James' Waffle Of The Day...
I found out I can use any Windows XP Home installation disc to install on any PC as long as I have a valid XP Home licence key for the PC it's being installed on. I have a Linux PC in the lounge for streaming media and recording TV but it was hardly ever used because Linux is such a pain in the arse. I had put the components inside a wooden box and thrown out the old case. Luckily I kept the panel with the Windows licence key sticker on.
So I installed Windows XP on the old computer and it's pretty much doing everything I want now.
Specs:
P4 2.53GHz
512MB PC2100
GeForce MX440 (It's an old PC!)
80GB 5,400rpm 2.5" HDD
After updating Windows and installing drivers and the usual stuff, I installed Media Portal on it. Media Portal can handle all media like Music, Video, Pictures, TV amongst doing other things. I spent a while setting it up to do things how I want and now it's fine after only one day. With Ubuntu on it before it would have taken a few months to get where I am now, then it would have automatically installed an update that fooked itself over.
If I put it into standby or hibernate, it will wake up to record a scheduled TV programme from the electronic programme guide, then once it's done recording it will go to sleep again. I've enabled Wake On LAN and installed VNC so I can control it from elsewhere while dad is watching football.
I'm quite pleased with it now.