How can I upgrade from Windows XP Home TO Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005?

I have a Dell PC. It meets all the technical requirements for MCE
2005. I already have the XP MCE 2005 installation disk (Dell OEM) with
a valid (legal) product key.

The reason for this question is, Microsoft states that you cannot
UPGRADE to Windows MCE, it must be installed initially by the PC
manafacturer. I would like to know a work-around to upgrade to MCE
from Home.

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Request for Question Clarification by legolas-ga on 27 Jan 2005 18:14 PST

My understanding is that the only version of MCE is an OEM CD..
Therefore, there is no 'direct' upgrade.. You'd need to install a
parallel copy of the OS or reformat and reinstall.

Legolas-ga

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Clarification of Question by jfriedman-ga on 28 Jan 2005 05:58 PST

I own the MCE OEM CD. I would like to use it to upgrade my current XP
Home installation--without installing a second (parallel) copy of the
OS. I could reformat and reinstall, but this is what I am trying to
avoid.

Thanks

There are several vendors who will sell you an OEM copy of W-MCE if
you buy a "significant" piece of non-peripheral hardware at the same
time, thus qualifiying as a "System Builder" and satisying the
Microsoft licensing agreement for this OS.  Different companies
interpret what constitutes a "significant" piece of hardware
differently.  Luckily for you, there are a number of dealers who
interpret "significant" rather loosely!

Directron (http://www.directron.com/xpmedia.html), for example,
considers a $1.99 mouse to be a significant enough purchase to qualify
you.

NewEgg (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=32-102-311&depa=6)
requires a hardware purchase, but doesn't specify what kind.

TigerDirect (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1108025&CatId=306)
sells it as a "bundle" that includes an unspecified "internal hardware
component" that satisfies the licensing requirement.

I'm sure there are numerous other dealers out there if you just look.

There are also copies being sold on eBay.

As I mentioned, I already own a MCE 2005 CD.