Well I finally have a workable solution for using Panasonic AVCHD files and I am in the process of renewing my romance with Media Composer.

I have read some posts that say that you should not update your windows installation because it could cause problems with MC6.

Since I only have 1 computer, I am setting up a dual boot so the I can keep MC6 happy.

My question is whether I should do all of the Windows updates as is normally done with a clean install or should I just install SP1 and forget about any updates for the OS? Do I never allow any windows updates?

Secondly, can I use the internet on MC6 boot?

I will be using Adobe CS5.5 on the same boot drive as well as several plug-ins.

Refer to the Avid Security Guidelines and Best Practices guide.

The latest is for November 2011, and has qualified all Windows updates, stating, "There are no exceptions this month".  I would do all available updates, except the nVidia driver if offered.

Once you have updated Windows, turn off  "Automatic Updates".  Periodically, check the site agin for recent news about Windows updates & patches.Internet connectivity is not inherently "dangerous".  It's surfing the net, or downloading software from unknow sites, that can be problematic.  Meanwhile, Internet connectivity "is" required to license certain software (or make it easier anyway).  You can disable a network NIC if desried for added safety.

Afain, SP1 is the only one officially supported, according to the latest on the knowledge base... (stating the obvious) you should not have auto updates turned on and only install them (manually) after they are officially blessed by Avid.

Many have a strict policy of not having their edit systems connected to the internet... I am not so anal about it, but, again stating the obvious, you don't want a virus rearing its ugly head while a client is looking over your shoulder during an edit session.

http://avid.force.com/pkb/LegacySearch?DocId=392115&ssdFilterCommunity15=1408&ssdFilterCommunity13=0&ssdFilterCommunity11=634&ssdFilterCommunity10=368&ssdFilter_SearchKeyWord=windows+service+pack&page=1&ssdSearchOperator=0&ssdFilterCommunity3=0&Hilite=windows+service+pack

Edprep2 for Windows 7 is now available here to help with optimising your Windows setup for Avid

"EdPrep is not available for MacOS, Unix, Linux, Xenix, Spandex, Kleenex or anything else you were going to ask about." [I needed a laugh.]

I wouldn't touch the program unless I know how to go back from what it changes.

It could lead to major problems if you don't know what you are doing.

"... unless I know how to go back from what it changes ..."

Hence, Acronis True Image Home, offered for free by both Seagate/Maxtor and Western Digital.  However, for either version, you must have at least one drive installed made by that manufacturer.

Seagate & Maxtor Version

Western Digital Version

But, hey, even at $39.00 ...

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I will confidently move on to finish the installation.

Here is a small step by step for older Acronis I wrote but it can be used for newer versions as well.

http://community.avid.com/forums/p/80165/447229.aspx#447229

George Angeludis:

wouldn't touch the program unless I know how to go back from what it changes

However maybe for not so confident people it is worth noting that it is written by an Avid employee and I believe used to setup at least some the Avid test rigs.

I mean I have tried it before some years and I couldn't enable the network back after

I changed a setting so I did reformat.

It was probably my mistake to do so and I don't blame the author at any stage.