Windows XP or Media Center or Vista?

I am preparing to have my computer loaded with a new OS. I currently am using Windows XP Pro, and may use the same again. I would like to use the Media Center edition since I will be utilizing my system a great deal for photos and music. Will the new Vista load on top of XP Pro and/or Media Center? Let me know your recommendations.

 

I can't speak from experience, as I haven't used Vista yet. Its too early. Honestly, there probably very few people who could answer this from experience.

However, Microsoft has given the ability to install over OS' in the past, and I haven't any reason to believe that they won't allow it with Vista (bad business for them!) But, as with OS' in the past, a fresh install is probably your best bet!

What I would recommend to you is that you partition your hard drive. Create a small partition to install windows on, and a larger one to store your files. That way, you can virus scan, defragment, or even format the system partition quickly, all without ever disturbing your data.

 

Thank you very much for your answer! I am probably going to need someone to walk me through the steps for setting up my external drive. How do I load the Windows on the drive, then partition? Can I set up to do a daily back-up every day when I shut down?

 

Any machine that is capable of running Windows MCE, will at this time be able to run Vista Basic, but possible they could run Vista Premium. The specs for Vista so far have been stated as:

1Ghz or better Processor,
512mb or better RAM,
64mb or better GPU,
40Gb or better Hard drive.

Right now, it is not known as to what machine specs are needed to run Vista, so most people are sticking with XP until EOL.

 

The Conference call we had for the Microsoft Field Service Rep's really did not have much more to say, then what is at the Vista page. As for Aero, it is being suggested that 128mb is needed for the GPU to even be able to start showing any Aero or WDDM features.

I started to get questions asked from employees at the stores I visited yesterday while doing service calls about Vista, and any other info.

 

I have made several posts asking everyone's favorite this or that. But I have not actively participated in a forum like this before (I am beginning to enjoy it!) and I would like feedback on what others are doing. When reading what knowledgeable folks write to help the less skilled, (like myself) I can't help but ask what OS, what programs, what sites, etc., they use.
So, please tell me what OS are you using? Which ones seem to be the most troublesome? What alternatives have you found, and utilized? Thnks again for all of the help!

 

A clean install is the way to go as Vista uses a new bootloader that tolerates boot.ini. As to MCE

From InformationWeek.

 

Actually it is four flavors. Vista Starter, and I do believe Ultimate are dropped from the lineup.

 

Thanks for the replies. I have been around computers since high school. My Data Processing class consisted of typing up punch cards to send to dispatch and then await my run to be printed. (Am I dating myself?) The OS's available to us now are marvels of technology and old timers like myself should appreciate the availability of PCs to enrich our lives.

To get off of the podium and back to the subject at hand, I am going to load XP Media Center. I have quite a bit of upscale stereo and TV equipment I will tie into and I will make a post in the near future of what happens.

I am a slow installer, so I will be absent a day or so. Thnks..............

 

Go windows xp Porfessional. I've tried Windows mce 2005, it had some cool features but mostly just had stuff that ate up memory and did nothing.

 

Please explain, due to MCE eats up no more then XP, unless you are running too many applications for your system to be able to function with. Nominal memory is 512mb, but 1gb is needed if you are running four or more applications and not wanting to worry about system slowdown.