Media Center 2002 Edition installed when 2005 Edition should be

Question

I bought my computer and was told I was getting Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition 2005. All my documents that I printed when I bought the computer and the documents that were sent with the computer say I should have 2005 Edition. I even have the MCE 2005 reinstallation DVD with me. However my system information says I have MCE 2002 installed as my OS. I know I have this version because it wont let me download a program for Media Center because I don't have the 2005 edition. Should I install windows with the reinstallation DVD? Will this cause me to lose any saved information or system settings? Is this even recommended?

joe53 · Answer

dman0990: You almost certainly have 2005 MCE. See this: http://salloway.org.uk/mediacenter/2004/version.htm Which program can you not download?

dman0990 · Answer

I have contacted Dell about this and here was the response. This is for anyone who might also wonder why "My Computer" says they are operating an earlier OS.

"SYMPTOMS: After you install or upgrade to Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 or Windows Media Center Edition 2005, the version number that appears in the properties of My Computer is incorrect. The General tab displays "Version 2002"."

"CAUSE: This problem occurs because the upgrade to Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 or Windows Media Center Edition 2005 does not change the properties in My Computer."

"WORKAROUND: To determine the version of Windows XP Media Center Edition that you are running, follow these steps: 1. Start Media Center. 2. On the Settings menu, click General. 3. Scroll down, and then click About Media Center. The version number of"

Source ~ http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;837707&sd=dell

joe53 · Answer

dman0990: You can download tweakMCE.exe from here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=3400190A-511A-4A3A-9B89-524511A76F58&displaylang=en

dman0990 · Answer

joe53

Thank you for your reply. It was also helpful.

The program I downloaded was part of a Winter Fun pack 2004. It was a MCE power toy. When I tryed to run it. An error message came up saying it can only be run on MCE 2005. It is called tweakMCE.exe

I don't know how to explain this.

Message Edited by dman0990 on 07-11-200611:06 PM

dman0990 · Answer

joe53 That worked. Thanks again for your help. It is much appreciated. Message Edited by dman0990 on 07-12-200612:42 AM

htt2006 · Answer

Hi   I am new to this area and a beginner. If I have made a mistake, please advise me ASAP.   Could you all please help me or guide me what I should do?   Here is details of my notebook inspiron 9300 2ghz with 1gig memory, 17 inch LCD, 60mb hard drive. Operating system supposed to be win xp media center edition 2005, but in system properties, it only showed win xp media center edition 2002 (just like dman0990 raised the question). It has got wireless LAN, Dell Media experience.   My notebook had recently had a blue screen that stopped the computer functioning.  I had winxp media center edition 2005 disk to reinstall the operating system. when reinstalled, I found on the disk only winxp professional and did not have MCE 2005 on it.  However I decided to re-install win xp prof on my notebook using the product key of MCE 2005 which is located underneath of the notebook. After the reinstallation completed, an alert message asked me to active the key.  So I did submit all details via internet.  However I received an error message saying the product key was wrong.  I did report this to Dell and am awaiting for a response.  If you know about this problem could someone please advise me?   I believe  that with Dell notebook and Dell reinstalling operating system disk, you don't need to activate the keys, but am unsure why the alert keeps pop up every time I turn my notebook on.   Could someone please advise me if I am going  to reformat the harddisk and reinstalled the operating system, would I be able to install  the operating system as MCE 2005??   During the reinstallation with win xp pro I saw a lot of files for dll extension missing from the reinstalling disk, so I am unsure if this could cause the problem. But when reinstallation completed, I also installed drivers and then checked details through device manager to make sure 'no yellow question marks'.   Your response on this matter would be greatly appreciated.   regards, htt2006

dman0990 · Answer

htt2006

Hello there

Yes I had that question about the system properties displaying MCE 2002 when I had the MCE 2005 version. Read up further and the replies answer this question. There is an error that shows the wrong version date.

I'm not quite familiar with the problem your having dealing with the Windows reinstallation. However I do know that under my system information "different then system properties" my OS is called Windows Professional. Even though I have MCE installed. This doesn't explain your problem though.

I also have a Inspiron 9300 and I was at the point when I had to reinstall my OS too but I found something better to do. I ran the Dell PC restore:

What is Dell PC Restore?

Dell PC Restore is a copy of all of the original factory software for your computer in a hidden section (partition) on your hard drive.

The process of manually reinstalling your operating system, hardware drivers, and Dell factory installed software may take two or more hours. Using Dell PC Restore, in about 10 minutes, your computer software can be restored to the same condition as it was when you first powered on your computer.

Dell PC Restore by Symantec is available on Dimension and Inspiron systems that have shipped on or after 7/15/2004 in the Americas and 8/31/04 in Europe.
For instructions on how to use this utility refer to Dell Knowledge Base article:

Dell PC Restore will restore your computer software back to how it was when you first received it.

When you received your Dell computer, the operating system, hardware drivers, and Dell software were all pre-installed. Dell PC Restore provides the ability to restore your computer back to that condition if you ever find you need to reinstall your operating system.

Here is the link ~ http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?docid=DC47E7957E35BBC0E030A68F27280D16&c=us&l=en&s=gen#5

Hope this helps

htt2006 · Answer

Thanks dman0990 for the link. However, when using Ctrl + F11 together for restoring when the notebook was reboot, I did not see anything displayed on screen about restoring.

Could you please advise me what I should do as I have got only 28 days to activate the key? I don't know why I have to activate whereas I have got the original cd of the operating system.

Please HELP.

regards,

htt2006

dman0990 · Answer

Make sure your computer has the restore feature. It is installed on computers that have shipped on or after 7/15/2004 in the Americas and 8/31/04 in Europe. If yours was shipped after that date you have it installed and can use it.

Next the website says to press the button first and then press and release them together. See if that helps.

Also, there is a very short amount of time for you to press the keys. Right after the computer turns on there is that DELL screen and then it goes to the Windows XP screen. You have to press the keys when the startup screen has the Dell logo on it.

Try that and see if it works. If not you might want to contact Dell on the matter.

htt2006 · Answer

Thanks dman0990.  I will try one more per your advice. Otherwise I will contact Dell technician.   cheers, htt2006

dman0990 · Answer

Yep hopefully that works.   Let me know if it does.

htt2006 · Answer

Hi dman0990

Sorry it did not work for me. I tried several times but nothing was happened. I had already contacted Dell technician and they are going to come to my home to pick up the notebook and is going to reinstall everything for me from operating system to drivers, etc. Any way thanks for all your suggestion. See you later.

regards,

htt2006

Windows General

Media Center 2002 Edition installed when 2005 Edition should be

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