage for 4 problems for 1 year. Total time on the phone was 30 minutes

I have been reading how Dell is supposedly improving its support - not in my opinion.

I may also have a hard drive problem (making noises ) and they have indicated they will probably send me a new drive. That would mean I have to reinstall everything anyway will most likely go that route. That should also fix my original media Center TV problem. In addition many folks say you should reinstall everything every 1 or 2 years to clear the system out.

In any case, SFC might still not work and they would not fix that problem.

If I do have to have help may use Geek squad - at least I don't have the phone system wait and they usually do whatever while you wait for it. They also tell you at Geek squad that they see more Dells for repair than any other PC Manufacturer and that HP appears to have the least amount of problems.

Still would like to know why this is happening.
As you can tell I am not a happy camper at the current time.

 

file checker

i'm not sure what you mean. how do you do it? is it another name?

 

Go to Start then Run type in box the following space after sfc important.

sfc /scannow

It will run on your system for a while telling you to "wait while windows verifies that all protected files are intact and in their original versions" then it will ask you to insert your WIN XP CD NOw - thatmessage is what says XP Pro on mine. When I then insert my dvd it does not recognize it as the DVD it wants.

What I am not sure of is what would happen when you run it if you are not having any problems - hopefully nothing - so not sure if you should run it or not. Charlesvar may be able to address that issue.

The below url has a brief explanation of what it does.
http://www.networkclue.com/os/Windows/commands/sfc.aspx

 

If sfc replaces any files, it'll show in the Event Viewer > System.

Otherwise, no consequences.

Regards - Charles

 

it say's in the above should be used as a last resort for xp users ?

 

Hi Dytrog,

Don't agree with that, the last resort is a re install.

Regards - Charles

 

Does that mean it's a back to factory. if it remembers, or has still got it ?

 

No, not back to factory:

http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/howto-24.html

Regards - Charles

 

Well I have finally got my tv and Windows media center running which is what started this entire post (with several digressions).

I definitely will not perform any media center updates as it is one of them that began my problem. It seems to work fine for what I need so it will stay that way.

You may also want to see my post re backing up and restoring with a new install at
www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?p=335595#post335595

I have not tried to run SFC and am not sure if I will or not - still trying to get all of my own personal programs installed.

While I was installing the Installation process kept referring to installing XP Pro which scared me a little, but by the time I was done it was XP media center that was installed.

Dell tech support helped me follow the installation process. The person was very nice and very helpful but was reading from Dell scripts on what to do and in some cases did not have the correct information for what I needed. I had to tell support some of what I needed which if I had been an inexperienced user would not have been able to do.

I can fully understand why the Geek squad and other such services have become so popular . The average person with PC problems might have a terrible time trying to do reinstalls or fix problems etc. Most are not aware of BBS like this one . I know that I help many of my friends and neighbors with their PCs because they have no clue. It is not that they are not smart just that they are sold a PC and told here buy this one it will do everything you want it to. My son just bought a new laptop and when asked if he wanted a software service contract said "no thanks I have my Mom ". (He is a lawyer in his thirties and uses PCs for docs processing, email, and simple web searches and that is about it.)

If anybody has any questions about this or if I think of anything to add will post back later. Have to go out now.

Jorjab