Music added to monitored folders may not immediately update in Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (886842)

SYMPTOMS

When you add new music to folders that are monitored in Microsoft Windows Media Player, the updated changes may not appear immediately in Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. Depending on the size of the music library and on how many files are added, this update may take longer than expected.

CAUSE

When you create a media library, Windows Media Player monitors the referenced folders for any changes. Media Center shares the Windows Media Player media libraries.

The monitor process runs in the background and runs when there is not much activity on your computer. For example, the update may not start when your computer is very busy with other tasks, such as when the computer is recording multiple TV shows in Media Center.

Also, the update may not start if you use a network, or Universal Naming Convention (UNC), path, such as \\server\share_name for the monitored folder and if the network is very busy. Therefore, under these or similar conditions, the update may take longer than expected.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, temporarily disable the monitoring folder feature, and then manually update the libraries.

To disable the monitoring folder feature, follow these steps:

Start Windows Media Player.
Select Options on the Tools Menu.
Select the Library tab.
Select Monitor Folders.
Note the location of the monitored folder so that you can use the location again later.
Select the monitored folder, and then select Remove.
Select OK.

To manually update the libraries, follow these steps:

Start Windows Media Player.
Select Search for Media Files on the Tools menu or press the F3 key.
Select Browse in the Add to Library dialog box.
Locate the folder where the new media files have been stored, and then select OK.
Select New files only (fast), and then select Search.

To enable the monitoring folder feature again, follow these steps:

Start Windows Media Player.
Select Options on the Tools Menu.
Select the Library tab.
Select Monitor Folders.
Select Add, and then locate the monitored folder that you used earlier.
Select OK.

MORE INFORMATION

Media Center Technical Support

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/