Re: Feel Duped by Microsoft with MCE NOT being allowed to join DOM

While it is true that Microsoft has made no secret that MCE 2005 computers
can't join a domain, the fact that computers running MCE 2004 are able to
join a domain and MS disabled this function in the update, clearly shows that
this was a marketing ploy to differentiate between XP Pro and MCE 2005.
Without some disabling of MCE functions, a consumer purchasing MCE 2005 could
get his XP license for less than the price of a Pro license and (as in MCE
2004) would get everything Pro plus the superset functionality of MCE. Its
not really fair to completely exonerate Microsoft in this case since they did
change the way MCE 2005 is marketed from MCE 2004.
--
Tom M


"Doug Knox MS-MVP" wrote:

> The company you purchased the computer from is the one you should be complaining to. Microsoft made this information public.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/faq.mspx
>
> Scroll down to General Information, 9th question:
>
> Q. Can I connect a new PC running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 to a work network or domain?
>
> A. While you can access network resources on a work network or a domain, you cannot join a Windows XP Media Center 2005 PC to the domain. PCs running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 are designed specifically for home use. Professional features, specifically Domain Join and Cached Credentials (Credentials Manager for logins) are not included. As a result, you will be prompted for your login username/password to access network resources after a reboot or logging back into the PC. In addition, file shares or network resources set to require a domain-joined PC for access will not be available. Remote Desktop and Encrypting File System support are still included.
>
> You new computer should have an instruction manual, or possibly and included help file that will tell you how to access the recovery partition, recovery CD/DVD set, and restore the computer to its "out of the box" condition.
>
> Additionally, there are purported hacks out there that supposedly allow you to re-enable this capability.
>
> The primary reason for not allowing joining to a domain was the introduction of the Media Center Extenders. Since they rely on the Fast User Switching portion of Windows XP. In a domain environment, Fast User Switching is disabled. If they allowed joining a domain, then people who didn't do their homework on the Extender devices would complain because it would only work when no one was logged into the host computer.
>
> --
> Doug Knox, MS-MVP Windows Media Center\Windows Powered Smart Display\Security
> Win 95/98/Me/XP Tweaks and Fixes
> http://www.dougknox.com
> --------------------------------
> Per user Group Policy Restrictions for XP Home and XP Pro
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_securityconsole.htm
> --------------------------------
> Please reply only to the newsgroup so all may benefit.
> Unsolicited e-mail is not answered.
>
> "Jemima" <Jemima@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:BE6DCC6E-ADA5-4E6C-A3F2-F3AB35E3E683@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >I just purchased a brand new computer with MCE 2005 and NEED to join my
> > domain because that is where all my files, and my children's homeschooled
> > programs, etc. are located. It is imperative. Last I had checked into it,
> > there was no problem with MCE and domain log in.
> >
> > Now, I am stuck with a computer that does not have this ability as my new
> > school year is coming to a start and I need this capability. WHY on earth
> > would microsoft disable this?
> >
> > I don't have a clue how to go about reloading the software to have a the
> > chance to change this during setup. Surely microsoft realizes that these
> > computers come with the os already installed and they are making what should
> > be a pleasant occasion filled with misery because the darn computer is
> > rendered useless for what we need it for.
> >
> > WARN your customers about what your programs NO LONGER do because they may
> > believe they will be getting a functioning computer.
> >
> > This is a joke and I am furious.
>
.

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