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April 22nd, 2008 02:00
Installing XP Media Center 2005 on Precision 390
I have some instructions written up for a clean install that indicate that it will be necessary to create Floppy of bios, raid/storage image, lan/ nic and chip-set drivers. These instructions are not based on a system that is already running XP Pro SP2 but are more generic for a vast array of system configurations.
I have a couple of questions.
1. I have Dell WS390 CD that contains the device drivers, Diagnostics and utilities. I believe the bios and hardware settings remain intact when I format the hard drive. Do I need to be concerned about floppies that contain theses files?
2. I am using the Microsoft lan for a home network that has a named work-group. I have seen references to media center taking away joining a domain which I understand to be a lan feature but for larger lan configurations. Since I only have a work-group and have never joined a domain when I set it up I believe my network will still work after installing MCE 2005. However I would like someone to confirm that my little home network will still work with extenders and a couple of other computers in the work-group.
I keep seeing references to the swapping of the MCE 2005 install CDs. The MCE 2005 has 3 CDs. One is a regular looking CD that is labeled Windows XP and 2 other CDs labeled Windows XP Media Center 1 and 2. I believe that the first CD will install XP Pro and when done isn't used again. the 2nd and 3rd will get swapped back in forth when install Media Center. Is this correct?
I have a couple of questions.
1. I have Dell WS390 CD that contains the device drivers, Diagnostics and utilities. I believe the bios and hardware settings remain intact when I format the hard drive. Do I need to be concerned about floppies that contain theses files?
2. I am using the Microsoft lan for a home network that has a named work-group. I have seen references to media center taking away joining a domain which I understand to be a lan feature but for larger lan configurations. Since I only have a work-group and have never joined a domain when I set it up I believe my network will still work after installing MCE 2005. However I would like someone to confirm that my little home network will still work with extenders and a couple of other computers in the work-group.
I keep seeing references to the swapping of the MCE 2005 install CDs. The MCE 2005 has 3 CDs. One is a regular looking CD that is labeled Windows XP and 2 other CDs labeled Windows XP Media Center 1 and 2. I believe that the first CD will install XP Pro and when done isn't used again. the 2nd and 3rd will get swapped back in forth when install Media Center. Is this correct?
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dealmaker46
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April 22nd, 2008 12:00
simpswr
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April 22nd, 2008 12:00
Some BIOS have an Alternate setting for SATA that avoids the need to have the SATA drivers on a floppy disc.. . Go into the BIOS and check the "Sata Operation" setting, change it to "Raid Autodetect/ATA" if it is not already.
simpswr
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April 22nd, 2008 12:00
1. I have Dell WS390 CD that contains the device drivers, Diagnostics and utilities. I believe the bios and hardware settings remain intact when I format the hard drive. Do I need to be concerned about floppies that contain theses files?
BIOS is not effected by a clean install, but the hardware settings/drivers will be lost in the format. Rather than use the Drivers disc that comes with the pc, I prefer to download the newest drivers after a reinstall . . using the old ones seems like putting on dirty underware after taking a bath. You can download the new drivers prior to installing and burn to a cd to use after the install.
Do you have a RAID setup? If you have SATA drives you will need the SATA drivers on a floppy to use at the "Press F6 to load third party drivers" prompt.
2. I am using the Microsoft lan for a home network that has a named work-group. I have seen references to media center taking away joining a domain which I understand to be a lan feature but for larger lan configurations. Since I only have a work-group and have never joined a domain when I set it up I believe my network will still work after installing MCE 2005. However I would like someone to confirm that my little home network will still work with extenders and a couple of other computers in the work-group.
MCE cannot join a domain ( without a few registry hacks ) but will work fine with a home network.
I keep seeing references to the swapping of the MCE 2005 install CDs. The MCE 2005 has 3 CDs. One is a regular looking CD that is labeled Windows XP and 2 other CDs labeled Windows XP Media Center 1 and 2. I believe that the first CD will install XP Pro and when done isn't used again. the 2nd and 3rd will get swapped back in forth when install Media Center. Is this correct?
I usually install MCE from a DVD versus CD so am a little rusty on this. I think I recall that it requests the first cd just prior to completeing the installation, but not sure . . it is not anything to fret over.