XBMC has been the favorite home theater computer software for advanced users for many years. The advantage of using a Linux system instead of Windows is that you get a fast booting computer that can be used as a media center immediately.
OpenELEC represents the latest endeavor in crafting a compact Linux distribution designed to transform your computer into a comprehensive media center. It seamlessly installs on most HTPCs boasting storage capacities below 32 GB. In the event of reboots or other glitches with OpenELEC, there's no need for concern, as it's possible to reinstall the entire operating system and media center in under 5 minutes. Let's delve into the step-by-step process.
1. Obtain OpenELEC
Commence by acquiring OpenELEC from their official website. A variety of builds are available; opt for OpenELEC Stable - Generic x86_64 Version:4.2.1.
2. Create a Bootable USB Drive
Prepare a USB stick for the installation process, labeling it as OPENELEC. Failure to label it may lead to installation issues. Uncompress the downloaded file using compression software like 7zip. On Windows, execute the application file (create_installstick), select the USB drive letter, and let the software create a bootable USB stick.
3. HTPC Installation
Insert the USB stick into your home theater PC, boot the system using the USB stick, and select the quick installation option from the loaded installer. Upon completion, reboot the computer. The entire installation process takes approximately 1 minute.
In just 5 minutes, including the download time, your XBMC media center is set up and ready for use.