Ok guys, this is a loaded question, 1st I am somewhat tech minded A+ certifiable; however, have lost touch with most new tech stuff x 2 years. Question: A friend gave me a Compaq Presario SR1010NX computer with 256 DDR memory, 40 gig hard drive 2.7 GHZ processor. Have XP Home from my old computer, although want to leave this on there for my sister as this will be her pc now. For mine, I have the Xp Home CD on it right now, which needs a key code in approx 22 days, and I need a new operating system and have always been intrigued with the Media Center type Xp Media Ctr or Vista. Which one should I go with XP Medi Center or Vista Home Premium My tv card is a Hauppage Win TV recordable card, onboard shared video memory, would the media center operating systems work with my hardware and I can get a media center remote and keyboard from an online site. Need help on this guys, time is running out? Thanks in advance!!!!

Stick with -- XP -- Media Center.

Thanks, and will my hardware work, the Hauppauge Win TV Card, and will the media center keyboard and remote from pricewatch work? Thanks!!!!

I have used both XP Media Centre and Vista Home Premium. My preferance is for Vista Home Premium - but only if you have all the correct Vista drivers for your hardware. Also do it as a clean install. In my experience Vista will not be stabe if you "cheat" by using any old XP or legacy drivers. When running correctly, my Vista machine out performs and is easier to use than the XP mashines. seanc

If by chance that you want to get vista premium you are going to have to get a new video card and also get atleast 2 gigs of ram or expect a slow response if you do upgrade to it. Jim R

XP will run OK with 256MB, but runs much better with 512MB (or more). Vista Home Premium needs at least 1GB & most recommend running 2GB (or more). http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pr... "And that's the fishing line, because Sharkboy said so!"

Vista will also put a dent on that 40GB HDD.