DigeratiPrime

you can also start in safe mode by checking /SAFEBOOT in msconfig on the BOOT.INI tab. [EDIT] Just uncheck it when your finished working in Safe Mode, otherwise it will keep booting into it. How to Start Windows in Safe Mode http://www.pchell.com/support/safemode.shtml

How to make the 2 cds into a dvd or cd has been discussed before. The best thing to do is SEARCH for answers before posting it all over again. All you need to do is just add the cmpnents folder to the other cd. And that can be done in a number of ways depending on preference, just search if you need help with that. I don't have any experience with AIO cd/dvd yet, but I would imagine that it wouldnt be any different from adding XP Pro.

are you using the original 2 cds from the OEM pack? during setup it will prompt you for the second cd which contains the MCE files. Or did you make your own cd? more details!

personally I use an Avermedia m150, its quality is indistinguishible from the Hauppauge ones I hear (same connexant chipsets) and its one of the few cards that work with XP Media Center, if you're into that. Newegg has it for $58 + $3ship http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc....-100-007&depa=0 and they have the new MCE remote (expensive) for $38 + $1ship http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-100-851&depa=0 I have this setup and like it alot. [EDIT] never had any issues or errors with this. They have the drivers on their site under OEM, but Microsoft also supports it in Windowsupdate.com. the remote also is just plug and play no setup or install is required, just dont remove the ir drivers in nLite.

? are you trying to upgrade XP Home to XP MCE? That wont work. Can you check System Properties (right-click on My Computer choose Properties) and tell us what it says. On the General tab Does it say Media Center Edition? Do you have this folder: C:\WINDOWS\ehome ? MCE also creates shortcuts in the start menu: Accessories\Media Center

yup I use partition magic on my SATA drives all the time. All the features work.

oh i just luv the fabulous AOL internet, I install it everywhere I go because it lets me surf the web and makes my cpu run faster. It makes my downloadzs on Kazaa go way faster, it increases my bids on ebay, the email addresses dont need the "@" sign whatever that is for, and it lets me chat with friends and family. I can even send chain mail to my freinds of uncompressed TIFF files. Thanks to constant popups and special offers in my email I am always informed in the latest goods I can buy, Im often tempted to click on some of those, though AOL's looking out for me and blocks some of these ads in the greatest AOL yet! It automatically installs these great toolbars that come with something called search - maybe thats what the people on the forums are always screaming about. Plus those cds they send me every day can be saved up and make great stocking stuffers! All these wonderful features and its soo cheap! [slaps head ]

"when I least expect it"

I assume its Media Center Edition 2005, its built on XP Pro and has all its features except... This was done so businesses would still buy the Pro version, however its only setback seems to not be so. I might be wrong, but you can join a domain during the OS install, or with a script. It will just be greyed out if you try to do it in windows. Home users in most all cases wont miss this feature anyways. I am actually using MCE 2005, after I 'nLited' it of course, and if I open System Properties and click on the Computer Name tab, the option for Network ID Wizard is greyed out, but I think this can be done manually anyway with a script if needed. Otherwise its the most up to date build (of XP Pro) you can buy, in terms of updates, WMP10, and some new icons/themes/screensavers . It also has the Media Center program obviously so you can hook up a tv tuner and watch tv etc. Good site to learn more about MCE is http://www.thegreenbutton.com

what about jcarle's Utilities? http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=25442&st=0

I work for a small company with 300+ machines and still consider myself somewhat of a 'ameture' in this field. But I seriously think the most important thing in corporate user experience is a good lcd monitor usually a 17" one. Up to date keyboards and optical mice help alot too. If you're talking strictly software then I would reccomend not radicalizing the user experience, thats subject to rejection. to improve the user experience in windows I reccomend making it simple to organize whatever they are working on as in files. Help users from cluttering their desktop. Preload all machines with whatever software they may need (cd burner, image editor, office, email client, antivirus, adaware, spywareblaster, web filtering software, etc) lock down the user rights, so they cant install stuff / delete stuff, make system changes. Try switching to Firefox, but have it preconfigured for users, maybe the homepage and some bookmarks, all the plugins they need (so they dont try to do that themselves). I know we're considering deepfreeze/freezex to keep some systems from falling apart, and making it easy to backup/restore machines. Depending on the hardware distribution maybe using some other form of imaging solution (ghost/trueimage). Or go with a universal Unattended installation via cd or network. Use remote desktop to fix the stupid problems without leaving the office, is cool for both sides. enable by default, and change default admin account username/password to remotely login and enhance security. Clean up the network folders if there are any, so users can periodically backup their files in one centrally organized location. If I think of something else, I'll edit this post with additions. I hope you get some other feedback, maybe from others who've been in a similiar situation.

they werent my words, but i was asking myself the same question. I think you can transfer the activation license, or build an unattended from their cd.

that doesnt really say anything. might need to check eventvwr (start>run>eventvwr). I don't reccomend VirtualPC, get VMware if you can its faster and more stable. And it isn't made by Microsoft, so that pretty much explains it. http://www.vmware.com/products/desktop/ws_features.html http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2845

Copy Source? http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=9453&st=0 ...

Current bid: US $99,999,999.00 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=5535890757

ThemeXP has gone evil. I hope you NOT also using StyleXP??? ThemeXP.org They've been repacking their downloads with spyware and other junk. If your lucky you can click on the download link a couple times usually you get a exe file thats an installer for stuff you dont want, but you might get a zip file which you can extract the theme or visual style you want without installing any spyware. Some people also use vmware or other software to install the junk on a virtual pc and then just copy back the theme without the garbage. http://www.deviantart.com/ This is a better site than ThemeXP, which you should only use if you have to. In case you're using StyleXP, ditch it. All you need is a patched uxtheme.dll file and you can use any theme or visual style in Windows without the need for some clunky software. Just copy the theme files to C:\WINDOWS\Resources\Themes. Done. I use nLite to create an XP cd with the uxtheme.dll already patched on every install. peace.

The best imo are ZoneAlarm SecuritySuite 5.5.062 and BitDefender Pro Plus 8.0. ZoneAlarm SecuritySuite wins all if you want web filtering which it handles through cerberian. However Web Filtering cannot be managed on an user account basis which is important for home use with multiple users on a single machine, and it tends to forget firewall rules sometimes after a reset. And the installer should be alot simpler, though i like the tutorial feature. BitDefender is an awesome program. Its detection and speed is extremely impressive, the GUI is imo the best ive seen in this type of software, it uses an MSI installer, and its a small footprint on the system. Its missing web filtering though, and Ive seen it suck up memory sometimes with real time scanning. Dont waste your time with Norton. A Hardware Firewall, or Router can really make a difference by itself! oh, and firefox.

Long Island NY, USA

powerdvd6 trumps windvd6 IMO in everyway except the controls are a little more difficult to click on with the mouse. Probably can be fixed with a better skin. WinDVD installs other software on your computer (Creative/Interactual) which I doubt is needed, is bulkier&slower by itself, and looks 'older'.

I must have been doing something wrong earlier , the AutoMount does work properly. Thanks.

Wow that is super awesome! Looks just like Link to the Past. This is just the excuse I need to justify beating the game again. Great Work! Gotta show this to some people I know.

5.1 Speakers: Altec Lansing 5100

I voted Mistake Edition, but what about Microsoft Bob?!

do I need to repack it as a 7z file or will a rar/zip file work as well? I only ask because Im getting strange errors installing 7zip. [EDIT] was able to install 7zip after manually extracting setup files from self extracting archive. [EDIT2] confirmed: Removing the R folder alowed setup to complete without any errors.

but I used method 2, and don't see any new entries in Winnt.sif? also here is the exact error message: Technical information: *** STOP: 0x00000005, 0xF7C1C460, 0xF898BAAC, 0xF898B7A8 *** portcls.sys - Address F7C1C46D base at F7C1C000, Datestamp 41107F13