AMIRZ Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 (edited) Vista / Windows 7 Media Center Style Skin (GUI Resource) For Xp MCE 2005 (Windows Media Center Application)(Plus Xp Pro/Home to Xp Tablet PC 2005 Converter Etc)PS: Important/Very Recommended-> Make Windows XP Stay Up to date after Vista and Windows 7 Coming out...Before/After Reading This Topic, It's Very Very Recommended to Also Visit My Another Thread Below:"List of Most Vista and Windows 7 Applications, Tools, and features for Xp" here: or http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/20480-list-of-most-vista-applications-and-features-for-xp/ -> very recommended to visit especially for all Xp users, especially for the best Xp-Vista-Windows 7 transformation ever... :thumbsup_anim: Anyway long live Windows XP!There you can get most great applications and features (GUI and usability), and even some Vista/Windows 7 applications ported to Xp! etc for free (will always keep updating) to optimally make Windows Xp like Vista and/or Windows 7/both in recommended way, not only GUI but also the function, to enhance and customize Xp so it will serve us longer and longer in better way as well as Vista and Windows 7...(Btw Microsoft will still keep supporting all Windows Xp versions until 2014, bcoz they do know many people and companies will still use Xp on their old and new machines for years even after Windows 7 out, yeah Xp will still exist for years in both legal and illegal ways lol, and it's really a happy fact for many people/Xp users included me). Sorry for my bad English, anyways good luck. ============================================================== Hello Everybody, (Btw i have released this on Deviantart too: http://amirsyahrani.deviantart.com/art/Vis...-2005-111784108 and included in my another thread "List of Most Vista (& Windows 7) Applications and Tools for Xp" too: http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4594 (it's recommended to visit them too)...(Note: Windows 7 MCE GUI looks not much different with Vista version for me, except "the first setting page" when you configured MCE/WMP at first time).Well, if you already have Xp MCE 2005 or the converted Xp Pro/Home etc with Media Center application, and you'd like to make it like Vista/Windows 7 version (yeah, that's way it's called "Windows Customization" ), then you can also use this MCE skin (or theme) that i created for Xp MCE 2005. Unlike other MCE skins, this one change all media center features to be like Vista (Icons, GUI, infotip, splash, overlay background, file association and so on). Although it's not perfect yet, but hey still better than nothing at all for me. I have also patched ehshell.exe, ehui.dll, and ehdrop.dll (full) beside ehres.dll.Features:- Full patched MCE files resources: ehres.dll, ehdrop.dll, ehui.dll, ehshell.exe, RegisterMCEApp.exe (not only ehres.dll)- Full Vista Media Center GUI element/resources (Window, overlay background,icon, layout i.e as you can see the layout of back button and Windows ball which nearly similar with Vista MCE, item names, etc) like Vista.- Vista MCE + Some Associated Media Center File Type icons (dvr-ms, mcl, etc) etc like Vista.- Change Media Center window and taskbar name from only "Media Center" to "Windows Media Center" and its icon similar with Vista.- Change Media Center shortcuts from "Media Center" to "Windows Media Center" with comment/tooltip similar with Vista.- Etc (Guide/Note included)- Some minor GUI layouts will depend on your monitor resolution (best/optimized for 1024x768/1200x800 or better than "standard" 800x600). Updating your driver will give better result.- Screenshot :- Screenshot of My Xp "MultiMedia Center" Desktop Lol Too busy... : )* Some goodies that were included on the desktop:- MS Windows Media Center v4.0 Build 5.1.2715.2883 UR2 (Xp MCE 2005) with this Vista Skin Resource- MS - Aquarium Wallpaper (Default MS Xp MCE 2005 Plus! wallpaper)- MS - Windows Media Player 11 for Xp with - WMP 11 Vista Skin Resource for WMP 11 Xp (Credits to ~pierdelp, Deviantart) : http://pierdelp.deviantart.com/art/WMP11-S...for-XP-52704429- VistaXp VS by Kol (Credits to Kol): http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20424- Transbar (Transparent Taskbar on Xp): http://www.home.no/aksoftware/- Original Microsoft Windows Vista Sidebar for Xp + Gadgets by Ricktendo64 (Credits to MS, Rafael, Zoronax, VAIO/Alky, (for porting it to Xp), Ricktendo64 (for creating Sidebar installer/add on) + MS too): http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=1442- Tablet PC Input Panel for Xp Pro, Home, MCE, 2003 (Installer by me): http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21199- Windows Dancer for Xp, Vista, Windows 7 (Installer by me): http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=22526- Original Vista / 7 style Flip 3d Icon (QuickLaunch) for Topdesk / Winflip etc by me: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19627- Btw there's also a WMP 12 (Windows 7 Media Player) Skin Resource for WMP 11 Xp (Credits to Bogo and fediaFedia): http://fediafedia.deviantart.com/art/Win7-...or-XP-106429599(Full credits to all authors)Important Note: Important Note: This skin is only for Windows Media Center application in Windows Xp Media Center 2005 OS build 5.1.2715.2883 - Post Update Rollup 2 (for MCE Latest Build 5.1.2715.3011, also please read below). Please check the Media Center version by opening Media Center application -> Software version or manually right clicking the ehshell.exe -> file version. It should be version 5.1.2715.2883 (do not replace if different or usually it won't work!).If your MCE version is lower, to update MCE to latest version 5.1.2715.2883, then you must have to install Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 and April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 for Xp Media Center 2005 which you can download them all from Microsoft for free (WGA validation required).- Download Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en- Download April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en- Download Vista Skin for Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.2883):File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005.zipSize: 9,73 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/83004700/39da028f/Vista_Skin_For_Xp_MCE_2005.html======UPDATED: -> Vista Skin For The Latest Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011): (Please check your MCE version first before downloading) -> Thanx to our friend kth7 - WinMatrix for the info (please read his post below). I have updated/added new link of Vista /7 skin for MCE version 5.1.2715.3011 - Update rollup October 2006 (lol i thought it was included in Xp SP3, in fact it wasn't, even update rollup 2 is not too. Strange, seems that Xp SP3 only included MCE 2004 files as i have extracted medctr.cab and only found lower versions than UR2). UR2 (2006) > SP3 (2007)? Lol Note: You can check which is your MCE version number you're running only by opening Media Center inside "Software Version Page" in Media Center 2005: Settings > General > About Media Center > Software Version. It's not same with the Windows OS version (some info i.e. OS / Applications name, major & minor version numbers, Service Packs/RTM if available, etc...) which you can just check it on e.g System Properties or Help menu (Btw just FYI to open "About Windows" dialog box on any Windows OS (98 or higher as far as i know): Run > type "winver" without quotes > Enter).If your MCE version is lower, to update MCE to latest version 5.1.2715.3011, then you must have to install Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 and April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548, and KB925766 for Xp Media Center 2005 which you can download them all from Microsoft for free (WGA validation required).- Download Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en- Download April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en- Download update Rollup October 2006 KB925766 : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925766and some other latest updates.Note: Again They are not included in SP3 for Xp, you have to download and install them all manually.- Download Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011):File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011).zipSize: 9,73 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/88509509/e32273d1/Vista_Skin_For_Xp_MCE_2005__Build_5127153011_.htmlUpdated:- Vista-style CD/Flash Drive Autoplay Handler (Icon & Strings) for Xp MCE 2005 (Icon and string)I have already included it (it's only a .reg file) on both Skin and Installer above/below, but if you had already previously download it, then just apply this registry entries:Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\CancelAutoplay\CLSID]"52D96F1B-33C6-40b6-9421-6652744B81A1"="""621B5925-3992-4654-B2A3-00FF2D4015FC"=""[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlers\PlayCDAudioOnArrival]"EHomeMusicDropTarget"=""[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlers\PlayDVDMovieOnArrival]"EHomeVideoDropTarget"=""[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlers\PlayVideoFilesOnArrival]"EHomeVideosHandler"=""[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\EventHandlers\ShowPicturesOnArrival]"EHomePhotosHandler"=""[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\Handlers\EHomeMusicDropTarget]@="""Action"="Play Audio CD""DefaultIcon"="%WinDir%\\ehome\\ehdrop.dll,-201""FriendlyName"="eHome UserXP""InvokeProgId"="EHomeDropTarget.EHomeMusicDropTarget""InvokeVerb"="play""Provider"="Windows Media Center"[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\Handlers\EHomePhotosHandler]@="""Action"="View pictures""DefaultIcon"="%WinDir%\\ehome\\ehdrop.dll,-201""FriendlyName"="eHome UserXP""InvokeProgId"="EHomeDropTarget.EHomePhotosHandler""InvokeVerb"="play""Provider"="Windows Media Center"[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\Handlers\EHomeVideoDropTarget]@="""Action"="Play DVD Video""DefaultIcon"="%WinDir%\\ehome\\ehdrop.dll,-205""FriendlyName"="eHome UserXP""InvokeProgId"="EHomeDropTarget.EHomeVideoDropTarget""InvokeVerb"="play""Provider"="Windows Media Center"[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\AutoplayHandlers\Handlers\EHomeVideosHandler]@="""Action"="View videos""DefaultIcon"="%WinDir%\\ehome\\ehdrop.dll,-201""FriendlyName"="eHome UserXP""InvokeProgId"="EHomeDropTarget.EHomeVideosHandler""InvokeVerb"="play""Provider"="Windows Media Center"Copy and paste it on Notepad then save it as .reg extension (e.g MCE.reg). Apply/double click it to merge into registry. For any version of MCE 2005 with or without this skin (again, i have already included it on both Vista Skin and Windows Media Center installer above/below). You can also edit the tip string yourself if you want.=========================================To Convert Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC OSes to Xp MCE 2005:Using these:- MCE 2005 Add On for Xp -> Full Credits to Ricktendo64 (Wincert) :http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4652- MCE 2005 Installer (MCE Converter) for Xp -> Full Credits to Orbit30 (Wincert) :Convert Xp To Xp MCE 2005 OS without reinstalling Windows.(You still need Bart PE disk/load hive function from another OS to change MCE registry installed = 1 later + some next processes)http://skitechnology.pointclark.net/downlo...E_Installer.rar.I will also upload my own MCE installer later here to Wincert FTP Server (have limited bandwidth now, sorry)Edit: Already Done! (read below):======================================================Windows Media Center Installer for Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, 2003, All Editions (Lite, Installer, Uninstallable):(I know people can convert Xp Pro/Home to Xp MCE 2005 in another way (or some Xp MCE 2005 torrents, maybe? Lol), but i'm here to make the process faster, easier, better, and shorter, not complicated especially for most end users). If you only have Xp Pro, Home, Tablet or Server 2003 without Media Center 2005, but you want to have Windows Media Center application like the ones in Xp MCE 2005, Vista, and Windows 7, then you can install it by using Windows Media Center installer that i created. Only in 2 minutes, you'll get a working Windows Media Center application with full Vista GUI in your Xp Pro/Home/2003 plus some MCE powertoys, and it's uninstallable without messing up your system. Without any long and complicated steps and process at all. Again, unlike other usual ways, this installer will act like 3rd parties, that means it's uninstallable and it won't hack any system file. It's also faster as you don't have to get "long time and complicated process" such as finding and extracting medctr.cab reformatting Windows OS, hacking registry, or booting with Bart PE CD etc etc. (That's why i created this installer: to make the whole process instant easier and fast for most end users, without affecting the Xp/OS itself) without converting it to Xp MCE 2005 OS as you can see the system properties won't change (the Vista skin would be installed by default). Features:- Full Vista GUI (even also some icons, tooltip, taskbar icon and windows name etc - Already included the above skin- Instant/fast. Easy-Uninstallable (clean) without hacking any system file/changing/converting the OS.- Smaller size - Installs only Windows Media Center application, no any complicated process anymore.- Etc + Included All above Vista MCE Skin features.Prerequisites (For Windows Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC with SP2 or SP3 and Windows Server 2003):(user with administration rights who can install Windows Media Center).1. Windows Media Player (WMP) version 10 or 11 -> Required.2. .Net Framework 1.1 with SP1 (or maybe higher) -> Required. (Note: MCE add ons (Alarm Clock and Playlist Editor) need .Net Framework 2.0 (or higher) to work. It's recommended to install it too).Note: Btw I have eliminate dependencies on .Net Framework 1.0 by changing/tweaking the runtime code, so you can only install .net Framework 1.1 (or maybe higher) -> so far so good. If there are still some errors, just use .net clean up tool (included) and/or you can install both .Net Framework 1.0 SP3 and .Net Framework 1.1 SP1 (like original Xp MCE)3. Optional: Supported DVD/MPEG-2 Decoder for MCE (With DVD-Rom/Writer) and some 3rd party codecs -> Optional but recommended - Download Windows Media Center Installer for Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, 2003, All Editions (Instant Installer, Uninstallable):File Name: Windows Media Center for Xp Pro, Home, and 2003 Installer.zipSize: 52,62 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/81804447/ba587f35/Windows_Media_Center_for_Xp_Pro_Home_and_2003_Installer.html- Some antivirus and antispyware programs (rare) may flag the softwares as being infected/malware, although the application is perfectly safe and does not pose a threat to your system. This is called a "false positive". The term false positive is used when antivirus software wrongly classifies an innocuous ( inoffensive ) file as a virus. The incorrect detection may be due to heuristics or to an incorrect virus signature in a database.=========================================- Convert Xp Pro/Home/Tablet PC 2005 to Xp MCE 2005 without reinstalling the OS: If you really want to convert Xp to real Xp MCE 2005 OS without reinstalling/reformatting the OS (it will be recognized as original MCE 2005 by MS and updated!)Some files already included in the package (mediactr.cab, inf so on). You can download my package below(1.)Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0.3705 and It's SP3.Copy "Copy2Gac.exe" to "C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705" (Optional)Install Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 and its SP1.Install WMP 10 or 11 and Supported MCE DVD Decoder such as ones from NVIDIA, Sonic, or WinDVD.(2.)modify MCE registryOpen regedit.exe, goto HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA,create key named “MediaCenter”. Create DWORD Value named “Installed” in key and valued “1”.“Installed” value in “MediaCenter” of XP (VLK Ver) OS must be String Value but DWORD value. And “Installed” value in “MediaCenter” key in all server 2003 OS must be string values. Because there are no WinXP MCE VLK and Win 2003 MCE versions. You can’t login if these values are DWORD!If there is “Installed” valued “0” in “MediaCenter” in your Windows XP, you can not modify it in current OS.You must use “load HIVE” function in another OS (in another PC/partition) like this: Click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.From the File menu, choose Load Hive,Navigate to the registry location on your OS such as c:\windows\system32\config\system,name it “temp”.after you modified the value to “1”,click temp,choose “unload HIVE” to save it.You can also use Bart PE bootable disc or my fave: ERD Commander 2005 CD (google or download Here )(3.)install Media CenterGet medctroc.inf, plusoc.inf, sonic.inf (all included) .copy them to C:\windows\inf\ ; then Run following commands to install Media CenterOpen Command Prompt (Run -> Type "CMD" without Quotes) or directly double click"MCE.cmd" to run the MCE commands (included).Install Media Center (Need MEDIACTR.CAB):rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection Freestyle 128 medctroc.infInstall Windows Digital Media Enhancement (Need plus.cab):rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusGold 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusSpac 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusDavn 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusNatr 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusMpix 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusDancer 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusParty 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusAudio 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusCDLM 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusTheme 128 plusoc.infInstall Sonic DVD and CD Burning (Need sonic.cab):rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection SonicDVDandCDBurning 128 sonic.infNote: After executing command, it will open new dialog window and ask you to navigate/browse to where you placed mediactr.cab, sonic.cab, and plus.cab. Follow and do it.4) update your MCE 2005 to UR2 (Update Rollup 2). Download it from Microsoft Download Center for free (also with other higher MCE updates if available).NOTE:1.Please open full Video and Audio acceleration in Windows Server 2003Create a folder named "ehome" if it doesnt exist on Server 2003. Copy "CUSTSAT.dll" to it.2.this way also can be applied to Windows XP/2003 x64 Edition, Both “Installed” must be string values3.if you have MCE remote control,MCE remote keyboard U can use Drives for XP in Windows Server 2003.4.Can not install MCE upgrades in Windows Server 2003 because the OS is not WinXP,and there're some other problems by this cause.5.Can not install Update Rollup 2 for MCE2005 when "Installed" is string value.so when you use XP VOL, you can expand "WindowsXPMediaCenter2005-KB900325-XXX.exe",and install upgrades listed in "paths.ini" manual.Thanks to neo.JoeJoe - Download Xp to Xp MCE 2005 OS transformation package (no need to reinstall the OS), guide included:Name : Convert_Xp_to_Xp_MCE_2005.zipSize : 165 Mbhttp://depositfiles.com/en/files/e36w3x9jaMirror: http://www.4shared.com/dir/15813189/6da56300/Convert_Xp_to_Xp_MCE_2005_Pack.htmlAfter you have converted Xp to Xp MCE 2005, then please download and install:- Download Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en- Download April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en- Download Vista Skin for Xp MCE 2005:File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005.zipSize: 9,73 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/83004700/39da028f/Vista_Skin_For_Xp_MCE_2005.htmlUpdated MCE version + skin:- Download update Rollup October 2006 KB925766 : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925766and some other latest updates. Note: Again They are not included in SP3 for Xp, you have to download and install them all manually.- Download Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011):File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011).zipSize: 9,73 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/88509509/e32273d1/Vista_Skin_For_Xp_MCE_2005__Build_5127153011_.htmlNote: The process is not reversible/uninstallable though...==============================================(Since Windows 7 has included all tablet PC features as well as Vista and Xp Tablet PC..)- Convert Xp Pro/Home/MCE 2005 to Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS without reinstalling the OS:If you really want to convert Xp to real Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS without reinstalling/reformatting the OS (it will be recognized as original MCE 2005 by MS and updated!). Useful i.e you have Tablet PC with Vista installed but still want to: dual boot it with Xp but you only have original Xp Pro. Just convert it to Xp Tablet PC for free.1) Install:-Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0-Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0.3705 and It's SP3.-Copy "Copy2Gac.exe" to "C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705"-Install Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 and its SP1.2) Navigate : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA and create a key named TabletPC now add a string value named "Installed" and set as 1Or directly double click "TabletPC.reg" to merge it into registry->Optional though to finally convert the OS to Xp Tablet PC 2005 as you can see the System Properties changed.But finally the system will still be Tablet PC 2005 OS after some MS updates and boots though.Install Tablet PC 2005 U can replace above commands for MCE or add both MCE+TPC with these commandsGet tabletpc.inf (included) .copy to C:\windows\inf\ ; then Run following commands to install Tablet PC components: Open Command Prompt (Run -> Type "CMD" without Quotes) or directly double click"TABLETPC.cmd" to run the Tablet PC commands (included).rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection TPG 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection System 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection OOBE 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection Notebook 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection StickyNotes 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection AllShortcuts 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection SRInstall 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection AllReg 128 tabletpc.infC:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\Copy2Gac.exe /i /a /p:"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink\1.7\"Note: After executing command, it will open new dialog window and ask you to navigate/browse to where you placed TabletPC.cab. Follow and do it.To make Tablet PC Input Panel etc working/updated, just download and reinstall SP2/SP3 on Xp. Done.Thanks to neo.JoeJoe - Download Xp to Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS transformation package (no need to reinstall the OS), guide included:Name : Convert_Xp_to_Xp_Tablet_PC_2005.zipSize : 71 Mbhttp://depositfiles.com/en/files/173n1c4m1Mirror: http://www.4shared.com/file/105884214/df15e439/Convert_Xp_to_Xp_Tablet_PC_2005.htmlAfter that, please download and/or reinstall SP2 or SP3 for Xp (SP3 is recommended since it's the last one) (i.e to fix/update Tablet PC Input Panel version etc) or using Windows Update.Xp SP2: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=enXp SP3: http://www.microsoft.com/DownLoads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&displaylang=enDownload Vista Pack for Xp Tablet PC 2005: http://www.4shared.com/file/100354314/1eb8...plications.html -> Make Tablet PC applications (Windows Journal, Inkball, Sticky Notes etc) look like the ones in Vista / Windows 7 Note: The process is not reversible/uninstallable though...=========================================3) Other MCE Stuffs for Xp, Vista, Windows 7 (Windows All) : For Xp, 2003, Vista, 2008, Windows 7:If you still wanted to get some MCE goodies which were available with Xp MCE 2005 (Windows Plus! MCE, Dancer, Screensavers etc) on Xp, please visit my previous thread for more info (recommended) : http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=22526- Screenshot :Or use these direct links:Download Links:1) Windows Dancer only :Size: only 7,77 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/87536799/d8ef0699/Windows_Dancer_for_Xp_Vista_and_Windows_7.html- Screenshot :Download Scooby Doo Dancer Port (Windows Dancer must be installed first):File Name: Scooby Doo for Windows Dancer MCE 2005.zipMD5: d64acf7889e72c39439c004ca6877dfbSize: Only 2,17 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/87847524/f02cd...r_MCE_2005.html2) Windows Plus! Digital Media Enhancements - Full Package :(contains Windows Dancer, Windows Audio Converter, Windows CD Label Maker, and Windows Party Mode):Size: only 23,5 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/81824918/258856d2/Windows_Plus_MCE_2005_for_Xp_Pro_Home_Tablet_Vista.html3) Additional stuffs from Xp MCE 2005 - All Original Screensavers :(patched/ported to other Windows OSes, yeah actually you couldn't run them on other OSes without patching them too as well as the apps):Aquarium, Davinci, Nature, and Space, Require minimal 128 Mb supported DirectX9 VGA card. Btw Aquarium has been my favorite Windows screensaver (till now)Size: only 9,7 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/83009263/228ee85/Xp_MCE_2005_Screensavers___Aquarium_Da_Vinci_Nature_and_Space__.html- Screenshot of Aquarium Screensaver ported from Xp MCE 2005 to Xp, Vista, 7 (My Fave) :4) Original MCE 2005 Themes (Skin, Cursors, Wallpapers etc) for Xp/2003 All:Size: 24,9 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/83016102/4430fe2a/Xp_MCE_2005_Themes_Skin_Screensavers_Wallpapers_etc.html5) Vista Movie Maker 2.6 for Xp enhanced with Plus! MCE 2005 Movie Maker addon, ability to edit dvr-ms files etc-> You can also install it on Vista (e.g Vista Basic) and Windows 7 too.Size: only 5,17 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/64569368/9b981595/Vista_Movie_Maker_26_for_Xp.html6) Media Center Solitaire Powertoys game ported to Xp Pro and Vista:(thanks to Cephead - WinMatrix)-> Actually you don't need to have MCE for playing it, full screen Windows game with MCE background:Size: 2,24 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/92046211/6459a4d2/Media_Center_Solitaire_Game_Ported_to_Xp_Pro_and_Vista.html- Screenshot of Media Center Solitaire:7) Original Vista Sample MCE Recorded TV (dvr-ms: Apollo 13, Jewels of Caribbean, Vertigo):http://www.4shared.com/dir/15141313/1ad0f3...ple_Media_.html=========================================Added: How to Patch the files and Create a Skin for your Xp MCE 2005 (Simplest Guide):So i'm just sharing my little knowledge and experience here. You can also make your own resource skin especially if i.e your MCE 2005 has different version/language or you want something "different" or maybe even better than mine hereBtw please don't forget to share it on Wincert too, Thanx alotList of Patched Files (MCE executables and resource libraries) :- ehshell.exe (main MCE executable, icon and string)- RegisterMCEApp.exe (MCE app registration)- ehres.dll (MCE GUI resource and string)- ehdrop.dll (MCE drop target module, some file type icon and handler)- ehui.dll (MCE rendering engine, MCE icon on tasknar minimized window)Tools:- Resource Hacker or any binary res editor- MyThemesStudio app and themes 4 advanced MCE ehres.dll editor (optional)- Adobe Photoshop, icon 2 PNG converter or vice versa etc- Powerful text file editor (UltraEdit) or at least Notepad- .Net framework 1.1 or higher installed- Ildasm.exe (MS IL disassembler) from .Net Framework SDK/Visual Studio - Ilasm (MS IL assembler)- sn.exe (.Net Strong Name Validation tool)- MSVCR71.dll (MS C runtime library) for runtime dependency- Replacer or WFP switcher (you can do it in safe mode too)Patching ehres.dll, ehui.dll, ehdrop dll: You can patch/hack (decompile) them as common resource libraries using Reshack to replace some their resources (icon, WAV, bitmap, png, string etc). Take them from Vista/7 ehres.dll or my patched files as your skin templates. Edit (you can edit them i.e PNG by using Photoshop etc) and replace, compile and save them.ehres.dll -> Most MCE GUI window resource icon and string,ehdrop.dll -> file type icon association (you can edit them in registry though)ehui.dll -> MCE icon on taskbar mode (minimized window) and systrayYou can also edit some resource as you want, i.e some PNGs by photoshop. Patching ehshell.exe and RegisterMCEapp.exe: Since they are also .net assemblies, you can't treat them as usual PE win32 executables or libraries in usual way, bcoz their code can be tampered too and won't work anymore. You need ilasm to dissambly them before, edit. and re-assembly.Decompile ehshell.exe (as .net resource) by using ildasm.exe:1) Open ildasm.exe (it should be in one directory with msvcr71.dll). 2) Copy the "ehshell.exe" file from "C:\Windows\eHome" directory to a temporary directory )i.e C:\temp).3) By using ildasm Open the "ehshell.exe" file from wherever you put it. Go to File > Dump and in the options dialog that appears afterwards make sure only 'Dump IL Code' and 'Expand try/catch' and "show progress Bar" (optional) checkboxes are checked. Click ok and save the resulting IL file in a separate directory as "ehshell.il", wait for finishing. 4) Go to temp directory, you will find 2 new files: ehshell.il (Intermediate Language/IL Program logic, Its size should be about 30MB or more (depends on the file version).) and ehshell.res (resource) please uncheck "Hide extensions for known files" before in Windows Explorer to recognize/separate them easier).5) Open ehshell.res by using resource hacker (or whatever resource editor you have) as .res file/all files not PE, In resouce tree, replace the icon resouce with Vista one (you can take it from original Vista ehshell.exe) etc and change/rename the resource named "0" below the ?? (Icon group resource) and call it NEUTRALSTRINGS.XMLafter that save it back.6) Open ehshell.il by using any text file editor (e.g. Notepad, Wordpad, or powerful UltraEdit -> My favorite), and only find (by using find/search function) string "Media Center" (with quotes!)and change them all (manually one by one - its recommended dont use replace all function) to "Windows Media Center"(This will change the taskbar title bar (minimized window) from "Media Center" to "Windows Media Center" like Vista. By patching ehui.dll too, you also get Vista icon on it. That's it Save it back as previous/default (UTF-8 format, never use ANSI)7) Recompile ehshell.exe:Open command prompt (run-> type "cmd") and execute ilasm (should be in same directory/folder with ehshell.res, ehshell.il, and msvcr71.dll) with this command line parameter:ilasm /resource:ehshell.res /exe ehshell.ilor simply create, copy, and execute a .bat file in the same folder then execute it After long time assembly process (few minutes) about 30Mb in size, Please make sure you have seen the created ehshell.exe with new Vista Icon (or refresh the folder).(Note: This icon is useful to get "100% Vista Flavor" though it may not be much useful in MCE UI (you can still manipulate the old Xp MCE Icon shortcut with Vista before)But if you use e.g Application launcher Gadget for Vista Sidebar ported to Xp, you'll find it's useful since it links only to executables, not their shortcuts, and i love to see All/most MCE executables automatically becomes Vista icon in my ehome directory. To be perfect8) Last steps/finishing:Copy all patched MCE files (ehshell.exe, ehres.exe, ehdrop.exe, ehui.dll) + sn.exe + msvcr71.dll in safe mode or using Replacer etc to ehome directory (%WinDir%\eHome) and replace the old files (dont forget to create back-up of them b4!).Then same simple step above to disable strong name validation error:open command prompt and execute sn.exe by using this command in ehome folder (to disable .net assembly strong name validation for ehshell.exe, or it won't work since it's been hacked by us!):cd %windir%\ehomesn -Vr ehshell.exeor only sn -Vr *(for all .net executables, but i prevented this selectively because of security issue, you can find other executables later) or simply create the bat file with that, copy, and execute it in the directoryYou can do the same way with registerMCEapp.exe (it's optional though, or unnecessary)Or you can also create a reg file that contains this entry for them (would give similar result):Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\StrongName\Verification\ehshell,31BF3856AD364E35][HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\StrongName\Verification\RegisterMCEApp,31BF3856AD364E35]9) After that, copy "Windows Media Center" shortcut (Windows Media Center.lnk) to:Start Menu : %AllUsersProfile%\Start Menu or default value "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu"All Programs : %AllUsersProfile%\Start Menu\Programs or default value "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs"Media Center Program Folder: %AllUsersProfile%\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Media Center or default value "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Media Center"QuickLaunch : %UserProfile%\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch or default value "C:\Documents and Settings\[Your user name]\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch" (You must have to show hidden files and folders before: Windows Explorer->Tools->Folder Options->View, then check "Show hidden files and folders". You can restore them back to default setting later.)Desktop (optional/additional) : %AllUsersProfile%\Desktop or %UserProfile%\Desktop default value "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop" or "C:\Documents and Settings\[Your user name]\Desktop"You can also create the Vista Windows Media Center Shortcuts by yourself there in every place above:Right Click empty area -> New -> Shorcut (or right click ehshell.exe, "create shortcut" then edit it as below):Name : Windows Media Center (will be Windows Media Center.lnk)Location (Target) : %windir%\ehome\ehshell.exe (or C:\Windows\ehome\ehshell.exe by default)Start in : %windir%\ehomeComment : Opens your home entertainment option for digital and on-demand media, including TV, movies, music and pictures.Run : Normal Window (by default)Note: Comment infotip resource is also from ehres.dll (ehres.dll,-116) in MCE setup (in medctroc.inf)Then also delete all old MCE shortcuts (Media Center.lnk) there. Congrats, now you also have Vista-like shortcut (Windows Media Center.lnk) with its name and comment/infotip to launch Windows Media Center, with Vista taste/flavor. Icon should be automatically linked to default ehshell.exe by default (ehshell.exe,0).10) Optional: "Optimizing MCE" in Old/Low End Machine (Preventing any error of it on Low End Machine).Sometimes/maybe if you have Xp MCE 2005 installed on low end machine with onboard/low-end VGA or without good drivers installed, then Windows Media Center often gives any error message, black screen, etc when it's loading. It's caused Xp MCE 2005 natively requires higher specs hardwares than normal Xp and acceleration (as Xp MCE 2005 requirements) such as supported DX9 VGA card, good monitor resolution etc, some items that might not be available on old/low end machine (the same case with Vista Movie Maker on old hardware). However seems that we can fix that by this little hacking that i've found:Oh one more this can be for any version/build of Windows Media Center:- Decompile ehshell.exe by using the above way (ildasm.exe)- After that, open ehshell.il file by using any text file editor/Notepad (again i recommend UltraEdit, it's awesome app for editing text and scripting)Go to line 567908 (usually will be different address on another version/build) or only search for the second #StartupError.Title" string (without quotes-This is a load string function for error message) and find some routines like below:// Code size 161 (0xa1) .maxstack 9 .locals (string V_0, string V_1, class ServiceBus.UIFramework.Dialog V_2, class [EhCM]eHome.UI.Library.DialogMenuItem[] V_3) IL_0000: call class ServiceBus.UIFramework.PageBasedUCPService ServiceBus.UIFramework.PageBasedUCPService::get_DefaultUCP() IL_0005: pop IL_0006: call class ServiceBus.UIFramework.StringTable ServiceBus.UIFramework.UCPService::get_StringTable() IL_000b: ldstr "#StartupError.Title" IL_0010: ldnull IL_0011: callvirt instance string ServiceBus.UIFramework.StringTable::ProcessLocalisableString(string, class ServiceBus.UIFramework.XmlControl)OK, look at this string above:IL_0000: call class ServiceBus.UIFramework.PageBasedUCPService ServiceBus.UIFramework.PageBasedUCPService::get_DefaultUCP()Change it all to:IL_0000: retSo the entire lines will become: // Code size 161 (0xa1) .maxstack 9 .locals (string V_0, string V_1, class ServiceBus.UIFramework.Dialog V_2, class [EhCM]eHome.UI.Library.DialogMenuItem[] V_3) IL_0000: ret IL_0005: pop IL_0006: call class ServiceBus.UIFramework.StringTable ServiceBus.UIFramework.UCPService::get_StringTable() IL_000b: ldstr "#StartupError.Title" IL_0010: ldnull IL_0011: callvirt instance string ServiceBus.UIFramework.StringTable::ProcessLocalisableString(string, class ServiceBus.UIFramework.XmlControl)That's it. Save and compile it as usual.Next time while you're opening Media Center on old machine, you won't get any error anymore, and it will load quicker. (But you don't have to do this on a capable/new machine, it will be useless) .===============11) Optional/Not Necessary In Most Cases -> (Not necessary for converted and original Xp MCE 2005 OS) Porting MCE executable (ehshell.exe) to work on any non Xp MCE 2005 OS (Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, 2003, Home Server, even maybe Vista Basic) as well as my Windows Media Center installer :Most people have already converted the Xp Pro/Home to MCE and/or Tablet PC (while most in "complicated ways") but in my opinion, they actually haven't ported the applications, but only the OS. This was just i did with the Windows Media Center installer for Xp Pro above (since it won't hack/change/convert the OS itself & system to only install MCE). However, again, there are some advantages if you converted Xp to Xp MCE 2005 since it would get all updates from Windows Update for MCE as well as the genuine OSes/OK, Here are the steps (Just for your information/knowledge):- After dissasemblying ehshell.exe by ildasm, open ehshell.il by using above way (text editor) then find string "StartupError.NotFreestylePID" (without quotes), using Find and Replace function, then you should see the routines like this: IL_0019: call int32 [EhCM]eHome.Native.Win32::GetSystemMetrics(int32) IL_001e: brtrue.s IL_002d IL_0020: ldc.i4.1 IL_0021: stloc.0 IL_0022: ldstr "#StartupError.NotFreestylePID" IL_0027: starg.s id IL_0029: br.s- look at "GetSystemMetrics" Win32 API call string, In MSDN here, it's just the function to retrieves various system metrics and system configuration settings (Note: System metrics are the dimensions (widths and heights) of Windows display elements). But here it's actually an internal function to recognize the OS is MCE or not (e.g Xp Pro, Home, etc). So i just reversed the call (make it would recognize non Xp MCE as Xp MCE, but if you used it on original Xp MCE, of course the load string function (below that) would give error message (small window) like "Media Center only works in Windows Xp MCE" or something stupid like that, (So it's just optional, as you can also totally disable and skip this step on Xp MCE 2005)change IL_001e: brtrue.s IL_002dtoIL_001e: brfalse.s IL_002dsave and recompile it as usual as the above way (step 6 & 9). Done.=========================================Thanks and Credits to Microsoft, Rafael Rivera and The Green Button Also my good friend Ricktendo64 for his kind permission so i can use most of his MCE skin/ehres.dll resource for my own one and N1K (Wincert) for providing FTP Server, Orbit30, MyThemesStudio app (PCoverhaulers)->for Vista style skin template, and of course mainly the coolest forum Wincert here, thanx alot i love you all hehe. Also special thanx to our friend Kyosan (WinMatrix) for inspiring me.... Please enjoy for free, i hope they can be useful for you, especially Xp users (sorry if not, all done just for fun and sharing hehe)... And very sorry 4 my very bad English. Sorry forgot: Finally long live Xp and Cya=========================================- Added/Updated for Xp to MCE 2005 Transformation Above (Thanks to Kyosan, WinMatrix):Here are the steps by tmksnyder on The Green Button :1) Get a hold of 'Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD/DVD'(http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/)This is a tool that can take your windows CD and make a bootable windows CD for doing system maintenance. Follow the instructions from the tool. It will create an ISO image that can be burned.2) Boot from your BART PE disk3) Run Regedt32.exe (choose run from the start/go menu etc)4) Load the system hive (\windows\system32\config\system)See http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documen..._load_hive.mspx for instructions on loading and unloading hives. Use test as your keyname for the hive.5) Modify the following registry entries in the loaded system hive.HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA\MediaCenter "Installed"=dword:00000001HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup "SystemPrefix"=hex:ce,13,00,00,00,00,3e,c86) Unload the system hive7) Reboot8) Check your system properties. It should say 'Media Center Edition'. This means the registry change worked.9) Proceed with a repair install using your MCE 2005 CD's. The installer will think it is repairing an MCE 2005 system and will install all the files need for MCE. Good instructions on repair installs are at http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm .10) Run Media Center via Start Menu->Accessories->Media Center->Media Center==========================================My Other Recommended Links To Visit :* Since Windows 7 is just an enhanced version of Vista...:- "List of Most Vista and Windows 7 Applications and Features on Xp" (This is Very Recommended): http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4594- Get Useful and Enhanced Windows 95-98 context menu file viewer : Microsoft QuickView ported to Xp! http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19748- Get thumbnails of more file types on Xp Explorer (included thumbnails of text and document on Windows Explorer!) http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19751- Get original Vista Snipping Tool, Inkball, Sticky Notes, Texas Hold'Em etc ported to Xp http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19718- Get Vista Explorer File Viewer ( Vista Explorer Preview Pane ) "ported" to Xp http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=19634* Since especially Media Center and Tablet PC are integrated nice features into Vista / Windows 7...: Here and - Get Tablet PC Input Panel on Xp like Vista and Windows 7:http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21199=======================================================================================- Additional: My "Little Explanation" for the main point and purpose of this : (Lol sorry for my bad English b4...)Well, again, unlike Vista while Media Center is 100% application-based feature (it's only available on Premium and Ultimate edition), Media Center in Xp is actually OS-based feature which only available in Xp MCE 2005 (that's why no "Vista MCE OS" like previously Xp MCE). It's official MS perspective which is not based on technical reasons though. That's why i/we are still able to port and create installer of MCE (Windows Media Center, as application) to non Xp MCE OS such as Xp Pro, Home, even Server 2003 (not tested yet by me though bcoz i don't have Server 2003 OS installed in PC/VM, but the code calculation is technically yes/very very possible). All can be done without converting the version to MCE (which is changing the OS EULA and license too), unlike the above and any most previous ways for MCE on Xp by other people. This method was founded by Rafael Rivera for first edition of Xp MCE (2002).So the main point is you won't meet "complicated and difficult" steps like above by using my Windows Media Center installer on Xp Pro/Home/Tablet PC/Non MCE, only for installing Windows Media Center application in the current OS, only in 2 minutes done for working MC (Media Center) instead. And it's uninstallable too. (you can even install it on your school or office computers lol). Yeah the main purpose is only to provide working MC in Xp Pro and Home, in the easiest and simplest way for most end users, especially for personal use and collective and for Windows Xp customization and enhancement only, just like Vista and Windows 7, in practical common use. However you can't update the app i.e in Windows update since it wont be recognized as MCE, still Xp Pro. Yeah again i only ported the app without converting the OS itself...However if you really seriously wanted to build a real Media Center system PCs and its multimedia environment and equipments, then would maybe better to convert Xp to real Xp MCE 2005 using any tools and efforts that available here or another place (i.e Ricktendo's MCE add on), or get the original/genuine one since the OS was really special designed and optimized by MS for that, not only the MC app. And it would be always updated + all technical based features (although only the converted version not officially supported by MS and third parties/partners). Or maybe just buy Vista Premium/Ultimate (or later Windows 7) with later MCE version. But hey Xp MCE version is more than good enough for people and me, it would be supported by MS and partners until 2014, longer than Vista Premium! And most Xp driver would be available until the same date too usually (even often i can still see Windows 98 drivers for some new middle class hardware beside Xp (and 2000) and Vista versions). I will keep my genuine Xp until the time, and make dual-triple boot with other OSes (like Windows 7) on all my own machines and office. Sorry for my dirty and bad English here but hopefully clear for you all...Follow your heart and mind...Xp tills the end of the world hehe (like many Windows 98 even NT users who still exist now, it's a fact)...======================================================Updated (Sorry for the bump, important update): Thanks to my friend Juggz from WinMatrix for this plug in and quick tutorial through PM/post thereBig Green Does Not Work (i.e Launch MC ehshell.exe) - MCE Remote Feature:1st off I just want to say "Thank you very, very much" for making this AMIRZ, I am using your WMC Installer for Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC on my laptop w/ XP Pro SP3. I spent quite a while web spelunking some days ago & found your awesome installer. I have been using it since then because the day I found this I acquired a HP USB MCE Remote. I found most everything works as should but I did happen by a couple of bugs (not to sure if anyone else is experiencing these).Big Green Does Not Work (i.e Launch MC ehshell.exe) - MCE Remote Feature:The first thing I noticed was that ol' big green was not functioning. I ended up doing some more spelunking & found this. Before I jumped into regedit as the article states I checked msconfig to see if the entry to launch ehtray at boot already existed, it did & was listed in Task Manager when I checked. I am able to use the Video, Music, Picture buttons to launch MC directly to the corresponding media type. But for some reason it was not picking up the keystroke of big green. One really quick solution I found is using Eventghost, which can be found on sf.net. It has a built in plugin that provides access to MCE remote button remapping.Here's a quick tutorial:Download & install EventGhost. Once installed & running, select File->New. Now right-click Autostart & select Add Plugin. Select Microsoft MCE Remote from the list & click ok. right-click Autostart again & this time select Add Macro. In the new window click on the system node & expand it, select Start Application & click ok. In File path input the location of ehshell (i.e C:\WINDOWS\EHome\ehshell.exe) & in the Working directory field input the directory ehshell resides in (i.e C:\WINDOWS\EHome\) & click ok.Pick up your MCE Remote & press big green. Under description in the log it should have an entry of the keystroke from the remote (i.e MceRemote.Start). Click the entry in the description column & hold/drag it to the new macro. Press big green again & presto!OR...If you want to skip all the above you can simply create a new xml file in the directory EventGhost is installed in & add the following to it:<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?><EventGhost Name="Configuration Tree" Expanded="True" Version="908" Guid="{26532C0B-62AF-421C-A308-C67FC79DE93F}" Time="1236707826.59"><Autostart Name="Autostart" Expanded="True"><Plugin File="MceRemote" Identifier="MceRemote">gAIpLg==</Plugin></Autostart><Macro Name="Start Program: ehshell.exe" Expanded="True"><Event Name="MceRemote.Start"></Event><Action>System.Execute(u'C:\\WINDOWS\\EHome\\ehshell.exe', u'', 0, False, 2, u'C:\\WINDOWS\\EHome\\')</Action></Macro></EventGhost>Remember to change the two "C:\\WINDOWS\\EHome" references to whatever drive & directory you have ehshell installed on.I was planing on trying to make an app that uses keyhooking to do this... But this was definitely a lot easier & less time consuming...The only other thing I noticed is that it did not pick up all the media on my computer correctly. With Videos it picks out what are in the shared folder only, unless I manually add access to a user account or the root of another drive that any reside & it would only go so many directories deep when selecting a path. Until I scanned all my music with WMP again, MC would only pick up what was already in the WMP Library, I tried this trick with video also (i.e synching it in the WMP library) but it did not work. It picks out all the pictures located in the my pictures folder of a user account no problem. Still looking into this one, only if I could figure out a way to manually edit the preset scanned media folder (i.e change from shared to a specific users media directory or directory on a drive)...I am figuring it might have to do with policy restrictions, maybe the files, directories, or drives need to be set as shared but I would love to know if there is an alternate way for security reasons.Well I hope this info will help future users & once again thank you AMIRZ for making the most awesome installer!- Download EventGhost: http://www.eventghost.org/wiki/EventGhost:About#DownloadThanks alot for the update Juggz, i hope it can be useful for many people especially MCE users here and out there who still can't use the MCE remote feature etc. Cheers! Finally Long live Xp! Always! Cya...(Special Thanks to Wincert Admins and Mods for making this thread pinned on Windows Customization sub-forum...)PS: Again, after reading this topic, you can also visit my another thread "List of Most Vista and Windows 7 Applications and features for Xp" on Wincert:http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4594 (very recommended for all Xp users)...- The best internet forum ever for Xp, Vista, and Windows 7 MCE users -> The Green Button (very recommended) : or just Google it:http://thegreenbutton.com/default.aspx- Alternative Windows 7 Style MCE Skin for XP MCE by Ricktendo64:- Similar topic on another forum: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/22552-vista7-media-center-gui-ported-to-windows-xp/...Please continue to read my next Posts below especially #2 and #7, and the next ones for more info...(Courtessy: Wiki) Edited January 2, 2010 by AMIRZ Ariya 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 7, 2009 Author Share Posted March 7, 2009 (edited) :type: (Updated): Windows Media Center Installer for Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, 2003, All Editions (Lite, Installer, Uninstallable):Also added this: For more "Vistaized" environment in Xp with MCE & "Special Guide": Make Xp look and behave like Vista/Windows 7:Original Vista Sample MCE Recorded TV (dvr-ms: Apollo 13, Jewels of Caribbean, Vertigo):http://www.4shared.com/dir/15141313/1ad0f3...ple_Media_.html(Note: Sorry for long time to upload it to ftp server here, got limited bandwidth last month)....Only in less than 2 minutes, you'll get a working Windows Media Center application with full Vista GUI in your Xp Pro/Home/2003 plus some MCE powertoys, and it's uninstallable without messing up your system. Without any long and complicated steps and process at all.Again, unlike other usual ways, this installer will act like 3rd parties, that means it's uninstallable and it won't hack any system file. It's also faster as you don't have to get "long time and complicated process" such as finding and extracting medctr.cab reformatting Windows OS, hacking registry, or booting with Bart PE CD etc etc. (That's why i created this installer: to make the whole process instant easier and fast for most end users, without affecting the Xp/OS itself). Even it will directly install Windows Media Center application update rollup 2 (UR2) with latest build 5.1.2715.2883 on your Xp Pro even without converting it to Xp MCE 2005 OS as you can see the system properties won't change (since i have patched the MCE files so it would work on any non Xp MCE OS). It will install only Media Center app itself and it's already included my Vista Skin above (the Vista skin would be installed by default). Features:- Full Vista GUI (even also some icons, tooltip, taskbar icon and windows name etc - Already included the above Vista MCE skin- Instant/fast. Easy-Uninstallable (clean) without hacking any system file/changing/converting the OS.- Smaller size - Installs only Windows Media Center application, no any complicated process anymore.- Etc + Included All above Vista MCE Skin features.Prerequisites (For Windows Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC with SP2 or SP3 and Windows Server 2003):(user with administration rights who can install Windows Media Center).1. Windows Media Player (WMP) version 10 or 11 -> Required.2. .Net Framework 1.1 with SP1 (or maybe higher) -> Required. (Note: MCE add ons (Alarm Clock and Playlist Editor) need .Net Framework 2.0 (or higher) to work. It's recommended to install it too).Note: Btw I have eliminate dependencies on .Net Framework 1.0 by changing/tweaking the runtime code, so you can directly install only .net Framework 1.1 (or maybe higher) -> so far so good.3. Optional: Supported DVD/MPEG-2 Decoder for MCE (With DVD-Rom/Writer) and some 3rd party codecs -> Optional but recommended 4. MCE compatible hardware such as decent DirectX9 VGA card with latest driver (optional)- Download Windows Media Center Installer for Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, 2003, All Editions (Instant Installer, Uninstallable):File Name: Windows Media Center for Xp Pro, Home, and 2003 Installer.zipSize: 52,62 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/81804447/ba587f35/Windows_Media_Center_for_Xp_Pro_Home_and_2003_Installer.html* (New Added) -> Another stuff:- Media Center Solitaire Powertoys game ported to Xp Pro and Vista: (thanks to Cephead - WinMatrix)-> Actually you don't need to have MCE for playing it, full screen Windows game with MCE background:Size: 2,24 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/92046211/6459a4d2/Media_Center_Solitaire_Game_Ported_to_Xp_Pro_and_Vista.html- Screenshot of Media Center Solitaire:- If you want integrated MCE 2005 add on for Xp Installation:(NLite etc) you can also get Ricktendo's MCE Add On here:http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4652Wish you all the best of luck and cya :welcome:==========================================================================Recommendation: Again, if you only want to get working MCE and/or Tablet PC applications on your Xp Pro/Home/MCE (for tablet apps)/Tablet PC (for MCE app)/Server 2003 especially for "Windows customization and standard usability purposes" e.g make it like Vista etc, then it might be enough to install them using my instant Windows Media Center and Tablet PC installers etc. But if you really want to build a real Media Center PC or install it on real Tablet PC with all equipments, then it might be better (recommended) to get original Xp MCE 2005 or Tablet PC 2005 (legal or...lol) or at least you can also convert your current Xp/2003 OSes to Xp MCE 2005 and/or Tablet PC 2005 (or even both) using above ways as recommended. Especially since they might have been intentionally designed and optimized for the purpose by MS (e.g some settings, basic drivers, etc). Please consider about the advantages and disadvantages, pros and cons, before doing the job. You can still use the same skin/GUI on them using e.g My Vista Skin for Xp MCE 2005 or Vista Pack for Xp Tablet PC 2005 applications to make the apps like the ones in Vista / Windows 7, get them here or from my other related threads. Anyway good luck and long live Xp.Please Note: Since some app files might have been "patched" or "compressed" (packed) to work properly on another Xp OS editions etc and it might be a necessary effort for that beside the installing code itself, then some "false alarm" or "false positive" may happen to some clean exe installers/apps /installation process (rare) although they are actually clean and safe. Usually some great and famous antiviruses (such as Kaspersky, AVG, Norman, McAfee, etc) won't have the such problem so far bcoz they will work better. If that happens, then you can simply ignore it and continue installing as it's guaranteed actually 100% safe and clean by me. But again, it's still 100% your own choice and right to decide.Wait a second, Xp is being old? We're all just talking an operating system, and XP is a great and very stable operating system, and its main purpose is just for running applications, not being themselves and XP does that just fine by far. And we can always use it as long as it really does...(even i have often seen some people who are still using Windows 98, nowadays)...Microsoft, OEM partners, and 3rd party software developers will still support Xp for years (MS security/critical/bug updates until 2014) and all/most 3rd party apps and drivers, hardwares are still compatible with Xp nowadays as well as some years forward, still more than Vista and Windows 7 Beta when i wrote this, fact, so don't worry. Anyway long live Xp!======================================================================New Info of the day:- Vista UAC "ported" to Xp (Vista UAC-like tool for Xp), it works and has similar GUI:http://www.4shared.com/file/93141554/85ec6...UAC_for_Xp.html(Full credits to Mihai Alexandru Vasiliu - jcxp)- The best gallery (softwares) for xp to Vista/Seven/Mac OSX Leopard/Linux etc transformations: http://www.crystalxp.net/galerie/en.htm- New: Seven Transformation Pack by Windows X (after VTP), + many add ons etc to make Xp like Windows 7:http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23857=====================================================================Xp OS Transformation Packs:- Download: Convert Xp Pro, Home to Xp MCE 2005 Pack without clean install:http://depositfiles.com/en/files/e36w3x9jaVista Skin for Xp MCE 2005 (Windows Media Center):http://www.4shared.com/file/88509509/e3227...127153011_.htmlhttp://www.4shared.com/file/83004700/39da0...p_MCE_2005.html- Download: Convert Xp Pro, Home, MCE to Xp Tablet PC 2005 Pack without clean install:http://depositfiles.com/en/files/173n1c4m1Vista Pack for Xp Tablet PC 2005 (Vistaized Tablet PC Applications UI: Journal, Inkball etc):http://www.4shared.com/file/100354314/1eb8...plications.html=====================================================================ANOTHER GUIDE: ONE GOOD EXAMPLE OF CUSTOMIZING/ENHANCING XP TO MAKE IT LOOK AND BEHAVE LIKE VISTA (ALSO WINDOWS 7)(In A Simplest/Minimalistic Way Without Being 100% Vista “Copycat” Lol)...Important Note: You can always customize your Windows Xp less or more or as much as you want, that’s why it’s called “personal desktop” anyways. You’re not required to make it 100% look or behave like Vista, but still “enhance” it instead (Usability is still more important than eye candy anyways IMHO)…Some further tweaks maybe required as well.You can also find/get some links for these items mainly from the main list above of course (“List of Most Vista/Windows 7 Applications and Features for Xp”) or just google them as usual etc.PS: On Windows 7 Beta, even some Vista native applications (e.g Windows Meeting Space and PhotoGallery) have been removed (get the replacements from both Windows Live and Office Live).Any effort to get them all is still relevant since Windows 7 is an enhanced version of Vista...- DESKTOP/SHELL GUI:Bootscreen: Just Standard Xp or another one with Tuneup Utilities (better than “empty”black Vista BS imo)Logon Screen: One from Xpize with Tuneup UtilitiesThemes/VS: VistaXp by KOLWallpapers: Original Vista WalsScreensavers: Original Vista SS ported to XpMost Shell Icons: Get them from VTP 9 (selective install)Vista Start Menu: Customize Xp Start Menu Without Vistart and Any Third Party: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=20450ANIMATED GUI (DWM Emulation):Shadow: Y’z Shadow Transparency: Border Skin (optional, too bad transparency sucks on Xp, mainly with topdesk)Animated Icon: Uber Icon (optional)Animated window: Window FXFlip3d: Topdesk and Vista Flip3d iconTaskbar Thumbnail: Visual TooltipTransparent window and always on top: PowerMenu (optional)WINDOWS EXPLORER FEATURES:Explorer Breadcrumb Addressbar: Folder Pilot or QTTabbar or Minimalist Explorer BreadcrumbVista Favorite Links: FindeXerVista Live Icon/Thumbnail and Metadata: Get More Thumbnail and Metadata on XpVista Viewer Pane and Search: Get Vista Explorer Preview Pane and Search on XpVista Command Prompt on Context Menu: Command Prompt PowerToyVista New Window on Context Menu: Add New Window on Context MenuORIGINAL VISTA APPLICATIONS:IE7: IE7 or IE8WMP 11: WMP 11 with Vista WMP 11 Skin or Windows 7 WMP 12 Skin eitherWindows PhotoGallery: Windows Live Photo GalleryWindows Mail: Windows Live MailWindows Calendar: Windows Live Mail or/and MS Works CalendarWindows Movie Maker: Windows Movie Maker with Vista Skin by fediaFediaWindows DVD Maker: Microsoft PhotoStory 3 with Sonic DVD Burning Plug In or Better to get Sonic RecordNow with/without DVD Studio or NeroExplorer DVD Burning: ISO powertoy and IMAPI V2Windows Notepad, Paint, Calculator: Vista ones ported to XpWindows Defender: Windows Defender for Windows XpWindows Search: Windows Search 4.0 for XpWindows Sidebar: Windows Sidebar ported to Xp by RicktendoWindows Media Center: MCE 2005 or Windows Media Center for Xp with Vista SkinWindows Meeting Space: Just Net Meeting or Microsoft SharedViewTablet PC Applications:Snipping Tool: Vista Snipping Tool ported to XpSticky Notes: Sticky Notes ported to XpWindows Journal: Windows Journal ported to XpWindows Tablet PC Input Panel: Tablet PC Input Panel for Windows XpWindows Vista Games: Vista Games ported to XpDirectX10, .Net Framework 3.0, IMAPI V2 etc: They all have been ported to Windows Xp as well (read the list/google...) Etc.Again sorry for not being so complete, instead this is just one example (from my previous desktop), and you can always customize your Xp much more better completely just like/following the entire list or another alternative source of course, still your own choice and taste…anyhow it’s still recommended to only get the most wanted or needed/favorite features for you (remember that more apps=more resources), do it selectively. Anyway good luck and long live Xp indeed… cyaBONUS: Just Added Some Tools for Windows Explorer to The Thread Here:Some Free-Powerful Shell Extensions for Windows XP Explorer (Recommended for XP - work on other OSes like 2003, Vista, or Windows 7 too)You can also visit my original thread on Deviantart for more info, updates, etc here (Windows All): http://amirsyahrani.deviantart.com/art/Great-Windows-Explorer-Tools-1429134251. XP / 2003 Only: Enable XP / Common Visual Style on Some Controls of Loaded Shell Extensions For Free - An Important feature for Windows XP shell customization... (Especially 3rd parties) - in shell extensions or activex objects (e.g toolbar button / BHO, explorer bar, context menu items etc) in Windows Explorer, note must support / have InitCommonControls function, with link to comctl32 version 6 in XP/Vista or higher, and so on). For more info please see some documentations about it on MSDN: e.g http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb775695%28VS.85%29.aspx and http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms997646.aspx(Look, if you have Vista / WIndows 7 then you will notice that Vista / 7 has already improved/enabled the feature natively, by default. You would also get the feature by installing Window Blinds on XP, but it's not free though...). To get the visual feature on XP and 2003 as default (M$ didn't do it for "some political reason" lol), on any shell extensions (especially 3rd party, if supported) visually without installing or patching any file, especially when on non-classic theme, just simply put / copy the explorer.exe.manifest (external manifest file) to Windows Directory to enable the feature without tampering explorer.exe itself or any system file (just take advantage of its "hidden" native feature instead). Easy to do that, without any special skill or "hacking" and programming language at all, lol that's it. It's safe and not harmful at all, would make XP shell looks better. You can safely delete it easily anytime if you dont want it anymore. Useful for both dev and user. Very small size (download explorer.exe.manifest for only less than 1 KB lol!)For Example:A. Before applying manifest (oldy):(Click to enlarge)B. After applying manifest (better look):(Click to enlarge)Download it Here (With Guide & Batch Files etc): (and just put it on Windows Directory (%Windir% or C:\Windows, then restart Explorer/Windows to see the changes)http://www.4shared.com/file/146116163/39c2b651/Visual_Manifest_for_XP_Explorer_Shell_Extension.htmlOr Just Download explorer.exe.manifest file only:http://www.4shared.com/file/146169885/abb0c923/explorerexe.htmlAlternatively you can also copy this code and save it as .manifest file named "explorer.exe.manifest" using Notepad:<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><assembly xmlns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:asm.v1" manifestVersion="1.0"><assemblyIdentity version="1.0.0.0" processorArchitecture="X86" name="CompanyName.ProductName.YourApp" type="win32"/><description>Your application description here.</description><dependency><dependentAssembly> <assemblyIdentity type="win32" name="Microsoft.Windows.Common-Controls" version="6.0.0.0" processorArchitecture="X86" publicKeyToken="6595b64144ccf1df" language="*" /> </dependentAssembly></dependency></assembly>You can also use it with any "MyApp" app with myapp.exe executable file for similar purpose as well (if supported, with above requirements e.g has link to comctl32 and so on), just rename it myapp.exe.manifest (following the executable name) and put it as external file in the same directory e.g in MyApp folder).To get the same result on control panel extension/applets (.cpl), since .cpl is actually a dll that is running by using rundll32.exe, then just use same manifest file (renamed to "rundll32.exe.manifest") and copy it to C:\Windows\system32. You may need to restart Windows (or the service) before the change appears.Download (complete): http://www.4shared.com/file/153774846/19cdeadc/Visual_Manifest_for_XP_Control_Panel_Extension.htmlOr download rundll32.exe.manifest file only: http://www.4shared.com/file/153775143/deca42b9/rundll32exe.html2. "New Folder" Button in XP Explorer Toolbar / Command Bar (just like Windows 7):Actually Windows XP already has its own "Make a new folder" button too, to create a new folder in Windows Explorer (it's located in XP Webview Panel/Common Task Pane, see screenshot: http://img243.imageshack.us/i/standardxpnewfolderbutt.jpg/ ), but yeah some people would love it's on the explorer toolbar as well as Open/Save dialog box (and just like Windows 7 RTM Explorer now). Hopefully useful for you...Since Baxbex new folder offered only old Windows 98 style icon (not matching with new XP visual style) see: http://www.baxbex.com/images/shoots/bxnewfolder.html'>http://www.baxbex.com/images/shoots/bxnewfolder.html , then you can just download this free add on for new folder button in XP Explorer Toolbar (my created-skinned/reshacked bxnewfolder with Vista / 7 style icon etc) + using hotkey and floating dialog box, + external manifest file (explorer.exe.manifest) to enable XP / Visual style on some controls as above. Fully functional and working as well. See online screenshots: http://img263.imageshack.us/i/newfolderbuttoninxpexpl.jpg/ and http://img263.imageshack.us/i/cleanerusefuldialogboxa.jpg/-> Screenshots of "New Folder" button on XP Explorer Toolbar:(Sorry can't display more larger images here for some technical reason):A. Vista / 7 style icon new folder on XP Toolbar:(Click to enlarge)B. Creating new folder on XP Explorer:(Click to enlarge)C. Creating new folder dialog box - useful and cleaner UI with XP / Vista visual style:Download it Here: http://www.4shared.com/file/140689147/273f676f/New_Folder_Button_in_Explorer_Toolbar.htmlHopefully still useful especially for XP users here (works on 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003..., while it has only dialog box and hotkey on Vista and 7 though). By the way, since this one is just using the same library from baxbex new folder (it's freeware, all credits and thanks to Baxbex), and most people had complaint about that they were not able to reshack the app using Resource Hacker / any res editor to change the original "old" Windows 98 style icon etc in the bx toolbar, actually it's because the file (activeX dll) was encrypted and compressed (packed) with 3rd party PE compressor (e.g UPX, Execryptor...), after checking it by PEid then i found it that was Aspack 2.12 and then decided to unpack it, (note: not all app binaries can work properly after they are unpacked, so it's also necessary to dissassembly, dump and rebuild the PE headers, some fixes and rechecks etc) until the dll was registered fine, finally the little work was kinda like reverse engineering rather than just reshacking lol. And since it was unpacked (uncompressed), the size become little bigger of course lol although there's no problem with it, anyway i wish they would also update the app in near future, soon...Updated: If you already have standard/original Baxbex New Folder application installed: http://www.baxbex.com/ , then you can also just download this smaller patch only to get Vista style icon (would also give the similar result): http://www.4shared.com/file/152692792/57222e19/Baxbex_New_Folder-Vista_Icon__Patch_Only_.html3. FolderBox for Windows Explorer (Unpacked too/Skinned/skinnable):A free application that displays additional folders (window) in the lower part of Windows Explorer, displays the contents of two folders or more, useful and cool (with Windows 98 icons though). So i just changed some few UI features of it (unpacked and res-edited like BxNewFolder above, "fixed" text, enabled "dead" icons and so on...). a free application that displays additional folders (window) in the lower part of Windows Explorer, displays the contents of two folders or more, very useful. Since it's already unpacked, you may customize the icons yourself if you want later, by using any capable delphi res editor e.g PE Explorer. At least it's still better than original look imo, + also enabled (some) XP visual common controls as said above, works well on Vista and Windows 7 as well as Windows XP:Screenshot:(Click to enlarge)Edit/Updated: Beside the standard one, i've just added FolderBox with Vista Icons (on its toolbar - see screenshots), sorry just got them for free (free Vista toolbar icons, 100% legal). Just like the standard one, FolderBox with Vista icons will work well on all Windows versions: 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, and Windows 7 without any problem so far:Screenshot of FolderBox (with Vista icons) on XP and Windows 7:(Click to enlarge)Download it here:http://www.4shared.com/file/145993156/b890321e/Baxbex_FolderBox_Unpacked-Skinned.htmlAgain this FolderBox version works on Windows all: 98, ME, 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7...all credits to Baxbex for the free original apps (just skinned them).Updated: If you already have standard/original Baxbex FolderBox application installed: http://www.baxbex.com/ , then you can also just download this smaller patch only to get Vista style icons (would also give the similar result): http://www.4shared.com/file/152692434/46e8ddff/Baxbex_FolderBox-Vista_Style_Icons__Patch_Only_.html4. Another Useful File Viewer for XP Explorer With Preview Pane (just like Vista / Windows 7 feature):Preview any file on Windows Explorer (text, documents, images, multimedia audio-video, compressed binaries etc) without using the default application, easy and faster:Screenshot:(Click to enlarge)Updated: it's already included a patch to get Vista style icons too (optional) now, in the same download package below:Download it here:http://www.4shared.com/file/145080698/fe089106/File_Preview_Program_for_Windows_Explorer.htmlOS: Windows XP, 2003, Vista, Windows 7...(Windows All). You can also please visit my thread here for more options etc:http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/19634-get-windows-vista-like-explorer-and-search-preview-pane-for-xp/- Added Here: Some other free "special" shell extension-based tools/apps that might be useful for you (file viewers and metadata properties tools etc) here:Download links:- EXIF tooltip & tag editor on context menu : http://www.4shared.com/file/68602957/34e8b46a/Exif_Tag_Editor_for_Windows_Xp.html- Multimedia tooltip & tag editor on context menu (album art + metadata editor etc) : http://www.4shared.com/file/60548711/9c3f833c/Multimedia_Tooltip_for_Explorer.html- Thumbnail for text files on Windows Explorer : http://www.4shared.com/file/60260203/cf905a8d/Thumbnail_Extensions_103__text_file_thumbnail_on_explorer_.html- Vista Explorer preview pane for XP (File viewer-Complete) : http://www.4shared.com/file/58042204/7195bc4a/Vista__Explorer_Preview_Pane_for_Xp.html- MacOSX/Leopard-style Coverflow (AKA Quicklook) for Windows Explorer (directory, file content, & thumbnail viewer etc):Explorer Coverflow for Windows by Vemod - aqua-soft.org (full credits to him) : http://www.aqua-soft.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=52376 Edit: there are still "afew issues" with Vista/7 though, also seems it's not quite stable on XP. Anyhow it's still free and working, and seems the app itself is still under development/being developed...(thanks to my friend Kyosan for the info btw).Note: XP/2003: You need administrator rights to install the shell extensions. Vista/Windows 7: Make sure you always install/register/run "as administrator" (self explanatory)... Edited November 17, 2009 by AMIRZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricktendo Posted March 7, 2009 Share Posted March 7, 2009 AMIRZ nice work as always, is the Media Center installer a vanilla install?I mean does it come with the Vista skin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 8, 2009 Author Share Posted March 8, 2009 Thanks Rick yes it does include the above Vista skin + some other features as said above (smaller, uninstallable, tweaked and so on)By the way i have just heard that IE8, WMP, Sidebar, Mail, even Media Center will be made 100% removable (uninstallable) in future Windows 7. As end users, we will have more option to still keep them or not (i just remembered Xp lite) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Smartepants Posted March 8, 2009 Share Posted March 8, 2009 Holy Crap! If this reads like I think it reads, then this negates the need for Rick's or Orbit30's addons...right? Wow. Hats off to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 (edited) Thanks Mr_Smartepants . Well, basically we can get Windows Media Center working on Xp Pro, Home, Tablet PC, and Server 2003, Home Server by 2 ways here: you can directly convert the OS to Xp MCE 2005 (either using Rick's and Orbit 30 MCE add ons/converter or any other effort as long as you have at least medctr.cab and MCE command, no need to reinstall the OS though -> for example please visit the Xp Pro to MCE and Tablet PC tutorial without reinstalling the OS HERE), or install Windows Media Center (as ported app) using the Windows Media Center installer that i made.Of course they have all advantages and disadvantages: For example, if you installed MCE using the installer: it's faster, smaller sized, vistaized (skinned), easier for most end users (no additional steps required, just a conventional installer like other 3rd parties), uninstallable, no system file changed, no license issue (i.e for corporate user since the OS is never converted to MCE 2005, as you can see system properties) but you won't get any update for MCE since the OS will still be recognized as Xp Pro/Home, not MCE 2005. Otherwise if you converted the OS to MCE 2005, the converted OS will really act as original MCE 2005 (almost no difference) and get any update. But it's not uninstallable/reversible, and may need some additional steps (booting from Bart PE disc to change the registry, even reinstalling the OS etc). And some people like me might not be comfortable to see their system properties changed (from Xp Pro to MCE or Tablet PC 2005) only to get MCE app on the OS.However, if you still want to get the most perfect result i.e to build a serious/real Media Center system PC at your home, i suggest that the best way is still either converting Xp Pro to MCE or directly installing original Xp MCE 2005 OS itself (or just Vista Ultimate hehe) since they will get any update and support from MS and partners, and there are still some original MCE-only features since the OS has been special designed and optimized for real Media Center system, not only MCE app i guess. So, as said above, IMO Rick's and Orbit 30 MCE add ons are still some of the best things ever for that purpose as far i know. And you can still apply/use my Vista Skin above as well... Anyway good luck Edited March 9, 2009 by AMIRZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 15, 2009 Author Share Posted March 15, 2009 (edited) Additional MCE and Tablet PC Stuffs for Xp :It reminds me about MSFN/Rafael "Xp Ultimate" project several years ago ...although it's been "officially" removed on their sites, but you can still find and download some torrents of it though...). However you can still create your own "Xp Ultimate yourself", more customizable by converting Xp Pro/Home to either or both Xp MCE 2005 and Xp Tablet PC 2005 (OSes). Since they are supersets of Xp Pro with add ons (still based on same code base), hopefully there's no compatibility issue (exception maybe some OEM or unsigned drivers and settings though i.e Tablet PC 2005 basic driver is not compatible with my Toshiba Notebook OEM Battery driver, btw based on my own experience) and don't worry, there's no Xp Pro/Home feature removed. Here is the simple way without need to reinstall/reformat the OS (you may need some tools that can be downloaded/googled below). Anyway Good luck :thumbsup_anim: :Download "The Concept of XP Ultimate Edition.pdf" for more info:http://www.4shared.com/file/134898335/c4a84645/The_Concept_of_XP_Ultimate_Edition.html- Also visit: http://www.4shared.com/dir/15605295/5d4fb72f/Xp_OS_Transformation_Packs__Tablet_PCMCE_.html=========================================- Convert Xp Pro/Home/Tablet PC to Xp MCE 2005 without reinstalling the OS: If you really want to convert Xp to real Xp MCE 2005 OS without reinstalling/reformatting the OS (it will be recognized as original MCE 2005 by MS and updated!)Some files already included in the package (mediactr.cab, inf so on). You can download my package below(1.)Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0.3705 and It's SP3.Copy "Copy2Gac.exe" to "C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705" (Optional)Install Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 and its SP1.Install WMP 10 or 11 and Supported MCE DVD Decoder such as ones from NVIDIA, Sonic, or WinDVD.(2.)modify MCE registryOpen regedit.exe, goto HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA,create key named “MediaCenter”. Create DWORD Value named “Installed” in key and valued “1”.“Installed” value in “MediaCenter” of XP (VLK Ver) OS must be String Value but DWORD value. And “Installed” value in “MediaCenter” key in all server 2003 OS must be string values. Because there are no WinXP MCE VLK and Win 2003 MCE versions. You can’t login if these values are DWORD!If there is “Installed” valued “0” in “MediaCenter” in your Windows XP, you can not modify it in current OS.You must use “load HIVE” function in another OS (in another PC/partition) like this: Click HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.From the File menu, choose Load Hive,Navigate to the registry location on your OS such as c:\windows\system32\config\system,name it “temp”.after you modified the value to “1”,click temp,choose “unload HIVE” to save it.You can also use Bart PE bootable disc or my fave: ERD Commander 2005 CD (google or download Here )(3.)install Media CenterGet medctroc.inf, plusoc.inf, sonic.inf (all included) .copy them to C:\windows\inf\ ; then Run following commands to install Media CenterOpen Command Prompt (Run -> Type "CMD" without Quotes) or directly double click"MCE.cmd" to run the MCE commands (included).Install Media Center (Need MEDIACTR.CAB):rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection Freestyle 128 medctroc.infInstall Windows Digital Media Enhancement (Need plus.cab):rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusGold 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusSpac 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusDavn 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusNatr 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusMpix 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusDancer 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusParty 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusAudio 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusCDLM 128 plusoc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection PlusTheme 128 plusoc.infInstall Sonic DVD and CD Burning (Need sonic.cab):rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection SonicDVDandCDBurning 128 sonic.infNote: After executing command, it will open new dialog window and ask you to navigate/browse to where you placed mediactr.cab, sonic.cab, and plus.cab. Follow and do it.4) update your MCE 2005 to UR2 (Update Rollup 2). Download it from Microsoft Download Center for free (also with other higher MCE updates if available).NOTE:1.Please open full Video and Audio acceleration in Windows Server 2003Create a folder named "ehome" if it doesnt exist on Server 2003. Copy "CUSTSAT.dll" to it.2.this way also can be applied to Windows XP/2003 x64 Edition, Both “Installed” must be string values3.if you have MCE remote control,MCE remote keyboard U can use Drives for XP in Windows Server 2003.4.Can not install MCE upgrades in Windows Server 2003 because the OS is not WinXP,and there're some other problems by this cause.5.Can not install Update Rollup 2 for MCE2005 when "Installed" is string value.so when you use XP VOL, you can expand "WindowsXPMediaCenter2005-KB900325-XXX.exe",and install upgrades listed in "paths.ini" manual.Thanks to neo.JoeJoe - Download Xp to Xp MCE 2005 OS transformation package (no need to reinstall the OS), guide included: also included mediactr.cab, plus.cab, sonic.cab and their .inf files etc after extracting it :Name : Convert_Xp_to_Xp_MCE_2005.zipSize : 165 Mbhttp://depositfiles.com/en/files/e36w3x9jaAfter you have converted Xp to Xp MCE 2005, then please download and install:- Download Update Rollup 2 for MCE 2005 KB900325 : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en- Download April 2006 Update Rollup KB914548 : http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details...;displaylang=en- Download Vista Skin for Xp MCE 2005:File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005.zipSize: 9,73 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/83004700/39da028f/Vista_Skin_For_Xp_MCE_2005.htmlUpdated MCE version + skin:- Download update Rollup October 2006 KB925766 : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925766and some other latest updates. Note: Again They are not included in SP3 for Xp, you have to download and install them all manually.- Download Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011):File Name: Vista Skin For Xp MCE 2005 (Build 5.1.2715.3011).zipSize: 9,73 Mbhttp://www.4shared.com/file/88509509/e32273d1/Vista_Skin_For_Xp_MCE_2005__Build_5127153011_.html==============================================- Convert Xp Pro/Home/MCE 2005 to Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS without reinstalling the OS:If you really want to convert Xp to real Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS without reinstalling/reformatting the OS (it will be recognized as original MCE 2005 by MS and updated!). Useful i.e you have Tablet PC with Vista installed but still want to: dual boot it with Xp but you only have original Xp Pro. Just convert it to Xp Tablet PC for free.1) Install:-Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0-Install Microsoft .NET Framework 1.0.3705 and It's SP3.-Copy "Copy2Gac.exe" to "C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705"-Install Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 and its SP1.2) Navigate : HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\WPA and create a key named TabletPC now add a string value named "Installed" and set as 1Or directly double click "TabletPC.reg" to merge it into registry->Optional though to finally convert the OS to Xp Tablet PC 2005 as you can see the System Properties changed.But finally the system will still be Tablet PC 2005 OS after some MS updates and boots though.Install Tablet PC 2005 U can replace above commands for MCE or add both MCE+TPC with these commandsGet tabletpc.inf (included) .copy to C:\windows\inf\ ; then Run following commands to install Tablet PC components: Open Command Prompt (Run -> Type "CMD" without Quotes) or directly double click"TABLETPC.cmd" to run the Tablet PC commands (included).rundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection TPG 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection System 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection OOBE 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection Notebook 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection StickyNotes 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection AllShortcuts 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection SRInstall 128 tabletpc.infrundll32 setupapi.dll,InstallHinfSection AllReg 128 tabletpc.infC:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.0.3705\Copy2Gac.exe /i /a /p:"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink\1.7\"Note: After executing command, it will open new dialog window and ask you to navigate/browse to where you placed TabletPC.cab. Follow and do it.To make Tablet PC Input Panel etc working/updated, just download and reinstall SP2/SP3 on Xp. Done.Thanks to neo.JoeJoe - Download Xp to Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS transformation package (no need to reinstall the OS), guide included: also included tabletpc.cab, tabletpc.inf files etc after extracting it :Name : Convert_Xp_to_Xp_Tablet_PC_2005.zipSize : 71 Mbhttp://depositfiles.com/en/files/173n1c4m1After that, please download and/or reinstall SP2 or SP3 for Xp (SP3 is recommended since it's the last one) (i.e to fix/update Tablet PC Input Panel version etc) or using Windows Update.Xp SP2: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049C9DBE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=enXp SP3: http://www.microsoft.com/DownLoads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5b33b5a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&displaylang=en- Special/Recommended Stuffs For XP Tablet PC 2005 Users: Download tip.exe and floattip.exe + some TIP tweaks (Btw it was also included in TIP installer for XP Pro/Home/MCE/2003):Since we can't create shortcut to launch Tablet PC Input Panel (TIP) directly other than the standard icon on taskbar (maybe there's some hidden parameter to launch it, but i don't know so far), In Vista we can launch TIP by just clicking the shortcut on start menu (this is available in my TIP installer for XP Pro and Home). For Xp Tablet PC 2005 users alternatively you can double click tip.exe or the shortcut of it to launch TIP. Also sometimes Xp Tablet PC users can't always find floating icon i.e when launching Notepad with TIP (maybe depending on brand/hardwares/some drivers etc), then you can use floattip.exe to fix/show the floating TIP icon always. Small size and very useful.Download: http://www.4shared.com/file/131012916/83a6f6c4/tipexe__floattipexe_for_Xp_Tablet_PC_2005.htmlDownload Vista / Windows 7 Icons for TIP, Journal, Sticky Notes, Inkball (XP Tablet PC Applications):http://www.4shared.com/file/131121973/3bdfa356/Vista_7_Icons_for_TIP_Journal_Inkball_Sticky_Notes.html==============================================Note: The process is not reversible/uninstallable though...Again good luck and long live Xp! Cya (need vacation now hehe)My Other Recommended Links To Visit :* Since Windows 7 is just an enhanced version of Vista...:- "List of Most Vista Applications and Features on Xp" (This is Very Recommended): http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=4594- Get Useful and Enhanced Windows 95-98 context menu file viewer : Microsoft QuickView ported to Xp! HERE - Get thumbnails of more file types on Xp Explorer (included thumbnails of text and document on Windows Explorer!) HERE- Get original Vista Snipping Tool, Inkball, Sticky Notes, Texas Hold'Em etc ported to Xp HERE- Get Vista Explorer File Viewer ( Vista Explorer Preview Pane ) "ported" to Xp HERE* Since especially Media Center and Tablet PC are integrated nice features into Vista / Windows 7...: Here and - Get Tablet PC Input Panel on Xp like Vista and Windows 7: http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=21199=========================================================SPECIAL VISTA PACK FOR XP TABLET PC 2005 APPLICATIONS:This special pack is to change some Xp Tablet PC 2005 Applications (Tablet PC Input Panel/TIP, Journal, Inkball, Sticky Notes) look like the ones in Vista Ultimate/Premium/Enterprise (or even maybe on Windows 7) "little" xD. Working on original Windows Xp Tablet PC 2005 and the "converted versions" of it (e.g Xp Pro/Home which have been "converted" yet to Tablet PC 2005 OS) all. Btw you can also get "vistaized" Inkball game and Sticky Notes working fine "portably" on Xp Pro/Non tablet PC only by installing Windows Journal Viewer and .Net framework 1.1. If you don't have Xp Tablet PC 2005 OS but still want some of its components on Xp Pro/Home by default (just like Windows Vista/Seven) Google it or you can read my threads (Wincert and WinMatrix) about how to easily convert Xp Pro/Home/MCE to Tablet PC 2005 or have some components of it etc: http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=5023 and you can also do the same with MCE 2005 on Xp Pro/Home/Tablet PC (Windows Media Center): http://www.wincert.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=5602 Yeah, the versions of above Tablet PC applications in Vista only have little different GUIs, especially icon (and toolbar on Journal). So you can change/replace them for having the same icons with Vista's ones. This pack even will add some additional components which are some Vista-like Tablet PC control panel applets (Vista Tablet PC and Pen applets) on Xp control panel, yeah just really like Vista xD (as well as my Tablet PC Input Panel Installer for Xp Pro, Home, MCE etc on Wincert and WinMatrix forums). Completely with guide (included) for more info...:- Download Vista Pack for Xp Tablet PC 2005 Applications:Name: Vista Pack for Xp Tablet PC Applications.zip Size: only 2,38 MbMD5 check: 1ee15a35a8397b36ded9ba6c0a420f0ehttp://www.4shared.com/file/100354314/1eb8...plications.html- Special/Recommended Stuffs For XP Tablet PC 2005 Users: Download tip.exe and floattip.exe + some TIP tweaks (Btw it was also included in TIP installer for XP Pro/Home/MCE/2003):Since we can't create shortcut to launch Tablet PC Input Panel (TIP) directly other than the standard icon on taskbar (maybe there's some hidden parameter to launch it, but i don't know so far), In Vista we can launch TIP by just clicking the shortcut on start menu (this is available in my TIP installer for XP Pro and Home). For Xp Tablet PC 2005 users alternatively you can double click tip.exe or the shortcut of it to launch TIP. Also sometimes Xp Tablet PC users can't always find floating icon i.e when launching Notepad with TIP (maybe depending on brand/hardwares/some drivers etc), then you can use floattip.exe to fix/show the floating TIP icon always. Small size and very useful.Download: http://www.4shared.com/file/131012916/83a6f6c4/tipexe__floattipexe_for_Xp_Tablet_PC_2005.htmlDownload Vista / Windows 7 Icons for TIP, Journal, Sticky Notes, Inkball (XP Tablet PC Applications):http://www.4shared.com/file/131121973/3bdfa356/Vista_7_Icons_for_TIP_Journal_Inkball_Sticky_Notes.html Edited October 4, 2009 by AMIRZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 18, 2009 Author Share Posted March 18, 2009 :sleeping: OK thread updated (the last) with new little additional content. Btw i'm very tired..need to go vacation for days. Thanks for the attention and support especially to Ricktendo and Mr Smartepants above, thanks alot guys cya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccl0 Posted March 18, 2009 Share Posted March 18, 2009 (edited) i'm always amazed by the detailed, in depth information in your posts Edited March 18, 2009 by ccl0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 19, 2009 Author Share Posted March 19, 2009 i'm always amazed by the detailed, in depth information in your postsThank you ccl0, i hope they can be useful for us and other Xp users, or at least just for the information hehe. Anyways cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 19, 2009 Share Posted March 19, 2009 If there is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) If there is Edited March 20, 2009 by AMIRZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I download converter from Ind,everything is installed nice except for rollup 2. It said that i don't have windows xp media center edition.Such problem i have on y notebook hp 6617en.On my Pc everything works fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) I download converter from Ind,everything is installed nice except for rollup 2. It said that i don't have windows xp media center edition.Such problem i have on y notebook hp 6617en.On my Pc everything works fine.Sorry i think i don't get it mate what is "Ind". Where is it?. (Indonesia? Lolzz )If your OS Xp Pro, the converter should totally convert it to real MCE (Xp MCE is just a superset of Xp Pro), so it could get the update without any problem regardless of hardware (not sure about 3rd party drivers conflict though) Edited March 20, 2009 by AMIRZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 No...is it release group.http://thepiratebay.org/torrent/4331884/Windows.XP.to.Media.Center.Edition.2005.Converter-iNDOn Pc everything works fine,on notebook - then I boot from cd to change some reg files - it said that can't find that registy... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I reinstalled windows xp on my notebook,now doing everything by your guideStuck here: If there is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 The only way I doing this is to test if the media center button will work on my remote which was with Hp Notebook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 I used BartPe to create Media center key and Installed 1,but after restart they are gone.I mean if you boot windows xp and go to regedit there is media center and dword file installed is set to 0.How to fix it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 must be String Value but DWORD valueHow can it be string and dword at the same time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) Navigate to the registry location on your OS such as c:\windows\system32\config\system,name it “temp”.I'm doing it with bartPe disk...but then I open my Pc there is no disk C.What to do?Update1: I found disk C,I'm goind to the windows\system32 and it is empty.What to do?Another update:For some reason after restart the files in system32 are visible.I did just like in the instruction.After restart it told that my activation is failed...But I messed up,so now I'm reinstalling it again...Update3:After I did load hive and changed installed from 0 to 1 and unload it, I boot up system and it said that windows activation is gone,reinstall it again.Damn...Update4:Stupid me.Lol.I was changing the Dword file,but what I needed was to delete it нахуй and to make a String.Now installing it.Update5:WOOOOOOHA!I installed it...but I can't install rollup 2.It said that this update is only for media center. Edited March 20, 2009 by Max-kun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 It usually happened only to converted Xp Pro Corp license and Server 2003 (with value Installed=1 is string). Start Regedit, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center/Ident make sure it's 3.0.If not try to change it manually. Restart and try reinstalling update rollup 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 All what i needed was to install .net framework.Now...how i'm searching how to make the button on hp remote work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) All what i needed was to install .net framework.Now...how i'm searching how to make the button on hp remote work. First congrats for (almost) 100% perfect and working Windows Xp MCE 2005. Yeah it's one the biggest issue for any converted/non OEM (original) version of Xp MCE 2005 (since MCE 2005 itself was "the most special MS OS ever" that only available as OEM version/with 3rd party hardware and software support, actually no retail version (legal) ever except one for MSDN subscriber). This is one of some online documentations about it with the solution: http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/archive/200...02/4708091.aspx . If not work, you could use Everghost: a MCE plug in which could be found on http://sourceforge.net/ . But too bad seems that is not available anymore (you still can google it). Maybe you could update the driver to make the Remote working.=======================================================================================Edit again: Seems that i also have to add this explanation here and to the first post above for some other people (Wincert members and visitors) who may be reading it here: Unlike Vista while Media Center is 100% application-based feature (it's only available on Premium and Ultimate edition), Media Center in Xp is actually OS-based feature which only available in Xp MCE 2005 (that's why no "Vista MCE OS" like previously Xp MCE). It's official MS perspective which is not based on technical reasons though. That's why i/we are still able to port and create installer of MCE (Windows Media Center, as application) to non Xp MCE OS such as Xp Pro, Home, even Server 2003 (not tested yet by me though bcoz i don't have Server 2003 OS installed in PC/VM, but the code calculation is technically yes/very very possible). All can be done without converting the version to MCE (which is changing the OS EULA and license too), unlike the above and any most previous ways for MCE on Xp by other people. This method was founded by Rafael Rivera for first edition of Xp MCE (2002).So the main point is you won't meet "complicated and difficult" steps like above by using my Windows Media Center installer on Xp Pro/Home/Tablet PC/Non MCE, only for installing Windows Media Center application in the current OS, only in 2 minutes done for working MC (Media Center) instead. And it's uninstallable too. (you can even install it on your school or office computers lol). Yeah the main purpose is only to provide working MC in Xp Pro and Home, in the easiest and simplest way for most end users, especially for personal use and collective and for Windows Xp customization and enhancement only, just like Vista and Windows 7, in practical common use. However you can't update the app i.e in Windows update since it wont be recognized as MCE, still Xp Pro. Yeah again i only ported the app without converting the OS itself...However if you really seriously wanted to build a real Media Center system PCs and its multimedia environment and equipments, then would maybe better to convert Xp to real Xp MCE 2005 using any tools and efforts that available here or another place (i.e Ricktendo's MCE add on), or get the original/genuine one since the OS was really special designed and optimized by MS for that, not only the MC app. And it would be always updated + all technical based features (although only the converted version not officially supported by MS and third parties/partners). Or maybe just buy Vista Premium/Ultimate (or later Windows 7) with later MCE version. But hey Xp MCE version is more than good enough for people and me, it would be supported by MS and partners until 2014, longer than Vista Premium! And most Xp driver would be available until the same date too usually (even often i can still see Windows 98 drivers for some new middle class hardware beside Xp (and 2000) and Vista versions). I will keep my genuine Xp until the time, and make dual-triple boot with other OSes (like Windows 7) on all my own machines and office. Sorry for my dirty and bad English here but hopefully clear for you all...Follow your heart and mind...Finally, Long live Xp! Always! Cya... :thumbsup_anim: Edited March 22, 2009 by AMIRZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max-kun Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 So...Media Center itself works,and i found the quick play...now...only to make those damn buttons work.P.s.Thx for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMIRZ Posted March 20, 2009 Author Share Posted March 20, 2009 (edited) So...Media Center itself works,and i found the quick play...now...only to make those damn buttons work.P.s.Thx for the help.No problem. I'm happy to hear it finally works for you mate . Try some guide in the above link first. I'll try to PM my friend on WinMatrix later to get EverGhost MCE plug in. If he still has it and replies, i'll also PM you soon. Anyway good luck Edit: Also don't forget to try updating the drivers too. Edited March 20, 2009 by AMIRZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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