MCE 2005 as Workstation

[G_K]

Hi folks,

I need to replace my aging workstation, which is a Dual P3-866 system with something of the times. In keeping with the budget I have need to cut some corners here and there when I spotted this gadget on sale and it gives me a lot of pause:

Ricavision Plix-Q from PC Club
http://www.pcclub.com/product_details.cfm?itemno=A5497001

Other than upping it's ram to at least a gig I can see this suiting what I do for the most part, which is coding with Visual Studio, moderate Photoshop work and some downtime with Enemy Territory/MOHAA/Rainbow6 3.

I am just not sure how different MCE 2005 is than XP Pro which I am used too for my workhorse. I like the idea that it will end up a quieter box. For the price this seems unbeatable but I wondered if anyone else has tried one of these and how it is.

Opinions anyone?

 

[sleepeeg3]

How on earth did you find that? Never heard of that...

Looks like a good deal for a full on media rig, but my three concerns would be 1. graphics card 2. RAM 3. MCE support. I believe MCE has a limited number of drivers and support.

 

[Lolento]

if you have XP Pro before, with MCE you will have less networking functions.

if you haven't have XP Pro before, it would not make a difference for you.

 

[G_K]

The ram is a DDR2 533 with 512mb on board. I don't know if it's in one chip or in two. The Video is on board but the box features a PCIe 16x slot as well as an additional PCI slot for expansion according to the thin info I have found.

I have to admit that I am looking at this to be a temporary workstation for myself while I gather the right components for a full dual core setup. My ancient P3, which was a backup machine concerns me because its so long on the tooth I know it's bound to fail soon.

This just looks like a hell of a deal to pass up, but I don't know enough about MCE 2005 to judge it per say.

In truth if I buy this the next piece of hardware will probably be a Dell 2007 FPW. After that I think an e6600 with at least a 7600GT will be the order of the day. So if basically I am looking at using this for a few months until my budget can afford a new box.

I am concerned on the comments I see about MCE not having the networking components of XP Pro. What is missing exactly?

 

[JustLong]

MCE 2005 is based on Pro with a few features disabled. While joining a domain isn't supported there are ways to get around that. Other than that it is basically Pro with a different default theme and a few extra services that can be disabled if you don't plan on using the media center features.

 

[Lolento]

... While joining a domain isn't supported there are ways to get around that...

that's interesting, how do you get around that?

also, you can password protect individual network folders on XP Pro but on MCE you can't, is there way to get around that too? it's a nifty function i like to have on MCE...

 

[IanG]

If you get actual windows installation CDs with it (instead of a backup-type disc) you can actually get XP Pro by formatting the drive and reinstalling windows. During the installation it will ask you to put in the second disc (which installs the MCE parts.) Don't put the disc in, hit cancel and setup will continue and in the end you'll have xp pro.

Of course you technically don't have a license for xp pro, but :eh:

 

[JustLong]

that's interesting, how do you get around that?

also, you can password protect individual network folders on XP Pro but on MCE you can't, is there way to get around that too? it's a nifty function i like to have on MCE...

I know of two ways, during the install you can join a domain, and afterward using these steps http://extended64.com/blogs/rafael/articles/404.aspx

As for your second question I have the same sharing options in mce that I do in XP pro. I just create a new share and only give specific users access. Make sure you uncheck "use file sharing wizard" on the View tab under Folder options.

 

[G_K]

I have read some software doesn't like MCE but it hasn't been identified. Does anyone know how the Adobe CS2 Suite behaves? I use Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop a fair bit.

Now that I think about it I doubt my tablet drivers will work. I will have to check on that too. I may be better off using one of my NFR copies of XP Pro I got at a tech conference for it.

We shall see.

 

[swatbat]

that's interesting, how do you get around that?

also, you can password protect individual network folders on XP Pro but on MCE you can't, is there way to get around that too? it's a nifty function i like to have on MCE...

Second part of the question I'm not sure about. As far as the domain thing goes you have 2 options. One is when you are installing it you can join a domain. The other way is to change the registry so it looks like you upgraded to media center. That way it will let you join a domain. FYI media center disk 1 is really a xp pro disk. Setup even says xp pro. When you give it the media center key it knows to ask for the second disk to pull the extra files. I've even used a media center disk for loading pro before.

One question about the folders thing. If you don't use guest so you have to put the other machines user name and password in your users group couldn't you just set the folder permissions so they couldn't access them? Not the same thing you wanted to do but it may work anyway.