Windows 7: Media Centre Extender (Xbox 350)

Hi,



i have gone through the configuration to setup extender on my Windows 7 PC but no joy.

I have tried wirelessly and wired. Configured firewall with ports. Disconnected firewall on pc and router.

it goes through the setup but fails after library is found and added.

I found a thread attached and tried but no joy. It did however say my extender had been added but I could not see it in device manager.

Thread :
Solution

Run gpedit.msc. Go to Computer Configuration -> Administrative templates -> Windows Components -> Remote Desktop Services -> Remote Desktop Session Host -> Security.

Enable "Set client connection encryption level" & change encryption level to 'Client Compatible'.
Disable "Always prompt for password upon connection"

I'm guessing these settings don't only apply to Windows 7, but to Vista and XP media centers as well.
I have run out of ideas now.

I bought the brand new Xbox the other day just to stream my TV & movies when I move as my PC will be in a different room.

Can anyone advise before I go insane please?

Are you sure that the computer's Wifi receiver is working well??

Yes,

I have tried all connections and tested the network and it is fine.

i have found out it is Windows 7 firewall. When I switched it off in previous tests it was not making any difference but adjusting the sharing shown in other threads has cause the firewall to block it which is good news because I now know what it is.

My firewall is set to allow the extender so I am unsure why it is still blocking it.

Any ideas please?

Maybe you should check any disabled services. Type services.msc on Run or on the search bar on the Start Menu.This should display a list of services in your computer.

On the list of services, see which services have the startup type of Disabled. Make sure Media Center Extender Service is enabled. Right-click it on the list, choose Properties and change its startup type to Automatic. Click OK.

Restart your computer and see if your Xbox would now work with Media Center.

Good luck.

Ive setup quite a few, and other types of extenders. SOmetimes it helps to fully remove the configuration from BOTH the PC and the xbox. And then re-initiate teh setup, even trying from the opposite unit. If you started the setup from PC last time, start the process from the xbox next time. If you still have issues, remove the config from both sides. Uninstall WMC, reboot, re-install WMC, then start over. I have had that last step fix a few particularly troublesome installs.

I can't see any way to remove configuration fro the Xbox. When I uninstall the extender from windows via the media centre and reboot it appears to remove from the xbox unless I am missing something. Please elaborate if there is another option.

I have installed many times before myself and never had so much trouble as this one.

As I have said it appears that the firewall is not allowing the option to configure. It is configured manually but normaly when you install something and it is set correctly as it is the windows firewall will pop up and ask you if you want to allow it through and this is the issue that I am having. It works great with firewall off but if I switch on it blocks it.

Have you tried the solution I provided from my previous post above?? You did not clearly mention whether you've tried those steps.

Yes everything is enable which is why I find it strange. Maybe it will require me to install Windows 7 fresh again.

I have spend over a week tried to figure out why Windows Firewall connected fine to Xbox 360 on Windows 7 Ultimate x86 but not on the other Windows 7 Ultimate N x64 + Media Feature Pack. The 2nd one required me to shut off Windows Firewall. I hope what my solution will help anyone who received the same problems.

1. Check to see the Media Center Extenders predefined rule is already exist in your Windows Fire Wall by …
a. Startup Windows Firewall with Advanced Security in Start \ All Programs \ Administrative Tools \
i. If you don’ find it then startup the Windows Firewall in Control Panel and then select the Advanced Setting at your left pane
ii. If you really cannot find it then you can always type WF.msc at your Run Window


2. In the left pane click the Inbound Rules
3. Scroll down the rules if you find Media Center Extenders Rules group (see figure next) then your Firewall setting is alright, just follow the panels to add the rules in for the network you are in.



If you find them there and Windows Firewall still block your Xbox then you just have to figure out where it got disabled such as the “Allow programs to communicate through Windows Firewall” in Windows Firewall to see if Media Center Extenders is enabled for your home/private network.



4. If you don't fine them then that is the same problem as mine.
5. Click “New Rules” on your right Actions pane
6. Select Predefined as the Rule Type and scroll down the predefined rule groups. If you see the Media Center Extenders then your problem is easy just pick it follow the instructions for both inbound and outbound rules to deploy them.


7. If you don’t find the predefined rule group then you have the identical problem as mine. Copy following lines to a text file and save it as “Build Media Center Extenders predefined rule in your Windows Fire Wall.reg”
Media Center Extender Predefine Ruls for Windows Firewall.reg

8. Make sure the file name ended as “.reg” not “.txt”.
9. Now let’s apply it. If you have never done much Windows Registry update before please be careful. Make sure to back it up (Export) first so that you can always restore it.
Ok, simply double click the saved “.reg” file to update the registry. Now it will introduce the new “Media Center Extenders” into the Windows Firewall predefined groups.
10. Go back to step 3 to add new Inbound rules as well as outbound rules for Xbox 360.
11. Go to the Windows Firewall to make sure it is allowed. (I also found “Windows Media Center” here so I enabled that too.


12. Reboot the system. I would think reboot is not necessary but it worked only after I reboot.
13. Good luck. Hope this write-ups helps somebody since it took a whole week for me to study Windows Firewall to get it working finally without shutting off my Windows Firewall.
14. This procedure worked for me but I am not sure whether it is complte. Hope some Windows Security Experts with Registry knowledge can help to verify and correct or fill any missings.

Since I didn't see this mentioned anywhere in the thread, have you enabled and joined a HomeGroup?

This should configure the firewalls to 'trust' any device you put on the LAN. If you network is set to Work or Public, then the firewall will block incoming LAN traffic from these IPs.