Arch as a Media Center PC

I'm just now getting my beast of a desktop back up and running from a failed video card (overheated and fried, fan was bad).
It's a rather outdated Athlon XP 3200+, it's decked out nicely with 2 gigs ram and approximately 2.5TB of hard drive space (I'm a big file pack rat). 10/100/1000bT, wireless etc.etc.
I'm intending to can the OS which resides on a 30 GB Cheetah and turn this thing into a media center system. I've checked out things like GeexBox and Movix2 but I don't feel either one completely meets my needs as I also require functionality as a desktop environment when the occasion calls.
Any pointers/wikis/how-to's on molding arch into a system designed for such a task? Ideally it would be extremely lightweight (read as no gnome or KDE depends) and also to act as a fileserver for our little network.

OrionFyre wrote:
I'm just now getting my beast of a desktop back up and running from a failed video card (overheated and fried, fan was bad).
It's a rather outdated Athlon XP 3200+, it's decked out nicely with 2 gigs ram and approximately 2.5TB of hard drive space (I'm a big file pack rat). 10/100/1000bT, wireless etc.etc.
I'm intending to can the OS which resides on a 30 GB Cheetah and turn this thing into a media center system. I've checked out things like GeexBox and Movix2 but I don't feel either one completely meets my needs as I also require functionality as a desktop environment when the occasion calls.
Any pointers/wikis/how-to's on molding arch into a system designed for such a task? Ideally it would be extremely lightweight (read as no gnome or KDE depends) and also to act as a fileserver for our little network.
Hello,
Please try mythdora 5.0.
http://www.mythdora.com/?q=download
Even though it have gnome as its default Desktop U can install any light weight window manager. It have all the applications  for a media center  OS . If U want more packages, can install through "smart package manager" .
I think after installing basic packages of arch linux, the simple command  " pacman -S xorg xfce4 pvr " will install a lean and mean media center OS.
mvdvarrier

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    i am also working on my zotac-9300 itx. i also have the problem of get the right resolution. my tv was bought three years ago and i attached a hdmi cable to it in case some day (such as today) i will use it. however, the zotac hdmi does not work with the tv. either the tv does not detect the signal or the motherboard does not send the signal out. anyway, i use a dvi->hdmi adapter now. but the resolution is still not right. (will fix it later). the 9300 works great on h264, but somehow has trouble with the HD tv signal. although the cpu usage is low when playing those HD channels, but the frames are not smooth. i am using kaffeine to work tv. i am trying to get the vlc to work with vdpau (or vaapi) but has no luck. anyway, good to share our experience on htpc.
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  • Windows XP Media Center Edition FAQ

    What is a Media Center PC?
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    At the time of writing, XP MCE is only available as an OEM pack which you can purchase from your nearest dealer or online reseller, or if pre-installed on a purchased system. MCE is currently only available as a 32bit (x86) version, but works on 64bit systems.
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    Good links....
    Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 homepage
    The Green Button - very good MCE community forum
    MCESoft - for all sorts of plug-ins and extras for MCE
    XPMCE.com - Windows Media Center forums
    ukShazam.com - Media Center help & more
    Note: MSI is not responsible for the content of external links[/b]
    Look out for me in the XPMCE forums if you need further help!
    That's about it for now, hope you find it useful. As I think of (meaning "remember" ) other stuff I'll add it above. If you know something that I've missed out, please post below with as much info as you can, and I'll add it to the guide, with a credit to you!
    If you need help to solve a problem or want to ask a question, then START your own thread, with as much info as you can, please do NOT post in this thread, this thread is only for tricks,tips and useful reference info.

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  • I have an airport extreme and my computer runs Microsoft windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. I receive an error message saying " airport requires that your computer is running windows xp sp3 or windows vista sp1 or newer"...why?

    i have an airport extreme and my computer runs Microsoft windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. I receive an error message saying " airport requires that your computer is running windows xp sp3 or windows vista sp1 or newer"...why?

    It is required to be able to connect. Download SP3 here. http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=24
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    3/12/2012
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  • Media Center on Standard Def TV with 2009 Mini

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    Here is where I need advice because I am not very familiar with RAID and the differences between hardware or software raid. Am I better off getting four drives of the same size and setting them up as RAID 5 (I think) using Apple's RAID utility or should I throw in three 1TB drives and then install a fourth 3TB or 4TB drive as a Time Machine backup for the other three?
    Should I upgrade the OSX to the technically unsupported latest version? Or is it not worth the trouble for this application?
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    Much obliged for any input

    My plans are for a 128GB SSD boot drive installed in one of the PCIe slots and then to load up all 4 of the 3.5" drive bays with WD Green hard drives. I have also ordered 4GB of replacement RAM, so upon removal of the faulty unit I will have 7GB.
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    don't expect toshiba to fix problems like this.
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    Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender
    Date:          3/3/2010 10:13:20 PM
    Event ID:      543
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    Level:         Error
    Keywords:     
    User:          WILL7\swsander
    Computer:      WILL7
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    Error: Element not found.
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    <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
      <System>
        <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender" Guid="{7B7838A3-6562-4269-BB7A-97B0D9593882}" />
        <EventID>543</EventID>
        <Version>0</Version>
        <Level>2</Level>
        <Task>4</Task>
        <Opcode>0</Opcode>
        <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
        <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-03-04T03:13:20.805493500Z" />
        <EventRecordID>333</EventRecordID>
        <Correlation />
        <Execution ProcessID="9408" ThreadID="9760" />
        <Channel>Media Center</Channel>
        <Computer>WILL7</Computer>
        <Security UserID="S-1-5-21-2626302321-2836749625-3976135476-1001" />
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        <Data Name="Timeout">120000</Data>
        <Data Name="Error">-2147023728</Data>
      </EventData>
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    Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender
    Date:          12/10/2010 9:51:55 PM
    Event ID:      592
    Task Category: Configuration
    Level:         Warning
    Keywords:     
    User:          Eric-PC\Eric
    Computer:      Eric-PC
    Description:
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    Event Xml:
    <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
      <System>
        <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender" Guid="{7B7838A3-6562-4269-BB7A-97B0D9593882}" />
        <EventID>592</EventID>
        <Version>0</Version>
        <Level>3</Level>
        <Task>4</Task>
        <Opcode>0</Opcode>
        <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
        <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-12-11T02:51:55.176149000Z" />
        <EventRecordID>428</EventRecordID>
        <Correlation />
        <Execution ProcessID="16004" ThreadID="15676" />
        <Channel>Media Center</Channel>
        <Computer>Eric-PC</Computer>
        <Security UserID="S-1-5-21-3026407376-1936420717-4019103078-1001" />
      </System>
      <EventData>
        <Data Name="Timeout">180000</Data>
      </EventData>
    </Event>
    Log Name:      Media Center
    Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender
    Date:          12/10/2010 9:48:54 PM
    Event ID:      506
    Task Category: Configuration
    Level:         Information
    Keywords:     
    User:          Eric-PC\Eric
    Computer:      Eric-PC
    Description:
    Media Center Extender account Mcx1-ERIC-PC has been created for the Extender with ID: uuid:10000000-0000-0000-0200-001DD847D7F4.
    Event Xml:
    <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
      <System>
        <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender" Guid="{7B7838A3-6562-4269-BB7A-97B0D9593882}" />
        <EventID>506</EventID>
        <Version>0</Version>
        <Level>4</Level>
        <Task>4</Task>
        <Opcode>0</Opcode>
        <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
        <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-12-11T02:48:54.615896200Z" />
        <EventRecordID>427</EventRecordID>
        <Correlation />
        <Execution ProcessID="16004" ThreadID="9024" />
        <Channel>Media Center</Channel>
        <Computer>Eric-PC</Computer>
        <Security UserID="S-1-5-21-3026407376-1936420717-4019103078-1001" />
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      <EventData>
        <Data Name="User">Mcx1-ERIC-PC</Data>
        <Data Name="ID">uuid:10000000-0000-0000-0200-001DD847D7F4</Data>
      </EventData>
    </Event>
    Log Name:      Media Center
    Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender
    Date:          12/10/2010 9:48:49 PM
    Event ID:      500
    Task Category: Configuration
    Level:         Information
    Keywords:     
    User:          Eric-PC\Eric
    Computer:      Eric-PC
    Description:
    Media Center Extender Xbox 360 Media Center Extender 'uuid:10000000-0000-0000-0200-001DD847D7F4' discovered at address 192.168.1.2.
    Event Xml:
    <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
      <System>
        <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender" Guid="{7B7838A3-6562-4269-BB7A-97B0D9593882}" />
        <EventID>500</EventID>
        <Version>0</Version>
        <Level>4</Level>
        <Task>4</Task>
        <Opcode>0</Opcode>
        <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
        <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-12-11T02:48:49.155888500Z" />
        <EventRecordID>426</EventRecordID>
        <Correlation />
        <Execution ProcessID="16004" ThreadID="9024" />
        <Channel>Media Center</Channel>
        <Computer>Eric-PC</Computer>
        <Security UserID="S-1-5-21-3026407376-1936420717-4019103078-1001" />
      </System>
      <EventData>
        <Data Name="DeviceName">Xbox 360 Media Center Extender</Data>
        <Data Name="ID">uuid:10000000-0000-0000-0200-001DD847D7F4</Data>
        <Data Name="Address">192.168.1.2</Data>
      </EventData>
    </Event>
    Log Name:      Media Center
    Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender
    Date:          12/10/2010 9:48:36 PM
    Event ID:      573
    Task Category: Configuration
    Level:         Information
    Keywords:     
    User:          Eric-PC\Eric
    Computer:      Eric-PC
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    Media Center Extender found:
    ID: uuid:10000000-0000-0000-0200-001DD847D7F4
    IP Address: 192.168.1.2
    Interface GUID: {d8f53a92-8e85-4d1e-bde0-ba30d9b14449}
    NHED type: X02
    Event Xml:
    <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
      <System>
        <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender" Guid="{7B7838A3-6562-4269-BB7A-97B0D9593882}" />
        <EventID>573</EventID>
        <Version>0</Version>
        <Level>4</Level>
        <Task>4</Task>
        <Opcode>0</Opcode>
        <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
        <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-12-11T02:48:36.095870300Z" />
        <EventRecordID>425</EventRecordID>
        <Correlation />
        <Execution ProcessID="16004" ThreadID="15608" />
        <Channel>Media Center</Channel>
        <Computer>Eric-PC</Computer>
        <Security UserID="S-1-5-21-3026407376-1936420717-4019103078-1001" />
      </System>
      <EventData>
        <Data Name="ID">uuid:10000000-0000-0000-0200-001DD847D7F4</Data>
        <Data Name="Address">192.168.1.2</Data>
        <Data Name="GUID">{d8f53a92-8e85-4d1e-bde0-ba30d9b14449}</Data>
        <Data Name="NhedType">X02</Data>
      </EventData>
    </Event>
    Log Name:      Media Center
    Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender
    Date:          12/10/2010 9:48:35 PM
    Event ID:      581
    Task Category: Configuration
    Level:         Information
    Keywords:     
    User:          Eric-PC\Eric
    Computer:      Eric-PC
    Description:
    Media Center Extender Setup has determined that the Windows Firewall is enabled in the Home profile.
    Event Xml:
    <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
      <System>
        <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender" Guid="{7B7838A3-6562-4269-BB7A-97B0D9593882}" />
        <EventID>581</EventID>
        <Version>0</Version>
        <Level>4</Level>
        <Task>4</Task>
        <Opcode>0</Opcode>
        <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
        <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-12-11T02:48:35.555869500Z" />
        <EventRecordID>424</EventRecordID>
        <Correlation />
        <Execution ProcessID="16004" ThreadID="14828" />
        <Channel>Media Center</Channel>
        <Computer>Eric-PC</Computer>
        <Security UserID="S-1-5-21-3026407376-1936420717-4019103078-1001" />
      </System>
      <EventData>
      </EventData>
    </Event>
    Log Name:      Media Center
    Source:        Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender
    Date:          12/10/2010 9:48:35 PM
    Event ID:      575
    Task Category: Configuration
    Level:         Information
    Keywords:     
    User:          Eric-PC\Eric
    Computer:      Eric-PC
    Description:
    Media Center Extender Setup started with the following settings:
    Affiliation code: 159
    Username: Eric
    Event Xml:
    <Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
      <System>
        <Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Media Center Extender" Guid="{7B7838A3-6562-4269-BB7A-97B0D9593882}" />
        <EventID>575</EventID>
        <Version>0</Version>
        <Level>4</Level>
        <Task>4</Task>
        <Opcode>0</Opcode>
        <Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
        <TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-12-11T02:48:35.485869400Z" />
        <EventRecordID>423</EventRecordID>
        <Correlation />
        <Execution ProcessID="16004" ThreadID="14828" />
        <Channel>Media Center</Channel>
        <Computer>Eric-PC</Computer>
        <Security UserID="S-1-5-21-3026407376-1936420717-4019103078-1001" />
      </System>
      <EventData>
        <Data Name="AffCode">159</Data>
        <Data Name="User">Eric</Data>
      </EventData>
    </Event>

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