Hands on Hardware: Update Windows XP Media Center

Rollup 2 

The most significant update for MCE 2005 is Rollup-2, through Windows Update on your Start menu. This fixes many issues with MCE 2005 systems, along with adding several new features.

Probably the best addition is for UK owners of MCE systems with digital TV tuners. The Freeview

DVB-T digital TV service in the UK has long broadcast digital radio alongside conventional TV stations, but annoyingly MCE systems have been unable to receive these programmes (see picture).

Now with Rollup-2, MCE 2005 can receive and record digital radio stations, along with showing two-week advance listings for them in the Guide. Due to the way Microsoft has implemented the service though, you’ll have to access recordings through the My TV menu, as My Radio is still only for use with compatible FM radio tuners.

Along with support for DVB-T radio stations, Rollup-2 also includes improved DVD video creation and support for the Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender device.

Users in the US can also now enjoy a second ATSC digital TV tuner card. Rollup-2 additionally implements further DRM (Digital Rights Management), although this has yet to have any impact on UK users – as far as I can tell anyway.

Installing Rollup-2 isn’t quite as simple as just selecting it from Windows Update and sitting back as it downloads and executes though.

It first requires Microsoft’s .Net Framework 1.1 and .Net Framework 1.1 SP1 to be installed, and Windows Update can do this for you automatically if required before kicking off the Rollup-2 installation.

Before doing any of the above though you must first check to see if you have a specific previous update to .Net already installed on your system.

So go to your Add/Remove Programs Control Panel, check the box to Show Updates and have a look to see if you already have update 886904 installed.

If you do, you must uninstall it before starting the Rollup-2 process, as it will otherwise prevent the .Net Framework SP1 from installing.

My own MCE system had existing .Net updates with numbers close to the offending item, but not the actual one Microsoft warns of, so I was safe to proceed.

Once you’re sure update 886904 isn’t on your system, you can safely visit Windows Update whereupon you can choose Rollup-2 as an optional update; the required .Net Frameworks should automatically install first.

Before you relax, however, after Rollup-2 has been installed and your system restarted, revisit Windows Update and check the optional updates again – you may need to install a patch for Rollup-2 itself. Rollup-2 and its installation process is fully documented in Microsoft article 900325.