The Live TV screen goes blank or the TV image freezes when you switch between users on a Media Center 2004-based computer (835384)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Fast User Switching feature of Microsoft Windows XP while you watch Live TV in Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, the screen may become blank, or the TV image on the screen may freeze. The Live TV feature may also stop responding to commands from the Media Center remote control.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Media Center cannot process the Fast User Switching feature correctly. With the Fast User Switching feature, users can switch sessions without closing Microsoft Windows, programs, or other services. Media Center cannot restore certain video devices after you use Fast User Switching for more than one user switch.

Fast user switching interrupts the Media Center display context. Media Center tries to recover from this error. However, this recovery process causes the TV tuner to enter into an inconsistent state and the TV image freezes or the screen becomes blank.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, quit and restart the Media Center.

STATUS

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post more information in this article when the information becomes available.
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about Fast User Switching, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

279765 How to use the Fast User Switching feature in Windows XP


Technical support for Media Center

Because Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition was included with your hardware device or system, the hardware manufacturer provides technical support and assistance for this software. Your manufacturer may have customized the installation with unique components such as specific device drivers and optional settings to maximize the performance of that manufacturer's hardware. If you require technical help with Windows XP Media Center Edition, contact your manufacturer directly because the manufacturer is best qualified to support the software that the manufacturer has installed on the hardware.

You can also visit the Windows XP Media Center Edition product information Web site at the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:1/30/2004
Keywords:kbpending kbBug KB835384 kbAudEndUser kbAudOEM
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