Vista Home Premium but no Media Center

No one a Microsoft can help you at all. It's a OEM version and whomever you
bought it from is responsible for it. However I just found something that
may help you and hopefully it will. Read over this page as it describes how
to disable WMC as though it appears it's not installed at all. Check all the
services and make sure yours is enabled.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/2008/0...nter-in-vista/

--
All the best,
SG

ALEX NICHOL
(1935-2005)
http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm
You will never be forgotten my friend

"BenZappa" <> wrote in message
news:5C122509-9D9F-4201-A9CF-...
> But that was the main reason I paid for the "Premium" version.
> Who can I talk to at Microsoft about this?
>
> "Bob" wrote:
>
>> Contrary to the info you find on the web, when I purchased my Home
>> Premium
>> machine there were some less expensive OEM Home Premium versions that did
>> not include MCE.
>>
>> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>> news:C1BB52C3-3C23-4EFC-9509-...
>> > Yes. I also copy and pasted "Windows Media Center" (without the
>> > quotes)
>> > to
>> > the search box with the same result.
>> >
>> > "SG" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi,
>> >>
>> >> Are you typing "Windows Media Center" just under the Start button at
>> >> the
>> >> very bottom in a white box that states "Start Search" and just to the
>> >> right
>> >> is a magnifying glass?
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> All the best,
>> >> SG
>> >>
>> >> ALEX NICHOL
>> >> (1935-2005)
>> >> http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm
>> >> You will never be forgotten my friend
>> >>
>> >> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:4C144E40-7A8B-4609-81EB-...
>> >> > No icon comes up. What comes up is "Search Everywhere" and "Search
>> >> > the
>> >> > Internet." If I click on "Search Everywhere" what comes up is "No
>> >> > items
>> >> > match your search." I must not have the magic touch.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box
>> >> >> type in: Windows Media Center. Then click on the Windows Media
>> >> >> Center
>> >> >> icon that magically appears at the top on the Start Menu.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Carey Frisch
>> >> >> Microsoft MVP
>> >> >> Windows Shell/User
>> >> >>
>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "BenZappa" wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I bought an OEM version of Vista Home Premium for a new build.
>> >> >> Everything
>> >> >> seems to run fine but there is no Media Center in the programs
>> >> >> list.
>> >> >> Nothing
>> >> >> happens when I push the green button on the remote.
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

Somebody passing off Home Basic or Business, or even an "N" version, as Home
Premium maybe?
(N versions don't include Media Player)

If you open a command prompt then enter in "slmgr -dli" without the quotes
Vista will report the version, your license status and also give a partial
product key (last 5 digits) that should correspond with either the key you
entered in during installation or with the automatically assigned numbers
for the Vista versions below.

The default partial product key values if you don't enter a key when
installing Vista are:
Business - MRW4W
BusinessN - QXX44
Home Basic - 3V4VD
Home BasicN - GFJBT
Home Premium - 76PKF
Ultimate - RP8F7


In any case if the Vista discs are OEM it's up to the OEM supplier to remedy
your situation.



"Bob" <> wrote in message
news:. ..
> Contrary to the info you find on the web, when I purchased my Home Premium
> machine there were some less expensive OEM Home Premium versions that did
> not include MCE.
>
> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> news:C1BB52C3-3C23-4EFC-9509-...
>> Yes. I also copy and pasted "Windows Media Center" (without the quotes)
>> to
>> the search box with the same result.
>>
>> "SG" wrote:
>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> Are you typing "Windows Media Center" just under the Start button at the
>>> very bottom in a white box that states "Start Search" and just to the
>>> right
>>> is a magnifying glass?
>>>
>>> --
>>> All the best,
>>> SG
>>>
>>> ALEX NICHOL
>>> (1935-2005)
>>> http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm
>>> You will never be forgotten my friend
>>>
>>> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>>> news:4C144E40-7A8B-4609-81EB-...
>>> > No icon comes up. What comes up is "Search Everywhere" and "Search
>>> > the
>>> > Internet." If I click on "Search Everywhere" what comes up is "No
>>> > items
>>> > match your search." I must not have the magic touch.
>>> >
>>> > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box
>>> >> type in: Windows Media Center. Then click on the Windows Media
>>> >> Center
>>> >> icon that magically appears at the top on the Start Menu.
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >> Carey Frisch
>>> >> Microsoft MVP
>>> >> Windows Shell/User
>>> >>
>>> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> >>
>>> >> "BenZappa" wrote:
>>> >>
>>> >> I bought an OEM version of Vista Home Premium for a new build.
>>> >> Everything
>>> >> seems to run fine but there is no Media Center in the programs list.
>>> >> Nothing
>>> >> happens when I push the green button on the remote.
>>> >>
>>>
>>>
>

On Tue, 4 Mar 2008 08:46:44 -0500, Bob wrote:

>> Be grateful for small mercies.
>>
> Why, do you have a problem with MCE?

No because I ignore it.

--
Chris Game

The generation of random numbers is too important to be left
to chance. -Robert R. Coveyou Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Your loss. I thoroughly enjoy it.

"Chris Game" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Tue, 4 Mar 2008 08:46:44 -0500, Bob wrote:
>
>>> Be grateful for small mercies.
>>>
>> Why, do you have a problem with MCE?
>
> No because I ignore it.
>
> --
> Chris Game
>
> The generation of random numbers is too important to be left
> to chance. -Robert R. Coveyou Oak Ridge National Laboratory

It's not an MS problem. You need to deal with the OEM or the retailer.
Perhaps you can exchange it for a FULL Home Premium version.

"BenZappa" <> wrote in message
news:5C122509-9D9F-4201-A9CF-...
> But that was the main reason I paid for the "Premium" version.
> Who can I talk to at Microsoft about this?
>
> "Bob" wrote:
>
>> Contrary to the info you find on the web, when I purchased my Home
>> Premium
>> machine there were some less expensive OEM Home Premium versions that did
>> not include MCE.
>>
>> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>> news:C1BB52C3-3C23-4EFC-9509-...
>> > Yes. I also copy and pasted "Windows Media Center" (without the
>> > quotes)
>> > to
>> > the search box with the same result.
>> >
>> > "SG" wrote:
>> >
>> >> Hi,
>> >>
>> >> Are you typing "Windows Media Center" just under the Start button at
>> >> the
>> >> very bottom in a white box that states "Start Search" and just to the
>> >> right
>> >> is a magnifying glass?
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> All the best,
>> >> SG
>> >>
>> >> ALEX NICHOL
>> >> (1935-2005)
>> >> http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm
>> >> You will never be forgotten my friend
>> >>
>> >> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>> >> news:4C144E40-7A8B-4609-81EB-...
>> >> > No icon comes up. What comes up is "Search Everywhere" and "Search
>> >> > the
>> >> > Internet." If I click on "Search Everywhere" what comes up is "No
>> >> > items
>> >> > match your search." I must not have the magic touch.
>> >> >
>> >> > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box
>> >> >> type in: Windows Media Center. Then click on the Windows Media
>> >> >> Center
>> >> >> icon that magically appears at the top on the Start Menu.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> --
>> >> >> Carey Frisch
>> >> >> Microsoft MVP
>> >> >> Windows Shell/User
>> >> >>
>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "BenZappa" wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I bought an OEM version of Vista Home Premium for a new build.
>> >> >> Everything
>> >> >> seems to run fine but there is no Media Center in the programs
>> >> >> list.
>> >> >> Nothing
>> >> >> happens when I push the green button on the remote.
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

An additional thought. Not all MCE versions include a TV tuner. Make certain
you get one that does.

"Bob" <> wrote in message
news:. ..
> It's not an MS problem. You need to deal with the OEM or the retailer.
> Perhaps you can exchange it for a FULL Home Premium version.
>
> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> news:5C122509-9D9F-4201-A9CF-...
>> But that was the main reason I paid for the "Premium" version.
>> Who can I talk to at Microsoft about this?
>>
>> "Bob" wrote:
>>
>>> Contrary to the info you find on the web, when I purchased my Home
>>> Premium
>>> machine there were some less expensive OEM Home Premium versions that
>>> did
>>> not include MCE.
>>>
>>> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>>> news:C1BB52C3-3C23-4EFC-9509-...
>>> > Yes. I also copy and pasted "Windows Media Center" (without the
>>> > quotes)
>>> > to
>>> > the search box with the same result.
>>> >
>>> > "SG" wrote:
>>> >
>>> >> Hi,
>>> >>
>>> >> Are you typing "Windows Media Center" just under the Start button at
>>> >> the
>>> >> very bottom in a white box that states "Start Search" and just to the
>>> >> right
>>> >> is a magnifying glass?
>>> >>
>>> >> --
>>> >> All the best,
>>> >> SG
>>> >>
>>> >> ALEX NICHOL
>>> >> (1935-2005)
>>> >> http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm
>>> >> You will never be forgotten my friend
>>> >>
>>> >> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>>> >> news:4C144E40-7A8B-4609-81EB-...
>>> >> > No icon comes up. What comes up is "Search Everywhere" and "Search
>>> >> > the
>>> >> > Internet." If I click on "Search Everywhere" what comes up is "No
>>> >> > items
>>> >> > match your search." I must not have the magic touch.
>>> >> >
>>> >> > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>>> >> >
>>> >> >> Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box
>>> >> >> type in: Windows Media Center. Then click on the Windows Media
>>> >> >> Center
>>> >> >> icon that magically appears at the top on the Start Menu.
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> --
>>> >> >> Carey Frisch
>>> >> >> Microsoft MVP
>>> >> >> Windows Shell/User
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> "BenZappa" wrote:
>>> >> >>
>>> >> >> I bought an OEM version of Vista Home Premium for a new build.
>>> >> >> Everything
>>> >> >> seems to run fine but there is no Media Center in the programs
>>> >> >> list.
>>> >> >> Nothing
>>> >> >> happens when I push the green button on the remote.
>>> >> >>
>>> >>
>>> >>
>>>
>>>
>

This might be the problem.

Windows Vista Home Premium Lite
http://thepiratebay.org/tor/3991864/...a_Home_Premium

"DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LITE AND HEAVY VERSION:
SOME OF THE COMPONENTS LIKE WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER WHICH WILL WORK ONLY ON
MEDIA CENTER PC WILL NOT BE IN THIS LITE VERSION"

Note: Caps are not mine. Copy and pasted from the above url.

> news:. ..
>> It's not an MS problem. You need to deal with the OEM or the retailer.
>> Perhaps you can exchange it for a FULL Home Premium version.
>>
>> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>> news:5C122509-9D9F-4201-A9CF-...
>>> But that was the main reason I paid for the "Premium" version.
>>> Who can I talk to at Microsoft about this?
>>>
>>> "Bob" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Contrary to the info you find on the web, when I purchased my Home
>>>> Premium
>>>> machine there were some less expensive OEM Home Premium versions that
>>>> did
>>>> not include MCE.
>>>>
>>>> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>>>> news:C1BB52C3-3C23-4EFC-9509-...
>>>> > Yes. I also copy and pasted "Windows Media Center" (without the
>>>> > quotes)
>>>> > to
>>>> > the search box with the same result.
>>>> >
>>>> > "SG" wrote:
>>>> >
>>>> >> Hi,
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Are you typing "Windows Media Center" just under the Start button at
>>>> >> the
>>>> >> very bottom in a white box that states "Start Search" and just to
>>>> >> the
>>>> >> right
>>>> >> is a magnifying glass?
>>>> >>
>>>> >> --
>>>> >> All the best,
>>>> >> SG
>>>> >>
>>>> >> ALEX NICHOL
>>>> >> (1935-2005)
>>>> >> http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm
>>>> >> You will never be forgotten my friend
>>>> >>
>>>> >> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
>>>> >> news:4C144E40-7A8B-4609-81EB-...
>>>> >> > No icon comes up. What comes up is "Search Everywhere" and
>>>> >> > "Search the
>>>> >> > Internet." If I click on "Search Everywhere" what comes up is "No
>>>> >> > items
>>>> >> > match your search." I must not have the magic touch.
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>>>> >> >
>>>> >> >> Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box
>>>> >> >> type in: Windows Media Center. Then click on the Windows Media
>>>> >> >> Center
>>>> >> >> icon that magically appears at the top on the Start Menu.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> --
>>>> >> >> Carey Frisch
>>>> >> >> Microsoft MVP
>>>> >> >> Windows Shell/User
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> "BenZappa" wrote:
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >> >> I bought an OEM version of Vista Home Premium for a new build.
>>>> >> >> Everything
>>>> >> >> seems to run fine but there is no Media Center in the programs
>>>> >> >> list.
>>>> >> >> Nothing
>>>> >> >> happens when I push the green button on the remote.
>>>> >> >>
>>>> >>
>>>> >>
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>

It comes back "Vista, HomePremium Edition" and the "License Status: Licensed."

"RalfG" wrote:

> Somebody passing off Home Basic or Business, or even an "N" version, as Home
> Premium maybe?
> (N versions don't include Media Player)
>
> If you open a command prompt then enter in "slmgr -dli" without the quotes
> Vista will report the version, your license status and also give a partial
> product key (last 5 digits) that should correspond with either the key you
> entered in during installation or with the automatically assigned numbers
> for the Vista versions below.
>
> The default partial product key values if you don't enter a key when
> installing Vista are:
> Business - MRW4W
> BusinessN - QXX44
> Home Basic - 3V4VD
> Home BasicN - GFJBT
> Home Premium - 76PKF
> Ultimate - RP8F7
>
>
> In any case if the Vista discs are OEM it's up to the OEM supplier to remedy
> your situation.
>
>
>
> "Bob" <> wrote in message
> news:. ..
> > Contrary to the info you find on the web, when I purchased my Home Premium
> > machine there were some less expensive OEM Home Premium versions that did
> > not include MCE.
> >
> > "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> > news:C1BB52C3-3C23-4EFC-9509-...
> >> Yes. I also copy and pasted "Windows Media Center" (without the quotes)
> >> to
> >> the search box with the same result.
> >>
> >> "SG" wrote:
> >>
> >>> Hi,
> >>>
> >>> Are you typing "Windows Media Center" just under the Start button at the
> >>> very bottom in a white box that states "Start Search" and just to the
> >>> right
> >>> is a magnifying glass?
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> All the best,
> >>> SG
> >>>
> >>> ALEX NICHOL
> >>> (1935-2005)
> >>> http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm
> >>> You will never be forgotten my friend
> >>>
> >>> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> >>> news:4C144E40-7A8B-4609-81EB-...
> >>> > No icon comes up. What comes up is "Search Everywhere" and "Search
> >>> > the
> >>> > Internet." If I click on "Search Everywhere" what comes up is "No
> >>> > items
> >>> > match your search." I must not have the magic touch.
> >>> >
> >>> > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
> >>> >
> >>> >> Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box
> >>> >> type in: Windows Media Center. Then click on the Windows Media
> >>> >> Center
> >>> >> icon that magically appears at the top on the Start Menu.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> --
> >>> >> Carey Frisch
> >>> >> Microsoft MVP
> >>> >> Windows Shell/User
> >>> >>
> >>> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> >>> >>
> >>> >> "BenZappa" wrote:
> >>> >>
> >>> >> I bought an OEM version of Vista Home Premium for a new build.
> >>> >> Everything
> >>> >> seems to run fine but there is no Media Center in the programs list.
> >>> >> Nothing
> >>> >> happens when I push the green button on the remote.
> >>> >>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
>

But the box says "MICROSOFT" in big letters. "MICROSOFT Product Description
Windows Vista Home Prem 32-bit English 1pk DSP OEI DVD" I got it from Newegg
and the link from Newegg takes me to Microsoft wich shows that this version
should have Media Center in it.

"Bob" wrote:

> It's not an MS problem. You need to deal with the OEM or the retailer.
> Perhaps you can exchange it for a FULL Home Premium version.
>
> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> news:5C122509-9D9F-4201-A9CF-...
> > But that was the main reason I paid for the "Premium" version.
> > Who can I talk to at Microsoft about this?
> >
> > "Bob" wrote:
> >
> >> Contrary to the info you find on the web, when I purchased my Home
> >> Premium
> >> machine there were some less expensive OEM Home Premium versions that did
> >> not include MCE.
> >>
> >> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> >> news:C1BB52C3-3C23-4EFC-9509-...
> >> > Yes. I also copy and pasted "Windows Media Center" (without the
> >> > quotes)
> >> > to
> >> > the search box with the same result.
> >> >
> >> > "SG" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi,
> >> >>
> >> >> Are you typing "Windows Media Center" just under the Start button at
> >> >> the
> >> >> very bottom in a white box that states "Start Search" and just to the
> >> >> right
> >> >> is a magnifying glass?
> >> >>
> >> >> --
> >> >> All the best,
> >> >> SG
> >> >>
> >> >> ALEX NICHOL
> >> >> (1935-2005)
> >> >> http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm
> >> >> You will never be forgotten my friend
> >> >>
> >> >> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> >> >> news:4C144E40-7A8B-4609-81EB-...
> >> >> > No icon comes up. What comes up is "Search Everywhere" and "Search
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > Internet." If I click on "Search Everywhere" what comes up is "No
> >> >> > items
> >> >> > match your search." I must not have the magic touch.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box
> >> >> >> type in: Windows Media Center. Then click on the Windows Media
> >> >> >> Center
> >> >> >> icon that magically appears at the top on the Start Menu.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> --
> >> >> >> Carey Frisch
> >> >> >> Microsoft MVP
> >> >> >> Windows Shell/User
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "BenZappa" wrote:
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> I bought an OEM version of Vista Home Premium for a new build.
> >> >> >> Everything
> >> >> >> seems to run fine but there is no Media Center in the programs
> >> >> >> list.
> >> >> >> Nothing
> >> >> >> happens when I push the green button on the remote.
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>

Thats what started me on all of this. I thought maybe I need a tuner card to
bring Media Center up. I bought an AVerMedia AVerTV Combo PCI-E Media
Center Upgrade Kit. Which comes with a Mecia Center IR receiver and remote.
That didn't help. So then I reinstalled Vista with the card already in the
computer. Still nothing.

"Bob" wrote:

> An additional thought. Not all MCE versions include a TV tuner. Make certain
> you get one that does.
>
> "Bob" <> wrote in message
> news:. ..
> > It's not an MS problem. You need to deal with the OEM or the retailer.
> > Perhaps you can exchange it for a FULL Home Premium version.
> >
> > "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> > news:5C122509-9D9F-4201-A9CF-...
> >> But that was the main reason I paid for the "Premium" version.
> >> Who can I talk to at Microsoft about this?
> >>
> >> "Bob" wrote:
> >>
> >>> Contrary to the info you find on the web, when I purchased my Home
> >>> Premium
> >>> machine there were some less expensive OEM Home Premium versions that
> >>> did
> >>> not include MCE.
> >>>
> >>> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> >>> news:C1BB52C3-3C23-4EFC-9509-...
> >>> > Yes. I also copy and pasted "Windows Media Center" (without the
> >>> > quotes)
> >>> > to
> >>> > the search box with the same result.
> >>> >
> >>> > "SG" wrote:
> >>> >
> >>> >> Hi,
> >>> >>
> >>> >> Are you typing "Windows Media Center" just under the Start button at
> >>> >> the
> >>> >> very bottom in a white box that states "Start Search" and just to the
> >>> >> right
> >>> >> is a magnifying glass?
> >>> >>
> >>> >> --
> >>> >> All the best,
> >>> >> SG
> >>> >>
> >>> >> ALEX NICHOL
> >>> >> (1935-2005)
> >>> >> http://www.aumha.org/alex.htm
> >>> >> You will never be forgotten my friend
> >>> >>
> >>> >> "BenZappa" <> wrote in message
> >>> >> news:4C144E40-7A8B-4609-81EB-...
> >>> >> > No icon comes up. What comes up is "Search Everywhere" and "Search
> >>> >> > the
> >>> >> > Internet." If I click on "Search Everywhere" what comes up is "No
> >>> >> > items
> >>> >> > match your search." I must not have the magic touch.
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> > "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> >> Click on the Start button and in the Start Search box
> >>> >> >> type in: Windows Media Center. Then click on the Windows Media
> >>> >> >> Center
> >>> >> >> icon that magically appears at the top on the Start Menu.
> >>> >> >>
> >>> >> >> --
> >>> >> >> Carey Frisch
> >>> >> >> Microsoft MVP
> >>> >> >> Windows Shell/User
> >>> >> >>
> >>> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------
> >>> >> >>
> >>> >> >> "BenZappa" wrote:
> >>> >> >>
> >>> >> >> I bought an OEM version of Vista Home Premium for a new build.
> >>> >> >> Everything
> >>> >> >> seems to run fine but there is no Media Center in the programs
> >>> >> >> list.
> >>> >> >> Nothing
> >>> >> >> happens when I push the green button on the remote.
> >>> >> >>
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
>
>