Join a domain with Windows Media Center Edition

Of course this is very unsupported and I bet MS would laugh at you if you called and complained that something didn't work right, but if I ever run MCE, I know it's going to be a member of a Domain.. whether a real AD domain or a Samba domain. I even left in the Google search markups since I'm in a hurry

Trolled from the SBS/MCE newsgroups from 'Stu':

[snip]

Hi gang,

As with everything like this - BE CAREFUL. I have done this and it does
work, although I now have a dedicated server for 3 MCE boxes on their own
workgroup - so I don't use it anymore.

Also, be aware of issues if you use My Documents redirection in SBS. In
that case, I would consider not using redirection, or using TweakUI to
change your MCE box's My Music etc... locations. Otherwise, the poor SBS
box will be syncing your music library, video library and photo library all
the time. Not too efficient if the library is big!

Good luck and let us know how you do.

Stu

Here's the hack:

Insert Windows XP CD.

Start > Run > X:\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons
(replace X: with the appropiate drive letter)

Acknowledge prompt by clicking 'Yes'.

Skip updating process by clicking 'Cancel' or by pressing 'Esc'

After installation, acknowledge success msg. by clicking 'Ok'

Start > Shutdown > Restart

At boot menu, select 'Microsoft Windows Recovery Console'

Select proper installation to log onto (default: 1) and press 'Enter'
(If prompted, enter Administrator password and press 'Enter')

Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'cd system32\config'

Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'copy SYSTEM C:\'

Type (without quotes) and press enter: exit

At boot menu, select 'Windows XP Media Center Edition'

Start > Run > Type: 'regedit' and press enter

Click on 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE'.

File > Load Hive...

Browse and select C:\SYSTEM

Specify key name 'BANANA' and click OK

Expand: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > BANANA > WPA > MedCtrUpg

On the right-hand side, double-click IsLegacyMCE value

Change selected value to 1 and click Ok. (THAT IS NOT AN L!)

Click on BANANA subkey (under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE).

File > Unload Hive. Confirm.

Start > Shutdown > Restart

At boot menu, select 'Microsoft Windows Recovery Console'

Select proper installation to log onto (default: 1) and press 'Enter'
(If prompted, enter Administrator password and press 'Enter')

Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'cd \'

Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'copy SYSTEM
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM'
(Yes, you want to overwrite - Go ahead and do it)

Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'del SYSTEM'

Type (without quotes) and press enter: 'exit'

At boot menu, select 'Windows XP Media Center Edition'

Join domain.

[/snip]