I want media center but I'm cheap. MCE2005 costs more then vista which seams a bit backwards to me.

My PC isn't high enough spec. Processor and ram is OK but the integrated graphics are poo though. No DX9

The thing is I just plan on using it as a media server (want MC so things look swish at xbox end) so have no intention of using a monitor other then for initial set up.

What would happen if I went though the upgrade procedure anyway. Would it even let me do it with my GC or would it scan my components and say up yours. Would it work but just automatically turn of all the fancy graphical features. Or would it install and leave me looking at a black screen as my room filled with the aroma of a burned out chip.

If it did work in some capacity would this effect the xbox in anyway. I assume that the extender carrys out all the graphical processes but I don't know and you know what they say about assuming.

Thanks for any help and before some mentions freenas, I want MC like I said.

Edit: Sorry for so many questions at once but one more thing.

If I upgraded form xp home to vista premium. And then went though the down grade procedure (which I have no idea how to do) would I keep the MC program?

Thanks again.

You cannot get cheaper than the open source Media Portal, it will do every thing that MCE2005 will do and more.

You do not say how much ram you have or what cpu, these will make a big difference in quality viewing...

No I didn't. But they meet vista min spec and as I only want it so I can use my 360 as an MC extender, network storage, and Orb client it should be fine. But like I said GC is a joke, would this cause a problem/stop me from installing vista.

I have looked into MP before but like I said reason I am doing this is to steam to 360 with album art etc. Does MP do this?

You need more than 1 gig of ram which is the minimum to run Vista, 2 or more gigs of ram and you will have a good experience.

You will need a decent graphics card with at least 256 megs of ram on it as well.

According to this it will do what you want. MEDIAPORTAL - free media center - Features

But what if your graphics card isn't compatible (126mb I think and no DX9) what will happen if I try to run it on that. That's what I asked. I can't get spec at moment because running xphome restore (don't ask I've been told not to talk about it on here) but I think its P4 over 2.5 but not 3 and 1.5 ram

Remember every single graphical feature can be turned off. This PC will need no monitor everything can be done via remote access.

Will I just burn my house down?

I Looked into MP and though the forums and it appears it dosn't interact in full with the xbox in the same way as MC. Which is the same UI on the TV as on the PC. But the info does seam quite old so unless you know different from experience I don't think its for me.

Thanks for the help.

Hello there Toejam.

We realy need your computer specification hardware or make and model number of this computer so we can help you further.

I can say I have Vista Ultimate 32 bit running on a P4.
The specs are a single core 2.0 ghz.
1 gig RAM.
It runs great and no issues.

Now you are saying your graphics is only a 126 mb.I had a friend ask me to find drivers for a 126 card nearly two weeks ago and I did a search and the drivers could not be found for older cards to run Vista.I think his card was a NVIDIA 7 serise.But closer to the 7 than an 8.

I belive you will not be able to get the graphics card driver for this computer.

I have a 256 graphics card on the P4 with Vista installed and I did manage to get the driver.

Although Vista will run with 512 mb RAM I realy think 1-2 gig is a much better option.

If you can post your hardware specs this would give us a clue if your computer is capable to run Vista.However I have a feeling it may not be capable.

It sounds like your computer will struggle with Vista and I think it will use so many resources you could fry the older computer and even if you did turn off graphic card enhancements you still would not be able to play XBOX higher spec games with a decent picture.

JB.

Hi jelly thanks for the response.

I gave my spec's (or a rough guide) in post #5. Like I said the rest of my components are fine its just the GPU. The pc is a Frankenstein built from 3 broken PC's so make and model won't make much differance but I believe the motherboard came from an old packard bell imedia.

If ran on very low settings would a non compatible GPU work in any capacity.

Anyway I came across this after digging on google today whilst at work.

Classic UI

The most basic user interface offered by Vista, which is also seen in Windows 2000, or Windows XP with its visual style Luna deactivated.

• An option for corporate deployments and upgrades.
• Requires Windows XP Display Driver Model (XPDM) or WVDDM drivers.
• No graphics card hardware requirements exceeding those of Windows XP.

This to me makes it sound possible also here are some images and a different article

So would a non compatible GPU that has no dx9 work if settings were put to classic. It sounds like it will but I can't find anyone with experience and all everyone here keeps asking is about my cpu and RAM which I have said repeatedly are not the problem.

Quote jelly bean:

"It sounds like your computer will struggle with Vista and I think it will use so many resources you could fry the older computer and even if you did turn off graphic card enhancements you still would not be able to play XBOX higher spec games with a decent picture."

EndQuote

this I don't get I play my xbox games on my xbox, they don't run on a pc. Xbox doesn't have higher spec games. Its a console thats the idea.

I want to use the xbox as a media center extender, that is to use it to remotely access M$ mediacenter program.

If I can run on this so called Classic UI would programs still work the same in the background even though they don't look as good.