Windows Media Center and domains

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Don - 26 Sep 2006 16:40 GMT

I'm looking at Win Media Center to fullful a combination of needs. But I need
to know;

1) Are there are any problems with using WMC in a domain environment?

2) Can a SQL app run on a WMC workstation and access a SQL DB across a domain?

Thanks in advance.
Don

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Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media] - 26 Sep 2006 18:51 GMT

>I'm looking at Win Media Center to fullful a combination of needs. But I need
>to know;
>
>1) Are there are any problems with using WMC in a domain environment?
>
>2) Can a SQL app run on a WMC workstation and access a SQL DB across a domain?

This sounds like a rather odd combination of requests - but to confirm
I *believe* the only major missing piece of WM Center is that it can't
be attached to a domain, though people on the Green Button websit emay
have found workarounds. So, probably not.

Other than that it's pretty much standard XP (home ?) under the hood.
If it's XP home, I'd also consider it accidental that it can run SQL
server, since XP Home isn't a server OS by any stretch.

I reckon your best chance is to install XP Pro and Dual Boot that
machine with Media Center, if you intend to do server-y stuff and
seperately run a general entertainment machine out of hours.

HTH
Cheers - Neil
------------------------------------------------
Digital Media MVP : 2004-2006
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpfaqs

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Don - 26 Sep 2006 21:39 GMT

Hey Neil,

Yep your right on the odd request. Unfortunately I'm just looking to add one
of my users needs. Frankly, I didn't think the WMC would do the domain/SQL
thing, but I had to throw it out there.

With regards to the SQL, we're not looking to run SQL server on the WMC,
just run an app that reaches out to a server that's hosting the SQL DB.
Notwithstanding, it doesn't matter since WMC will not talk domain.

Thanks for the quick feedback,
Don

> >I'm looking at Win Media Center to fullful a combination of needs. But I need
> >to know;
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> Digital Media MVP : 2004-2006
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpfaqs

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Neil Smith [MVP Digital Media] - 27 Sep 2006 19:12 GMT

Update : Wikipedia notes this issue, under Versions : "This version
also removes the ability for a MCE computer to join an Active
Directory domain."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_Media_Center_Edition

However the linked hack appears to suggest this can be overcome :
http://www.tss2000.nl/vbforum/showthread.php?t=50

The specific MS documentation on this is here :
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/887212/EN-US/

HTH
Cheers - Neil

>Hey Neil,
>
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>> Digital Media MVP : 2004-2006
>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpfaqs

------------------------------------------------
Digital Media MVP : 2004-2006
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpfaqs

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Don - 29 Sep 2006 02:51 GMT

Neil,

Thanks for the outstanding links. I can say with confidence that they will
be used.

Thanks,
Don

> Update : Wikipedia notes this issue, under Versions : "This version
> also removes the ability for a MCE computer to join an Active
[quoted text clipped - 52 lines]
> Digital Media MVP : 2004-2006
> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/mvpfaqs

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