Building a BETTER 8.1 Media Center....discussion

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DavidinCT

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#21

Post by DavidinCT » Fri Dec 28, 2018 6:18 pm

DjFourmoney wrote: Wed Dec 26, 2018 5:35 am I am looking to upgrade from W7 to W8.1 now. Like you said you can buy the activation codes from used computers on Ebay.

You need 8.1 professional correct? That way you can to the Windows Store and download WMC?

I do use a cable card and Spectrum encrypts everything
The ONLY way to do it now as I understand... As it appears you can license it but, you cant download it any more. Find a ISO with Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center. Normally they will have install keys. This is a big one. Install with a fake Media Center key, this will enable Media Center and INSTALL THE FILES FOR WMC. After it boots up, of course Actitation will fail, Change the KEY to your legal 8.1 pro with WMC key. Activation will be successful and you will have WMC.

I needed to find it on a Torrent site...just make sure any activation HACKS are not pre-installed....
-Dave
Twitter @TheCoolDave

Windows Media Center certified and WMC MVP 2010 - 2012

montybug

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#22

Post by montybug » Thu Mar 07, 2019 1:22 am

DavidinCT wrote: Fri Dec 28, 2018 6:18 pm
I needed to find it on a Torrent site...just make sure any activation HACKS are not pre-installed....
Did you find a good torrent? I'm about to venture down the 8.1 migration route.

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DavidinCT

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#23

Post by DavidinCT » Fri Mar 08, 2019 7:45 pm

montybug wrote: Thu Mar 07, 2019 1:22 am
DavidinCT wrote: Fri Dec 28, 2018 6:18 pm
I needed to find it on a Torrent site...just make sure any activation HACKS are not pre-installed....
Did you find a good torrent? I'm about to venture down the 8.1 migration route.
Due to torrents carrying cracks to pirate Windows 8.1 with WMC, I can not post a link to any of them. That would be illegal.

I did do some tests and doing a search in google for Windows 8.1 with WMC torrent came back with some results...

Make sure you know where your going... Questionable sites could come up.

Mods are you ok (I know this is very questionable) if I find a 8.1 ISO with WMC that comes with an Install key ? The user would NEED to add their own WMC key to be able to use it...

I will not do it unless I have permission from the mods... and I still need to look for it...

To be honest with you... Find/buy a Windows 8.1 PRO key... Install 8.1... Download the Windows 10 WMC installer (the newest version) and you have the same thing that you have by getting a WMC key..with more features.. It would be much easier...
-Dave
Twitter @TheCoolDave

Windows Media Center certified and WMC MVP 2010 - 2012

grinchy

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#24

Post by grinchy » Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:16 am

It's been a while since I've had to mess with my W7 WMC setup but I've moved into a virtualized setup that's essentially working but am stuck with Win8.1 Pro and no WMC license that I can actually purchase.

I installed WMC 8.8.2 on a fresh Win 8.1 installation - went fine. WMC is essentially working, but when I configure my xbox360 extenders, I'm getting some access denied exceptions when the mcx profile is being created (yes, ran install as admin successfully).

Is there something I'm missing here in order for 360 extenders to work with WMC 8.8.2 on Windows 8.1 Pro?

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DavidinCT

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#25

Post by DavidinCT » Mon Apr 29, 2019 2:17 am

grinchy wrote: Wed Apr 10, 2019 4:16 am It's been a while since I've had to mess with my W7 WMC setup but I've moved into a virtualized setup that's essentially working but am stuck with Win8.1 Pro and no WMC license that I can actually purchase.

I installed WMC 8.8.2 on a fresh Win 8.1 installation - went fine. WMC is essentially working, but when I configure my xbox360 extenders, I'm getting some access denied exceptions when the mcx profile is being created (yes, ran install as admin successfully).

Is there something I'm missing here in order for 360 extenders to work with WMC 8.8.2 on Windows 8.1 Pro?
There is a fix for that but, off the top of my head I forget. You need to spend a little time on MDL forum about WMC for WIndows 10. I know there is a fix for it, I just dont remember what it was.
-Dave
Twitter @TheCoolDave

Windows Media Center certified and WMC MVP 2010 - 2012

williaml99

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#26

Post by williaml99 » Thu Jun 27, 2019 2:01 am

Great discussion guys.

I started with WMC XP. Had the CDs through MS Action Pack subscription. Read many informative posts from author of this thread through the years.

Two and a half years ago I bought a couple of Intel NUC. Built 2 WMC windows 7. One for Wife and one for me. She gave up hers and just does streaming. I am still addicted with a couple of HD Homerun w/cable cards. All my 8.1 WMC were the free upgrade. I did the WMC windows 10 thing for a while and got tired of that fight. Use windows 10 for all non WMC stuff. Sorry for all the history crap. I like DavidinCT idea of building a WMC 8.1 and installing the windows 10 WMC. My question is, would I install with exact instructions as windows 10 or do you think it would be any different procedure. Been a while since I did that. As I remember there was a few steps involved. I have media from MS and my old Action Pack 8.1 keys for windows.

FYI
Been using the EPG123 on two machines for a couple years without a hitch.

Thanks
Bill

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