The CenterStage Project was founded in January 2005 by Neil Curry. In May 2008, Elan Fieldgold, who was working on the Mac OS X port of XBMC, left the XBMC project and started a new project called Plex. On July 13, 2008 Plex and CenterStage projects announced that they had teamed up, with Plex developers focusing on backend and the CenterStage developers working on the GUI. The new Media Center is still under development and currently only an alpha version of Plex is available.

Freevo

Freevo started up in 2002, and, as with the majority of other Media Centers, basic functions provided can be extended by plug-ins. Freevo is written in Python, which makes it easy for users to develop new plug-ins. This may also be the reason why many plug-ins are discontinued. Various plug-ins are bundled with Freevo, and they just need to be activated. Freevo offers so many plug-ins that it is almost impossible to know and use them all. Freevo runs on Linux, but there are reports of users using it on Mac and Windows too, though a certain degree of expertise is required to install it.

MediaPortal

MediaPortal is an XBMC fork started up in February 2004 by Erwin Beckers (also known as Frodo), who was actually one of the founders of XBMC in its early days. MediaPortal is built on the Microsoft .NET framework using C#, and supports a plug-in system and a skin engine allowing users to extend the base software. In 2006, MediaPortal released the “TV server.” For the first time users can now use multiple frontends for viewing and recording TV streamed from 1 or more TV servers.

My Media System

The project My Media System (mms) was started as “Mpeg Menu System” in the summer of 2002 by Anders Rune Jensen. After a half year of development, mms was rewritten in late 2002, and mmsv2 was released in January 2003. After four years, it was time for a new name, since mms had grown out of its mpeg-only output starting point and into a full media system. The new name, My Media System, was selected with overall consensus from the forum’s users. Versions prior to 1.1.0 do not support plug-ins.

MythTV

The MythTV project was started up in April 2002 by Isaac Richards. In early 2007 a book called “Practical MythTV” about MythTV and its installation was published. During this time, MythTV grew considerably, and is still growing today, supported by a very active community. There are several other projects which include a Linux distribution bundled with MythTV (“all-in-one” solutions) to make the installation, configuration and maintenance easier and faster. MythTV has a modular structure, so that what can’t be found in default modules is probably available using unofficial plug-ins.

Boxee

Boxee is a cross-platform freeware media center based on XBMC. Boxee includes social networking features enabling users to view, rate and recommend content to friends.

MythBuntu

Based on Ubuntu and MythTV, MythBuntu is designed to simplify the installation of MythTV on a Home Theater PC. It can be used to install a standalone frontend, backend, or combination of the two. All unnecessary standard Ubuntu applications such as OpenOffice, Evolution, and a full Gnome desktop are not installed for MythBuntu. Users who wish to do so can add a full desktop onto their installation after using the control panel. The development cycle of MythBuntu closely follows that of Ubuntu, with releases occurring every six months, approximately two weeks after Ubuntu releases.

KnoppMyth

KnoppMyth has been around since August 2003. It is a blend of Knoppix and MythTV. It is a Debian-based operating system using Knoppix configuration scripts and Knoppmyth-specific scripting that installs and configures the MythTV PVR software and a number of add-ons. Similar to MythBuntu and MythDora, the goal is to make the often complex installation and configuration of a MythTV-based Linux Home Theater PC system relatively easy and pain-free. KnoppMyth can also run directly from a LiveCD (i.e. without installation), providing there is a network connection to a PC with a ‘complete installation’ (a MythTV backend server).

MythDora

MythDora is a GNU/Linux distribution based on Fedora and MythTV. Like KnoppMyth and MythBuntu, MythDora is designed to simplify the installation of MythTV on a Home Theater PC. Unlike KnoppMyth, however, it does not run as a LiveCD yet. The work on a LiveCD is in progress at the time of this writing. Currently, the distribution must be installed on the computer in order to run. The project started in early 2004 as a pet project, with no real intention of going public.

MiniMyth

The MiniMyth project was initiated in 2003. It is a small GNU/Linux distribution that turns a diskless computer into a MythTV frontend. Originally, MiniMyth was developed to download and boot the root file system over the network, and run on VIA EPIA motherboards. It now supports local boot, runs in several new chipsets, and supports more MythTV plug-ins. MiniMyth was developed to run on a diskless computer. As a result, MiniMyth runs with its entire compressed file system resident in memory, thus requiring more memory than a typical MythTV frontend.

XMBC

XBMC initiated in 2002 under the name “Xbox Media Player” (XBMP); it was renamed XBMC a year later, since it was growing out of its “player” name and into a “center” for media playback. It runs on Linux, Mac, Windows, Xbox console and Apple TV. The Xbox version of XBMC has the ability to launch console games. XBMC is not produced, endorsed, or supported by Microsoft or any other vendor. As a result, XBMC for the Xbox console requires a modchip or softmod exploit to run. Apple TV also needs a patch in order to run XBMC. XBMC is a very mature Media Center project, and Boxee, Plex and MediaPortal are all forks from the XBMC project.

Neuros OSD

The result of a spin-off from Digital Innovations in December of 2003, Neuros Technology is a private company selling Neuros OSD, a set-top box running an Open Source firmware based on Linux. The next generation (Neuros OSD2.0) is part of the “Neuros Open Internet Television Platform”, a system aimed to bring the freedom of the internet to the people’s living rooms. It is almost ready for shipping, and will support HD.

LinuxMCE

LinuxMCE is also a Media Center. The best definition would be it is a Smart Home Entertainment Center. LinuxMCE started in mid 2006, initially as a fork of the PlutoHome system from Pluto Inc. to Ubuntu. It bundles MythTV with Kubuntu as the GNU/Linux distribution. It can perform light and climate control, manage home security systems with alarms and stream video to a mobile phone. It blends media center, home automation, telecom control and home security into a single unified user experience. Users can (optionally) control the user interface with a Gyro remote and 3 command buttons. Any peripheral connected replicates across to the entire house, and any media is also available house-wide. Presence detection is also available, and can be implemented with either Bluetooth or RFID technologies, to implement "Follow Me" functionality, so that media, lights, climate, and telecom follow the user throughout the house.

GeeXboX

With a tiny 8 megabyte ISO, GeeXboX can boot from a CD, USB stick, or the network and run totally in RAM. It comes with a utility called ‘generator,’ which allows for the customization of GeeXboX discs, including the possibility of adding custom media files, non-free codecs, extra themes and configuring a wide range of custom settings. GeeXboX can run on diskless computers, and there is an alpha version for the Nintendo Wii console. The project was started in 2002; by 2006 the GeeXboX and Freevo projects decided to work together, redefining a multimedia framework that could be used either as a standalone application on any GNU/Linux distribution or natively built-in with the GeeXboX project.

See the Technet article on installing Windows SP3. Note that they recommend having WinXP SP2 installed before installing SP3.

From the TechNet Forum:

“Today we are happy to announce that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) has released to manufacturing (RTM). Windows XP SP3 bits are now working their way through our manufacturing channels to be available to OEM and Enterprise customers.

We are also in the final stages of preparing for release to the web (i.e. you!) on April 29th, via Windows Update and the Microsoft Download Center. Online documentation for Windows XP SP3, such as Microsoft Knowledge Base articles and the Microsoft TechNet Windows XP TechCenter, will be updated then. For customers who use Windows XP at home, Windows XP SP3 Automatic Update distribution for users at home will begin in early summer.

Thanks to everyone here who installed the public betas – you not only gave us detailed feedback but also helped each other out with timely troubleshooting. Through the beta program we found several important issues and were able to confirm some essential fixes. We couldn’t have done this without you.

We will still be monitoring this forum during the next few weeks in case you have more feedback about the release of Windows XP SP3.

On behalf of myself, Shashank Bansal and Windows Serviceability, many thanks.

Chris Keroack
Release Manager, Windows XP Service Pack 3
Windows Serviceability”

Techmixer has links to WinXP SP3 for different languages, German, Japanese, French, Russian and Chinese.

How to re-install the .NET Framework 1.1

1. Remove the .NET Framework 1.1
   1. Download the Microsoft Windows Installer Cleanup Utility and install it.
   2. Run it from Start > All Programs > Windows Installer Clean Up
   3. Select .NET Framework 1.1 from the list and click Remove
2. Download and install the .NET Framework 1.1 Redistributable
3. Download and install .NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1. Ignore the message saying it is already installed, go ahead and reinstall it.
4. Download and install .NET Framework 1.1 SP1 Security Update (KB928366). Reboot when asked to.

If this doesn’t work for you, here are additional instructions for repairing .NET version 1.1, 2.0 and 3.0.

Repair .NET Framework 1.1 (method 2)

• Try the knowledgebase article How to troubleshoot Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 installation issues http://support.microsoft.com/kb/824643
• The msizap.exe utility in step 4 of the article is included in the Windows Installer Software Development Kit for XP and Vista. During installation, select not to install the documentation and samples to avoid downloading 1GB of unnecessary files. (I selected only Visual C++ Compilers and Win32 and .NET Development Tools which came to 32MB)
• Unregister and then reregister Windows Installer (See article)
• Download/install/use:
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=7A4EFC33-0343-4EE4-B0C4-97BD16967A09&displaylang=en
• Manually remove and then reinstall the .NET Framework 1.1 (See Article)
  For the articles below, follow the “IT professionals” link and find the download for your OS.
  - Download/Install http://support.microsoft.com/kb/867460/
  - Download/Install http://support.microsoft.com/kb/886903/
  - Download/Install http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928366/
• Reboot as needed and at the end.

Repair .NET Framework 2.0

• How to troubleshoot Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 installation issues
  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/908077/
• Unregister and then reregister Windows Installer (See article)
• Manually remove and then reinstall the .NET Framework 2.0 (See Article)
  For the articles below, follow the “IT professionals” link and find the download for your OS.
  - Download/Install http://support.microsoft.com/kb/917283/
  - Download/Install http://support.microsoft.com/kb/922770/
  - Download/Install http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928365/
• Reboot as needed and at the end.

Repair .NET Framework 3.0

• Unfortunately there does not appear to be any particular article pertaining to .NET Framework 3.0. I have not had issues with this version, however just going into the Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs and locating and removing it and its patches should be enough to get rid of it. I suggest you do the same and then reboot…
• Download and re-install using this distributable package:
  http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=10CC340B-F857-4A14-83F5-25634C3BF043&displaylang=en
• Reboot as needed.

Cleanup your updates system…

• Get Dial-a-Fix from http://wiki.djlizard.net/Dial-a-fix
• Use its options to fix:
  - Windows Installer
  - Windows Update
  - All the Registration Center options
• Turn off the “Empty System32\Catroot 2″
  Do NOT do “Flush SoftwareDistribution”.
• Then click “GO”… May take a while.
• Reboot when it is done…

Install Updates

• Visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and scan for updates.
• Choose the critical updates you need and install them. Do not bother getting hardware updates (unless you happen to have some Microsoft hardware installed) and “Optional Updates” are *usually* just what the name infers – but feel free to see if you want any of the “Optional” ones.
• Come back here and let us know how you came out…

The the issue is that microsoft left out some info in the system hive so you need to edit it and add back the missing info.

To fix this problem, edit the Hivesys.inf file in your Windows XP distribution, and add the following missing statement after the HKLM,”SYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlNetworkProviderHwOrder”,,0×00000012 line:


HKLM,”SYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlNetworkProviderOrder”,,0×00000012


This will allow you to do installs from t-12 and t-13 since the rest of the networking is up and running.

http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=35750&st=30#

It works, but only under specific conditions:

It does not work when I try to connect using: net use \10.0.0.152dist /user:unattended unattended.

But when I try net use \10.0.0.152dist enter and then type unattended and password unattended, then it does work!

net use : \ /user: [] /persistent:no

this works:
net use \10.0.0.152dist unattended /user:10.0.0.152unattended

For the paranoid, I’d recommend installing AVG antivirus and ZoneAlarm firewalls from CD, so that you are protected before you even connect to the internet.

More free deleters at http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/system/fwdiskclean.html

PDF995 from http://www.pdf995.com/ also lets you create PDF files for free. It creates files slightly smaller and easier to read than CutePDF, but you have to install Free Converter too, and it popups ads in your browser when you use it.

Open the registry editor and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Options\Mail
right click on the right pane and choose new DWORD:

Parameter: SaveAllMIMENotJustHeaders
Value: 0×00000001

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\10.0\Outlook\Preferences]

“MinToTray”=dword:00000001