Windows Complete Trasformation Into Media Center (1 Viewer)

[jsr]

Hi.

I'd like to know how can I complete transform my xp into a Media Center.

What I mean is that i don't wanna explore (or other windows stuff) running at startup. I'd like to start and shut down my pc with media portal.

I've to try MediaPortal yetm, but is there a way yo do what I want?

TNX

 

[huma2000]

You can set mp as your default shell

 

[Spragleknas]

... but it might cause bugs - from what I read.

As an alternative you can strip XP with nLite: http://www.nliteos.com/

 

[huma2000]

The bugs caused from settings mp as shell will be the same as changing it to litestep or other shell (maybe some mores)
Mp is not desinged as a shell so you will lose tray, some dde and some other funtions, but no one of these must be a block iusse.. anyway I haven't try.
Other alternative is to put it as a start program, but isn't as pretty...

I recommend you first: take a look at nlite to make a slim xp, only with the necesary software you need (you can disable lot of xp options).
Then install it on a clean pc and install your codecs and drivers.
Install mp and configure it and test it.
And the last step will be test it as a shell and as an autostart program.
If you need help doing it I have experience with nlite and playing with the diferent shells for windows.



Edit: Also you can change the boot screen to create a full customized xp.

 

[ScaryBob]

Try setting MediaPortal to start with Windows, always on top, full screen. This will make MediaPortal the default interface on startup. It is possible to break out of MediaPortal with this setup (that could be a good thing at times) but the typical user will not be able to to.

 

[revs]

I have set a MP boot screen.
I have then set Windows to auto-login.
Then the task bar is hidden, and the background is simply black (might replace this with a MP desktop pic.
Then MP starts automatically in full screen.

Works ok. still obviously a windows PC tho.

 

[gxtracker]

My setup is similar to revs' setup. since I hibernate the machine, once it has booted for the first time you never see any GUI other than mediaportal when you turn it on. Plus you have the backup that if MP crashes, you can close it down and go back to the windows desktop - something you cant do if making MP the default shell.

 

[huma2000]

There was a way to autorestart a crased shell, but I don't remember it atm... maybe I must do some search and try to make an small setup to test it...

 

[reverson1]

You can also check this link out for getting rid of the cursor at boot when loading windows https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/showthread.php?t=21532.

Have fun with this!

 

[myNerd]

Hide XP

I've read a similar article in the Meedio forum. (now called MeediOS)

They prefer instantsheller.

Just google for instantsheller.zip.

On the Homepage is a brief desription on how it works, and how to
replace the XP Explorer with ANY EXE as a shell.
This also comes with some eye candy like bootskin, etc.

Hope this helps