At the moment, I am considering reformatting and reinstalling Windows completely. What are the draw backs of this? I regularly back up all of my data, so I am not too worried about losing critical information, and I will be able to download all the programs I use without a problem.
Do you mean "download" or install? You should have no problem reinstalling your programs. If you don't have CDs for all the inistalled applications it is unlikely that you will be able to downlod them. But I am wondering also about all of the software that came installed on the computer (including my Dell support program). Would I lose all of this? If so, is there any way to get it back?
See my statement above. Dell Support is available through here Also, I have heard, but am unsure of the accuracy of, that each Windows CD can only be used for one reinstall. Is this true?
It is not true. Your reinstallation CD has no limit on the number of times it can be used to reisntall Windows.
Message Edited by Denny Denham on 01-17-2006 02:37 PM
Ok. Thank you. That helps. Is reformatting a big hassle or is it relatively simple/easy/carefree?
Also, I had a question about Media Center in general. I haven't looked this up but I'm sure it's on some FAQ page on Microsoft or Dell's website but at the moment I don't have too much time to look. I can't figure out how to hook up a device (ie dvd player, camera, etc) to the S-Video inputs. How do I configure the system to recognize those types of devices when they are plugged in?
Do you have a TV-tuner? Some confuse the TV-out s-video port on the video card as an s-video in.
Why hook up a DVD player to an s-video in? That takes a digital signal and makes it analog... just put the DVD in your computer. A camera now is a reasonable thing to want to plug in ... if it is an analog camera. A digital camera should be hooked up via a firewire cable. However, a TV tuner can be used to capture video from a 8mm, Hi8, or VHS camera ... but requires capture software such as Windows Movie Maker. The usual thing to hook up to the s-video ports on a TV tuner is a cable or satellite box - in which case you'd likely use the Media Center application set-up wizard to configure it.
yeah i have a tv tuner with both s-video out and in. and the reason i wanted to hook up a dvd player to my s-video in is to record some clips of old movies. since the movies are protected i can't do it just in the computer. at least i don't know how.
Denny Denham
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18.8K Posts
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January 17th, 2006 20:00
At the moment, I am considering reformatting and reinstalling Windows completely. What are the draw backs of this? I regularly back up all of my data, so I am not too worried about losing critical information, and I will be able to download all the programs I use without a problem. Do you mean "download" or install? You should have no problem reinstalling your programs. If you don't have CDs for all the inistalled applications it is unlikely that you will be able to downlod them. But I am wondering also about all of the software that came installed on the computer (including my Dell support program). Would I lose all of this? If so, is there any way to get it back? See my statement above. Dell Support is available through here Also, I have heard, but am unsure of the accuracy of, that each Windows CD can only be used for one reinstall. Is this true? It is not true. Your reinstallation CD has no limit on the number of times it can be used to reisntall Windows.
Message Edited by Denny Denham on 01-17-2006 02:37 PM
jcozper
3 Posts
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January 17th, 2006 20:00
Also, I had a question about Media Center in general. I haven't looked this up but I'm sure it's on some FAQ page on Microsoft or Dell's website but at the moment I don't have too much time to look. I can't figure out how to hook up a device (ie dvd player, camera, etc) to the S-Video inputs. How do I configure the system to recognize those types of devices when they are plugged in?
CTskydiver
932 Posts
0
January 18th, 2006 05:00
Why hook up a DVD player to an s-video in? That takes a digital signal and makes it analog... just put the DVD in your computer. A camera now is a reasonable thing to want to plug in ... if it is an analog camera. A digital camera should be hooked up via a firewire cable. However, a TV tuner can be used to capture video from a 8mm, Hi8, or VHS camera ... but requires capture software such as Windows Movie Maker. The usual thing to hook up to the s-video ports on a TV tuner is a cable or satellite box - in which case you'd likely use the Media Center application set-up wizard to configure it.
jcozper
3 Posts
0
January 18th, 2006 17:00