You receive a "Fast User Switching needs to be enabled" error message after you upgrade to Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (896470)

SYMPTOMS

If you upgrade to Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 from an earlier version of Media Center that is joined to a domain, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 retains the domain status and credentials. If you set up a Media Center Extender device while Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is joined to a domain, the setup works correctly. However, after you restart the Media Center-based computer, you receive the following error message:

Fast User Switching needs to be enabled

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 does not support joining to a domain. Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is designed as the foundation for a premier home entertainment system. Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 lets you share Media Center content with other locations in the home by using Media Center Extender devices. The Media Center Extender devices require concurrent connections which are available only by using Fast User Switching.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

Earlier versions of Media Center supported joining to a domain. If you upgrade to Media Center Edition 2005 from an earlier version of Media Center that is joined to a domain, Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 will retain the domain status and credentials. If you remove the computer from the domain to enable Fast User Switching for use with a Media Center Extender device, the computer cannot rejoin the domain. However, you may still be able to access domain resources that are shared on the network as long as the shared resource does not require that your computer name is a member of the domain.

REFERENCES

For more information about how to share a computer that has Fast User Switching enabled, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/fastswitch.mspx

For more information about how to enable Fast User Switching, visit the following Microsoft Web site: