Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 Single Pack - OEM

Comments: Thought was great at first,have an asus k8n4-e deluxe, until i bought a 7800gtx ,cannot upgrade drivers for video card or my mother board,no support for this os version wnt_5.1p_mce , my advice if your into gaming DON'T BUY, I have to buy another os ,Should of stuck to windows xp home version

Comments: It works fine but there are some bugs that I can't get fixed. Drivers are a little different for it and regular XP. The features are cool that come with it. Like party mode and the new interface for media. Unless you are really into media I would just stick with regular XP.

Pros: I was a little skeptical about this software until I installed it. All my previous thought about windows are just that. This software rocks it is a very good platform and runs everything you would care to with no problems. Make sure that all the components that you choose for your box are Windows Media Compliant. Then enjoy all the the extra features included.

Cons: What about the networking! whats up with that?

Overall Review: Go For it! Runs great if you use windows media center approved components.

Comments: OK, it WILL work, but when it prompts you for the "service pack", you must reinsert disc 1-don't know why it's not on disc 2, but it isn't-reinsert disc 1. Works like a charm.

Pros: Just keeps os-ing, on and on and on. It has enough features for almost any new builds so far.

Cons: Microsoft updates seem to mess up older software like for my HP 6310 all-in-one printer, and my older 3Com webcam that worked on Win98.

Overall Review: I am going to partition my Primary Drive into five or more partitions to install and keep my operating systems starting with (1) Windows98SE and (2) WindowsXP MCE 2005; and then onto (3) Vista, (4-5) Windows 7 & 8 if I ever get them on a desktop. My techy-geek friend from back-in-the-day of early computing loaned me his Window 7, 3-user pack, that I loaded on a new second laptop drive on my Asus M70 VmX1 that came with Vista purchased here @ newegg.

Pros: The media center interface is actually very good. Easy to setup and record your favorite tv shows. Recordings have very good quality. Recordings are copy protected.

Cons: DRM!! way too restrictive. It seems with every update Microsoft adds more and more DRM protection. Digital Rights Management is very buggy. Shows your suppose to be able to watch will suddenly not play anymore giving a message saying this content is restricted!! Very frustrating. Go to microsoft website and they give you the run around on how to fix the problem. All suggested solutions did not work. Would have to reformat just to get the DRM back to normal. Not reinstalling again.

Overall Review: Do yourself a favor and use a standalone product for recording tv or any other media. I would suggest sticking to XP home or XP pro.

Pros: Great OS, Great Price and Great Service from the Egg. Unfortunately they'll probably sorrta force an upgrade to Vista MCE when the time comes :(

Cons: Regardless of version (OEM, Retail etc) I wish M$ would package OS Discs in Jewel Cases At Least

Comments: This NOT based on the XP core and does not have all of the XP functionality!! Do not purchase it thinking that it does! Also, it is a fresh install ONLY!!! You cannot use it to upgrade!!!!