The PC allocated for the task of being my HTPC was a 1.25GHz piece. Even with an updated graphics ard, added RAM and SATA disks the machine was too slow to run MediaPortal 1.0 RC3. Minimal requirement was 1.4 GHz. So I purchased a new machine. A Packard Bell AMD X3 based fairly look looking one which I spent a few nights bring into the shape I wanted. Reading my own posts I realise that a step to step guide might be appropriate;
- Install MediaPortal 1.0 (RC3 is the most recent at the time of writing)
If you want to use a shared card, you need this:
- Install MDAPI – HomePage here – File here
- Install WinCSC – File here
If you want to be able to access the machine via web
- Install MP WebInterface – Homepage here – File here
Special credits must go to Heerford – a genuine DVB hero! he provides for example the Electronic program Guice (EPG) that I am soon to get running 
- Install EPG Service – Homepage – File here
Interesting post in public forum
- Here