Problem with new install of XP Media Center Edition

[tanner431]

Hi folks hope someone can point me in the right direction. I was given a Packard Bell Imedia 1529 by my father in law on which the hard drive died. No problem I thought I went and put in a Samsung spinpoint 750 gb hard drive. I then tried installing xp home edition on it and it is now a stripey screen and display is all ghost like. My father in law had no discs with it (bought from Currys in 2006). I tried to install netgear wireless on to it, but it wont, just hanging after threequarters of install.

Do I need drivers for it? Or where can I get a copy of the XP Media Center Edition, either free, or inexpensively. What is the best way forward?

Thanks for any help.

Mike.

[KenB]

Hi Mike

 

You have me confused.

 

and it is now a stripey screen and display is all ghost like.

 

I doubt that this is anything to do with the install.

It sounds like video card to me.

 

I then tried installing xp home edition on it

 

I tried to install netgear wireless on to it,

 

If you couldn't install XP on it - how could you install the netgear software ??

 

When you switch on - what is happening now ?

 

The XP version that you have - is it installed on another system ?

[tanner431]

Hi Ken, yes sorry, not clearly put. I installed xp home edition, but it doesnt display clearly, but does work. I then thought I would connect to internet to upload drivers that it might need. I am already running the xp home edition on this pc. I have disconnected the media center pc.

[KenB]

I installed xp home edition, but it doesnt display clearly

If you constantly tap F8 about once per second after switching on you should see the Advanced Start-up Options.

 

Select Safe Mode

 

Do the graphics look any better - they will be grainy and not sharp.

The screen should not be stripey.

 

With a new install of XP the graphics usually do look a bit odd because the chipset drivers need to be installed.

 

I have disconnected the media center pc.

I thought we were working on the media center pc ?

I was given a Packard Bell Imedia 1529

[tanner431]

Hi Ken, where would I find the chipset drivers? Also would all the drivers needed for the media center be readily available to download? I will try starting in safe mode to see what happens.

Thanks.

[tanner431]

Right, have restarted in safe mode but no difference, still striped screen.

[KenB]

Have you checked the video cable connections and if you have a video card take that out and clean the contacts with a pencil eraser and re-seat.

This may fix the poor graphics.

 

See here for system drivers

http://www.packardbell.co.uk/pb/en/GB/content/download

[Plastic Nev]

Sorry to butt in Ken, but-

 

I am already running the xp home edition on this pc.

 

If that means the disk is the operating system on your original computer, that is not legal to install it on another, plus you will eventually have a message that it is not a genuine copy of XP as it is already registered to your present computer. After that you will find you have very limited use of the computer.

 

I suggest you first obtain a new and not previously used XP disk, you can still get them with a bit of a search, and install that. Until you do install a legitimate version of Windows XP or other operating system, we may be left in a position where we cannot help any further. Rules I am afraid.

 

Nev.

[tanner431]

Hi Nev, the copy of xp on my primary pc is a seperate copy of xp(I have two copies of genuine xp, verified and authenticated) and am using the other one for my media center, as I am having difficulty locating a copy of xp media center edition. The Imedia came with xp already installed, and the authenication sticker attached to the side. I was wondering if there was a way of getting a replacement copy of the xp media center edition, as I am already licenced for that pc?

I have downloaded the drivers from the Packard Bell site, thanks very much for that Ken, and will try them on the imedia this evening(away to work etc this morning).

I will let you know later Ken. Thanks for the heads up Nev.

Regards, Mike.

[KenB]

The Imedia came with xp already installed,

You would have had an option to delete this - otherwise you end up with 2 versions of XP on the machine.

 

As far as I am aware - you can install XP Home on an iMedia machine providing it is not installed on a second machine.

You would not be able to use the iMedia 25 character license for an XP Home installation you would need to use the one that came with the disk.

[tanner431]

Hi Ken, it is a new hhd in it (Samsung Spinpoint 750gb), so there would be no issue with two xp's on it?

[KenB]

so there would be no issue with two xp's on it?

I was trying to explain the message that you got.

If you elected to leave it - you would have installed a second version of XP on the same drive.

This is not an issue - just not usual.

 

What was the result of installing the drivers ?

[tanner431]

Hi Ken, yes I downloaded the drivers to a flash drive, then uploaded them to the media center, but the graphics driver would not install, saying there was too many characters for the filepath. However a friend of my wife is a bit of a techhie and has offered to take a look at it. I will let you know the outcome. I really appreiate the advice I have had from you guys, thankyou very much.

Regards, Mike.

[KenB]

Hi Mike

 

 

I hinted earlier re. Video Card / connection.

 

If you do have a card AND on-board video try taking the card out and using the on-board.

 

Let us know how you get on when your friend takes a look.

[tanner431]

H Ken, I will try that, thanks.