Windows XP MCE - unstable?

Track Nine

Note: there's a summary at the end for those not wishing to read the full background.

Background on the issue: A relative has recently gone out and bought themself a new laptop running XP Media Center Edition and subsequently I've been called in as the free family PC tech support after they've run into some problems.

The problem is, this Laptop manages to lock up whenever we try to install anything.

Installed Nero and the system locked up.
Tried to install the printer and the system locked up.
Tried to install the software for their phone - system locked up.
Tried to install some games and the damn thing locked up.

The system seemingly hates having anything installed on it. I could only get the phone installed by installing each component individually from the device manager. Same with the printer (which came with the system).

Now, the relative in question is entirely new to PC's, so naturally they need something at least modestly reliable and certainly not as unstable as this seems to be.

The system was promptly taken back to the vendor, who likewise encountered the endless lockups when trying to install programs, but after getting only 1 of 8 installed declared it was just part and parcel of XP MCE and (tried to) wash their hands of it.

Surely, there's no way the OS should be this unstable. I could understand compatibility issues with a few older programs, but this thing seems to have probs with 99% of anything thrown at it.

The vendor's tech guy (and I use the label very loosely) tried with the store display unit of the same laptop and got the same lockups.


After some intervention on my part, we now have the option of exchnaging the system for another laptop - the problem is, it seems any other decent laptop the vendor has is running MCE too...

tl;dr - Got laptop. Laptop uses XP MCE. laptop crashes when trying to install anything. Problem being blamed on MCE compatibility.

So the question - Is XP Media center edition really this unstable?, and given then limited chance of getting a XP pro/home sys, are we likely to get the same probs on a different laptop useing the same OS?.

neth

I run MCE on 2 different desktops that are used for gaming and serving files/movies across xbox 360's and none of them have experienced lock ups on installations. perhaps there is some sort of software conflict with the pre-installed stuff. Try formatting and just reinstalling windows and see what happens.

Track Nine

Can't format, as far as I'm aware that would leave us in an unfavorable position with regard to the warranty on the system.

I also tried disabling Norton (evil) and going through the other common troublemakers but we still ended up with the same run of crashes on the system.

It's annoying because I can't fathom why the system is this unstable. Even inserting the disk for the printer software causes it to freeze. unfortunately my advice wasn't sought before buying the system and now I've got to sort the mess out.
As I mentioned, I've manged to pursuade the vendor to exchange the system, but it seems MCE is installed on just about every laptop availible.

tony_important

how recent was the purchase?

Perhaps you could exchange, citing a major problem with installing programs. At least, you might be able to get who ever sold the laptop to fix it. Like you said, it's got a warranty.

Additionally, I'm running MCE, and I've had no issues at all with installing programs/printers/games.

maybe there's something wrong with the laptop itself?

Track Nine

Yeah, an exchange is possible, but all their equivalent model laptops are running MCE too.

Unfortunately, we've already taken the router of trying to get the vendor's "tech support" to fix the issue, and all the guy managed to do was replicate the issue, declare their was a problem, deny there was a problem and then claim it was something my relative would ahve to live with..

To quote the guy:

"Well, do you really think you're going to need to install any more programs on the system?, you shouldn't really need to"


Still, it seems both you and neth have stable systems running, so the likelyhood of it being specific to MCE is declining considerably.

I have hunted around the net, and there are a few reported compatibility issues with certain programs, but nothing to the extent I've seen with this particular system.

Ruckus

It's probably not XP MCE.

All the versions of Windows XP (Home, Pro, and MCE) use pretty much the same system files, they really only vary in what additional components are available (for Professional you get stuff like the ability to add it to a domain, IIS servers, etc, Media Center pretty much just adds the Media Center components).

This sounds more like a problem with either bad RAM (though that usually presents a bluescreen, but not always) or out of date drivers (specifically problems with the chipset drivers is where I'd start).

You can check the RAM by downloading Memtest86, burning it to a bootable CD and booting the computer from it. Updated system drivers will be available on the Manufacturer website, usually you can find them with the model or serial number off the back of the laptop.

[Edit]Addendum: Most major brands of laptop include a graphic on the box and/or a corner of the laptop (near the touchpad) indicating that they are Microsoft Windows XP certified. This means that subsystems used in the laptop have been tested with Windows XP and are known to work properly.

stigweard

The Guy wrote:

"Well, do you really think you're going to need to install any more programs on the system?, you shouldn't really need to"

At that point, I'd be returning the laptop for a refund. If that is the level of service they can expect, they should do business elsewhere. They probably can't though, so it is time to test out the major components. As mentioned above, the place to start is memtest86+ (you want version 1.65, not the 3.x versions as they are actually older). Then try something like prime95 to test the cpu and cpu / ram combo. If you can run without getting errors for a few days, things should be pretty stable. You can test the hdd by checking what brand it is in the device manager and then downloading a testing utility from the appropriate manufacturer.

If they all pass, it could be a problem with the install. You could try a repair install if they gave you a cd, or a system restore if it is only an image. The problem is, some system restore images are corrupted from the start and you are essentially screwed. You'd have to contact the manufacturer and get them to send you a new hdd with a new image on it and return the old one.

Blake T

I'd say try and get your money back or take it back and ask him to format it and give you a clean install.

Do your friends even need MCE? As I understand while it wont crash your system it does slow it down by including all those fancy pants media streaming and what not capabilities.

Track Nine

Well, Just wanted to give you all an update on this thing.

In the end I had to step in and phone the company's main office rather than let goons keep fobbing my relative off by acting like tech snobs and making him feel small and moronic for raising a valid issue.

Long story short, got someone there (main office) to call the local branch manager and ensure the issue would corrected next time my relative went in to sort it out. Relative, subsequently had store staff waiting for him when he went back and was offered an apology and either a refund, replacement or exchange.

In the end he got a better tech, who took the time to check the sys and actually talked and listened to him.

My relative opted to try taking a replacement and after bringing it to me to check over, it seems the system doesn't have the same issues.

My guess is the original system had a hardware issue - probably memory.

I've also had a chance to look a bit more into MCE and it seems that despite being a tad bloated it really is little more than XP pro with a few bits taken out and some media apps in its place. I just wasn't sure what to make of it since I've never had reason to look any further into it.

So, thanks for the help gents, it's much appreciated.