I Have A Stupid Question

[willy4pres]

It's computer related. I want to know if I can use my copy of Windows XP Home and stick it on my new Gateway Laptop. I bought Windows XP Home for my old crappy computer and installed it (about 6 months ago). I will not be using the old computer so I figure I can take off the new computers Media Center Edition operating system and install my copy of Windows XP Home.

The only reason I want to do this is because my M-Audio Black Box doesn't support Windows Media Center Edition (I didn't know that until about ten minutes ago).

Im just concerned that using the product ID again on my new computer will screw me over with updates and stuff, im thinking it will.

I would appreciate some advice, thanks!

[Lightning Fingers]

The EULA states that you are allowed to have the OS on one computer. So, if you format your old computer's hard drive (be sure to backup personal files) and install the OS on your new computer, just do the activation and see what happens. Is Microsoft going to take the time to call you to find out if you have the OS on one computer? Probably not. If you still have doubts, contact Microsoft and tell them what you want to do.

[JCJanko]

The new Windows verification crap actually may make you call in to verify it's only on one computer. I had to do this 7 times last install. I know someone who has one copy of XP on 5 different systems. He just needed to call in each time and tell them it was only on one.

[cyberfiddl]

I also believe you are limited to 10 "verifications".

[twonabomber]

M-Audio doesn't have a patch available?

[willy4pres]

Nope, no patch. This is a bunch of crap actually, how can they not support Media Center!?

[FORD]

Nope, no patch. This is a bunch of crap actually, how can they not support Media Center!?

Maybe because Windows Media Center was specifically designed to be part of a "Home theater" video entertainment center setup and not a home recording studio, with musical instruments plugged in?

If you're planning on upgrading to Vista, you might want to look for the "Ultimate" edition, just to be on the safe side. It has the updated equivalents of both Media Center and Windows XP Professional.

[willy4pres]

Maybe because Windows Media Center was specifically designed to be part of a "Home theater" video entertainment center setup and not a home recording studio, with musical instruments plugged in?

If you're planning on upgrading to Vista, you might want to look for the "Ultimate" edition, just to be on the safe side. It has the updated equivalents of both Media Center and Windows XP Professional.

Thanks FORD!

I didn't even think about the Vista thing, if I stick my copy of XP Home on the new computer I wonder if I will have trouble when it comes time to get my free copy of Vista? This is a bunch of crap, I have been slowly putting this recording setup togethor and I had no way of knowing M-Audio doesn't support Media Center. I want this to work now, not weeks or months from now.

The computer came with Office 2003 (60 day trial version), I liked that because I wasn't going to get my new copy of Office 2003 Small Business for a while (buying a new unused one from my brother-inlaw for $50.00). Now if I wipe out that old OS and stick on the new one I won't have any MS Office at all (I always take a full load of online courses), that's not going to work.

This M-Audio crap has really screwed up my plans, and as everyone can see im not the most patient person with stuff like this.

I was thinking about running the computer with two operating systems. Does anyone know how stupid of an idea that is, im not kidding.

The sad thing about all this is that I used to be a System Admin when I was still in the Marine Corps. But that was all Unix based stuff, all this commercial software gives me a headache. They all have crazy names like Media Spirit Journey Reunion 8.5, which is completely different (probably in a more crappy way depending on who you talk to) then Media Spirit Sport Journey Reunion 8 (Redux). I don't know how all you computer savy people do it.

[FORD]

If you're a Unix system admin, then why aren't you running LINUX on your PC? I believe they even have some dedicated Linux distros written specifically for musical recording. Some of them come with their own hardware though, so I'm not sure if your existing equipment would work. Though if it uses a MIDI interface, I would think it's pretty standardized.

For that matter, the Mac OSX series is based on BSD (another Unix offshoot), so that might be an option for you, since a lot of artists and musicians swear that Mac is vastly superior when it comes to integration with musical hardware.

[willy4pres]

If you're a Unix system admin, then why aren't you running LINUX on your PC? I believe they even have some dedicated Linux distros written specifically for musical recording. Some of them come with their own hardware though, so I'm not sure if your existing equipment would work. Though if it uses a MIDI interface, I would think it's pretty standardized.

For that matter, the Mac OSX series is based on BSD (another Unix offshoot), so that might be an option for you, since a lot of artists and musicians swear that Mac is vastly superior when it comes to integration with musical hardware.

Unfortunately my wife uses this thing as much as I do. Anything other then Windows would be impossible for her to operate, at least that's what she tells me.

To be honest I never thought of running anything other then what comes with the computer, Unix never crossed my mind. I wonder how many computer based recording software programs support Unix?

[MikeL]

Probably not many. It's not a market that would seem viable.

Go ahead and wipe the thing out and install XP Home. You really can't hurt anything in doing that. Provided you've got a store-bought copy, you shouldn't have any problems. Sometimes manufacturers tie their Windows CDs to their hardware, which is a bit evil.

If things don't go well, just reinstall MCE. Better to spend a few hours and be happy with the risk of wasting those few hours than to be unhappy with your purchase and unable to use the computer how you want to use it.

[Lightning Fingers]

If you're serious about having two operating systems, install Windows and Linux. I'm slowly making the transition to Linux, but I will have Windows on another partition because the missus and the children don't want to make the switch. Here are a few multi-track hard disk recording software for Linux:

Slab

Ardour

Check their forums to find info about whether your M Audio Black Box works with these programs.

As well, try Fedora Core 6 or Mandriva. Personally, I like Fedora because it's free.

[voivod]

It's computer related. I want to know if I can use my copy of Windows XP Home and stick it on my new Gateway Laptop. I bought Windows XP Home for my old crappy computer and installed it (about 6 months ago). I will not be using the old computer so I figure I can take off the new computers Media Center Edition operating system and install my copy of Windows XP Home.

The only reason I want to do this is because my M-Audio Black Box doesn't support Windows Media Center Edition (I didn't know that until about ten minutes ago).

Im just concerned that using the product ID again on my new computer will screw me over with updates and stuff, im thinking it will.

I would appreciate some advice, thanks!

In zebraland there were midgets who rode the leprechaun...