How to Use your Xbox 360 as a Media Center with Windows XP Media Center Edition

We continue this series on using your Xbox 360 as a media center by providing instructions for users with Windows XP Media Center and Windows Vista Basic.

Instructions

Determine If You Have Update Rollup

1. Click "Start."

2. Right-click on "My Computer."

3. Select "Properties" to display information about the Windows version you are running, along with any prominent service packs or updates. You'll immediately know if you have the Update Rollup or not.

Installing Update Rollup

1. 

   Follow the link found in the Resources section below and look for the text that says Update Rollup 2 in blue print, right beneath the picture.

2. Download and install the update.

After Installing Update Rollup 2

1. Download and install Windows Media Player 11 or Zune if you do not already have either one.

2. See Part 1 for instructions on Windows Media Player 11 and Part 2 for Zune.

3. Alternatively, download and install Windows Media Center Extender. Windows Media Extender performs the same function as Windows Vista, allowing you to share media with your 360 directly through Windows without using Zune or Windows Media Player.

Sharing Media With Windows Vista Basic

1. Find Part 1 of this article, and follow the instructions for using Windows Media Player 11 to stream content to your 360. Media Player 11 is packaged with Vista Basic, so you won't need to download it unless you deleted it at some point.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are running a Web browser other than Internet Explorer 5, you may be prompted to change your browser or go to the Microsoft Downloads page. The latter option is the easiest way of obtaining this update.