In part one of our Build a silent Media Center feature we looked at the components you'll need to bolt together a top-notch system.

This month, we'll guide you through the actual physical process of putting together a powerful and silent PC; we'll explain how to install the software and how get the system working. Simply follow the step-by-step instructions below (skip to the bottom of the page to print it out) and refer to the accompanying walkthrough pictures on the right.

Everybody ready? Then we'll begin.

Installing the hardware

Installing the Media Center Edition software

We've chosen to install Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, or MCE for short, as we believe it's the most powerful and easy to use front-end for a media PC.

Microsoft doesn't sell an official retail version, but the bare 'OEM' discs (designed for PC manufacturers) are on sale from many sources including eBuyer for £76.27 - see www.ebuyer.co.uk. While you're shopping there remember to buy the Microsoft Media Center remote control for £21.73 if you haven't already got one.

Like other OEM products, you won't get any instructions with these MCE discs, just a pair of CDs in a sleeve. These actually include a full version of Windows XP which is installed with the MCE software itself - there's no way of separating the two, so you're looking at a fresh installation of Windows which will wipe your system clean. And while the complete installation unsurprisingly resembles one for standard Windows XP, there's a few key differences to be aware of, along with a couple of tweaks to ensure it works smoothly. Here's what you need to do.

Adjusting the BIOS settings

Before kicking off the Windows installation, you'll need to adjust a couple of settings in your PC's CMOS Setup utility. To see these options, press the Delete key as your PC starts up and a menu will appear a few seconds later. The menus vary between different motherboards, but there will always be a section for Power Management. Use the keyboard arrows and Enter keys to navigate these menus.

The first setting you'll need to change is the Suspend Type from S1 to S3 or STR - this will allow your media PC to go into sleep mode in complete silence, while consuming the least power. Next you'll need to Enable the option for USB wakeup from S3 - this will allow the USB remote control to wake up your system. Press Escape to return to the main menu, then under the Advanced Bios Settings menu, change the first boot device to CDROM.

Now insert MCE CD 1 into your DVD drive and choose the option to Save and Exit Setup. Your PC will restart and ask you to press any key to boot from CD - do so and the Windows installation will begin. Now follow the on-screen instructions.

A short while later, Windows will ask for your Regional and Language options. It's crucial to change the location and language from US to UK in order for MCE to later download the correct TV schedules. Similarly after entering your name and serial code, make sure the time and time zone are correct.

A few moments later the Network options will appear. Select Typical Settings, then enter your Workgroup name if you already have one you'd like to connect your media PC to. If you're an advanced networking user with a Domain, now will be your only easy opportunity to enter the details. The installation will then proceed, asking for CD 2, but a short while later you'll be prompted to insert the CD labelled Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 - see screen. Worryingly the OEM pack doesn't come with this CD, but the installation can continue if you simply reinsert CD 1. Windows will then complete its installation.

Installing the drivers