S1Digital Vista Upgrade Information

OK, so you want to upgrade your S1Digital Media Center to Vista. No problems. Just read all the instructions below and you'll have a brand spanking new version of Windows and, of course, Media Center.

All S1Digital Media Centers are upgradeable.

If you have any questions, concerns or issues with the upgrade or would like additional help before, during or after the upgrade, please contact support.

Click here to download instructions in pdf format (they're easier to read).

Upgrading to Windows Vista

PLEASE READ ENTIRE DOCUMENT BEFORE UPGRADING.

Introduction

You can upgrade to Windows Vista using an Express Upgrade DVD, a purchased full copy of Vista or an Upgrade version of Windows Vista. In order to keep Media Center functionality, you need either Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate versions.

Upgrading in three easy steps

Upgrading to Windows Vista involves three main steps:

1.    Preparing your system for the Windows Vista upgrade

2.    Installing Windows Vista

3.    Updating software and device drivers to Windows Vista-capable versions

Important notes:

• The upgrade/install process may take an hour or more to complete. Be patient and do not interrupt the installation
  
• The Linksys (WMCE54AG), HP and Original Xbox Media Center Extenders do not work with Vista Media Center
  
• There is a bug with the HDTV tuner drivers (models from 2006 and prior) that causes Vista to hang after entering suspend mode and then trying to watch HDTV again. The manufacturer is aware of this issue, but we do not know when a fix will be released.
  
• If your system came with S1Digital System Recovery solution, if you attempt to restore your system using this method, it will put your system back to how it was when you first received it, i.e.  Media Center Edition 2005. If you delete this partition then you won’t be able to restore to MCE 2005 without installing from the original MCE disks
  
• Nvidia drivers currently do not have overscan correction in Vista. If your TV does not support 1:1 pixel mapping of video input, you will likely see some TV overscan (edges of the screen are cut off). Updated drivers will resolve this in the near future.
  
• You may get protected content errors while watching recorded shows from channels that have copy protection flags set. These are typically the movie channels such as HBO, Showtime, etc. Please watch any recorded TV that you recorded from these channels BEFORE upgrading.
  
• You may also get protected content errors after upgrading when watching certain TV channels if you perform an upgrade install and keep the Nvidia PureVideo Decoders installed. Removing Nvidia PureVideo Decoder should resolve this.
  
• PLEASE BE AWARE THAT IF DOING AN UPGRADE INSTALLATION THERE MAY BE OTHER ISSUES THAT WE CANNOT FORSEE, ESPACIALLY IF YOU HAVE INSTALLED OTHER APPLICATIONS. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND DOING A CLEAN INSTALL WHERE POSSIBLE.

Preparing for the upgrade

Deciding the type of upgrade

Before starting the upgrade, you should decide on the type of upgrade you will perform:

·         Reformat before upgrade (clean install) (strongly recommended)
This is the upgrade method we recommend for most customers, because of its simplicity and low potential for file conflicts. This method reformats (erases everything) your hard drive before installing Windows Vista. You should also use this method if:

o    You do not want to install over Windows XP (to avoid potential file conflicts).

o    It is not possible for you to upgrade over Windows XP (because of file conflicts).

o    You want to install Windows Vista on a specific hard drive partition (for advanced users).

Caution:

This method deletes all of your current software, personal data files, and system settings, so you may want to back up all of your personal files before starting this upgrade method.

Important

Because the hidden area on your hard drive used for Windows XP recovery uses storage space, we recommend that you re-partition and format the entire drive (including the hidden recovery partition) before installing Windows Vista. Reformatting the drive provides the maximum amount of usable hard drive space.

For a great guide on installing a Vista without upgrading, you may also like to review the instructions here: http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winvista/vistahomepremium/installnewhdd/installnewhdd.htm

·         Install upgrade over Windows XP
This method installs Windows Vista on top of your current Windows XP files and should let you keep your data files, settings and installed programs. This does not reformat the hard drive first, so it replaces only those files that are related to operating Windows Vista. Using this method, you can run a "compatibility check" to determine whether your system is ready to be upgraded. Although it is not required that you first back up your personal files, we recommend that you do.

For a great guide on updating you Media Center to Vista, you may also like to review the instructions here: http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winvista/vistahomepremium/upgrade/upgradetovista.htm

Preparing your computer for the upgrade

To prepare your computer for the upgrade:

1.     Have your Windows Vista DVD ready.

2.     Find the 25-character Windows product key on the cover of your Vista DVD.

3.     If your computer is on a network and you want it to stay on the same network after you upgrade, make note of your computer's network name. To find your computer's network name, click Start, My Computer, View system information, then click the Computer Name tab.

4.     Back up your personal data files before starting either type of Windows Vista installation. For instructions, see "Appendix B: Backing up your Files."

5.     Check www.s1digital.com->support to find any last minute additional information you may need before installing Vista.

7.     Uninstall the following applications if they are installed:

·         Norton Antivirus

·         Liveupdate

·         Sigmatel Audio

·         TweakMCE

·         Norton Internet Security

·         Symantec Client Security

·         LiveReg

·         Wave ETS

·         Nero OEM

·         lnCD

·         DVD Solution

·         PowerZGo 4.0

·         PowerDVD

·         Digital Media Reader

To uninstall these applications:

a.     Click Start, Control Panel, then click Add or Remove Programs. The Add or Remove Programs dialog box opens.

b.    Click the program name, then click Change/Remove and Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the uninstall. You can reinstall Windows Vista-capable software versions after the upgrade is complete. 

8.     If you use McAfee SecurityCenter, open it, then click Updates and follow the on-screen instructions.

9.     Install the latest Windows XP versions for your other applications and device drivers (except for the software and drivers you have uninstalled in Step 8 above). You can often find updates (if available) on the software publisher's Web site. For technical support of software not installed by S1Digital, you must contact the software publisher.

10.  Install the latest Windows XP operating system updates. While your computer is connected to the Internet, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, then click Windows Update and follow the on-screen instructions (if any).

11.  Click Start, Turn Off Computer, then click Restart. Your computer restarts.

12.  If Found New Hardware Wizard windows appear after restarting Windows, click Cancel to close each pop up.

13.  You are done with preparing your computer For the Windows Vista upgrade. Go to "Installing the upgrade" on page 4.

Installing the Upgrade

To install the Windows Vista upgrade: 

1.     Insert the Windows Vista DVD into your computer's optical drive. The Windows Vista setup wizard should run automatically. If it does not run automatically, click Start, Run, browse, then find and run the setup.exe File on the DVD. The install Windows window opens.

2.     If you are installing Windows Vista over Windows XP (not reformatting the hard drive first), you should run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, which can alert you to software and hardware conflicts that should be resolved before starting the upgrade. For instructions, see "Appendix C: Running the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor".

3.     In the Install Windows window, click Install now. The “which type of installation do you want?” window opens.

4.     If you are erasing your hard drive before upgrading to Windows Vista (recommended), click Custom (advanced).

- OR -

If you are installing Windows Vista over Windows XP, click Upgrade, then click Go online to get the latest updates.

5.     Follow the on-screen instructions until the installation is finished.

6.     At the end of the installation, click Help protect Windows automatically, then click Use recommended settings. Later, when your computer is connected to the Internet, Windows updates will be downloaded and installed automatically.

Updating software and device drivers

 To update software and device drivers to Windows Vista-capable versions:

1.     Install any updated Windows Vista drivers.

a.     Windows show automatically update any available drivers over the Internet automatically. To check Windows update settings, go to Start menu, All Programs, Windows Update.

b.    IMPORTANT: Go to http://www.s1digital.com/Vista_Downloads_s/72.htm to download the latest required Vista drivers.

 2.     Re-install all software that is still missing or is no longer working. If you erased your hard drive before upgrading (a "clean" install), you also need to restore your personal data Files.

 To re-install non-S1Digital software:

 Note that we do not recommend installation of other software onto your S1Digital Media Center

·      Use the original install discs to re-install the software, then install any available Windows Vista updates for those applications. You can often find updates on that software publisher's Web site. For technical support of non-S1Digital installed software, you must contact the software publisher.

·         If you used Symantec/Norton security software in Windows XP and want to continue using it, contact Symantec for Windows Vista-capable versions.

Copy your personal Files From your backup media to your hard drive.

Congratulations! You have successfully upgraded your computer to Windows Vista!

Appendix B: Backing up your files

Back up all of your personal files onto something other than the hard drive that you are installing Windows Vista to. You can back up to writable CDs or DVDs (the most common type of backup), a removable or external drive, a backup tape, or a network location. 

To backup individual files and folders (easiest):

1.  Navigate to the folder you want to backup

2.     Follow the instructions here: hhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/306524

To back up files using Windows built in backup:

1.   Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens.

2.     Right-click the drive that you want to back up, click Properties, then click the Tools ttab.

3.     Click Backup Now; then follow the on-screen instructions to select a backup storage location and the files and folders to back up. 

For more information about backing up Files, see your computer's Reference Guide, or click Start, then click Help and Support. Type  backups in the Search Help bbox, then press ENTER.

4.   Return to Step 7 oon page 3.

Appendix C: Running the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor

To run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor

1.     In the Windows Vista setup program window, click Check compatibility online.

2.     Follow the on-screen instructions for downloading, installing, and running the Upgrade Advisor. After the Upgrade Advisor finishes checking your computer, the Scan complete window opens.

3.     Click See Details. The results screen tells you whether your computer can run Windows Vista and whether your computer has driver or software problems that need to be resolved before upgrading.

4.     If the compatibility check finds driver problems, fix them before starting the Windows Vista upgrade.

·         To fix driver problems, click Devices, then follow the directions that appear in the Action Required column for the listed problem.

·         To fix software problems, click Programs, then uninstall or update the software that is not Vista ready.

Trademarks

Intel, ntel Inside logo, and Pentium are registered trademarks of lntel Corporation. Microsoft, MS, Windows Vista, and Windows are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other product names mentioned herein are used for identification purposes only, and may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.