MCE 2005 -> Pro SP2

[foodfightr]

Client bought a new PC with MCE 2005 installed.

I need to upgrade to PRO using an update disk. (SP2)

It hasn't been working. Ideas?

 

[rbV5]

Its based on Pro rather than home. Which feature of Pro do you need thats lacking from MCE 2005 btw.

 

[foodfightr]

MCE 2004 = Pro
MCE 2005 = Home

Client *NEEDS* pro, I took the same "what feature did you need pro for?" approach, but they INSIST on pro.

 

[rbV5]

Originally posted by: foodfightr
MCE 2004 = Pro
MCE 2005 = Home

Client *NEEDS* pro, I took the same "what feature did you need pro for?" approach, but they INSIST on pro.

Your list is incorrect, MCE 2005 is definately based on XP Pro (disc 1 of the MCE 2005 set is XP Pro in fact) and it is already at SP2 out of the box. It does not support every XP Pro feature however, so maybe you'll need to ask which specific Pro feature they actually need from Pro nearly all of it is right there in MCE 2005.

 

[stash]

MCE 2004 = Pro
MCE 2005 = Home

No. MCE 2004 = Home. MCE 2005= MCE 2005. It is a completely separate SKU of XP.

There is no 'upgrade' path from MCE 2005 to Pro (or Home) that I'm aware of besides a wipe and reload.

 

[RebateMonger]

As mentioned, there's no Microsoft-supported "upgrade" of MCE 2005 to XP Professional.

I've read (but haven't tried it) that you can simply quit the MCE 2005 install at the first disk, use your MCE 2005 Key, and have a full XP SP2 install without the MCE "features". If that's the case, you COULD try doing a "Repair Install" of MCE 2005. But stop after the first CD.

There is, of course, a good chance of this going badly awry, so, as always, be sure to back up any important data files attempting an upgrade.

 

[rbV5]

Client *NEEDS* pro, I took the same "what feature did you need pro for?" approach, but they INSIST on pro.

If they don't know "why" they need pro...they probably don't.

 

[stash]

I've read (but haven't tried it) that you can simply quit the MCE 2005 install at the first disk, use your MCE 2005 Key, and have a full XP SP2 install without the MCE "features". If that's the case, you COULD try doing a "Repair Install" of MCE 2005. But stop after the first CD.

The PID determines the version of the OS. If you enter a MCE PID, you get MCE. You enter a Tablet PID, you get Tablet. Doesn't matter how many CDs you use.

 

[CQuinn]

Additionally, it would not "repair" anything, since it would detect the previous MCE installation, and determine that it does not need
to update components that are already up to date or better than what it would try to fix.

I have heard that you can implement some of the disabled features of XP Pro during the first stage of the install, and they will
remain intact when the MCE installation is run. But I have not tried that myself.

 

[stash]

I have heard that you can implement some of the disabled features of XP Pro during the first stage of the install, and they will
remain intact when the MCE installation is run. But I have not tried that myself.

That is only true for joining a domain. You can join a MCE box to a domain during the initial install, but it will break extender functionality.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: STaSh

The PID determines the version of the OS. If you enter a MCE PID, you get MCE. You enter a Tablet PID, you get Tablet. Doesn't matter how many CDs you use.

So, if you stop the install after the first CD is finished, and enter the Key for MCE 2005, what do you have? Since, according to Microsoft sources, the first CD is XP Professional, it would SEEM like you'd have XP Professional with an MCE PID.

I guess I'll have to try this in Virtual PC. It's been WAY too long since I last did an MCE 2005 install, so I don't remember any details at all.

 

[stash]

So, if you stop the install after the first CD is finished, and enter the Key for MCE 2005

You have to enter the PID before anything really gets installed. Setup does hardware detection and few other things, but the bulk file copy is after you enter the key. When you enter the key, it will install things from CD1, then ask for CD2, and then go back to CD1 for the rest of the install. I honestly don't know what would happen if you hit cancel when it prompts for CD2.

But what would be the point? The user would be in a completely unsupported state. Best option would be to contact the vendor of the computer and explain that the incorrect OS was purchased and see if they can help.

Since, according to Microsoft sources, the first CD is XP Professional

Yes, the first CD is XP Pro.

it would SEEM like you'd have XP Professional with an MCE PID.

There is no such thing as XP Pro with an MCE PID. When you enter an MCE PID during setup, you get MCE, which is a completely separate SKU of XP, as is Tablet Edition. It may not have all of the components for MCE installed if you are able to skip CD2, but it will still be MCE. I'm willing to bet that things like domain join (after install) and credman will still be missing.

 

[Goosemaster]

Keep in mind that mce 2005 allows remote desktop logins so if that is the issue, tell them to stay with it. Do they need to login to a domain or something?

 

[John]

Windows XP Home Accessing data on a Domain Server

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/wxphdoms.html

http://vowe.net/archives/001639.html

 

[RebateMonger]

OK. I installed MCE 2003 OEM into a Virtual PC 2004 window.
When the MCE install routine asked for "Windows XP Professional CD#2, I hit "Cancel".
The install of MCE (XP Pro) continued with no error messages. It accepted the OEM MCE 2003 Key that I had.

The "System Control Panel" reports that I have: "Microsoft Windows XP, Media Center Edition, Version 2002, Service Pack 2" installed.

After the install (never using CD #2), I tried to join it to an SBS 2003 Domain using the "ConnectComputer" Wizard furnished by SBS 2003.

When running the Connectcomputer wizard in IE, the Domain Join Failed:
"An error occured when configuring networking settings. See your network administrator."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
FinishNetworkingSetup() -- calling NetJoinDomain( NULL, RTAIT.LOCAL, ou=sbscomputer, ou=.........)
FinishNetworkingSetup() -- NetJoinDomain() failed [50], returning
FinishNetworkingSetup() failed -- hr == [-2147467259]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, this "easy" solution doesn't work. The standard answer for those wanting to convert XP MCE 2005 into XP Professional may be the best:
Reformat the hard drive, buy XP Professional, and install that.

Of course, there are still those hacks that people have done to allow MCE to join a domain. I haven't tried those yet. Also, I didn't allow the MCE install to join the domain during setup. Supposedly, this works. But the probem is that, if you ever have to leave the domain, you can't rejoin.