Xbox 360: You cannot connect the Xbox 360 console to a Windows XP Media Center-based computer (911123)

THINGS TO TRY

Method 1

When interactive logon messages are used, the interactive logon message is initiated during the Media Center Extender logon procedure and prevents the procedure from completing.

Use the MMC manager to disable Interactive Logon for the Windows XP Media Center-based computer. Interactive Logon settings are defined within local or domain computer policies. To review and change these setting, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
2. In Group Policy, expand Local Computer Policy, expand Computer Configuration, expand Windows Settings, expand Security Settings, expand Local Policies, and then select Security Options.
3. Double-click Interactive logon: Message text for users attempting to log on, clear any text for this entry, and then click OK.
4. Double-click Interactive logon: Message title for users attempting to log on, clear any text for this entry, and then click OK.
5. On the File menu, click Exit to exit the Group Policy snap-in.

Method 2

The Xbox 360 console uses Fast-User Switching to connect to a computer that is running Windows Media Center. If Fast User Switching has been disabled, the Xbox 360 session will fail. To examine the status of Fast-User Switching, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type nusrmgr.cpl, and then click OK.
2. Click Change the way users log on or off.
3. Make sure that the Use Fast User Switching box is selected.
4. Click Apply Options.

Method 3

If you experience a session termination when you try to access My Videos, there may be some content in the folders that are shared with the Xbox 360 that is causing a delay in the session and an eventual termination.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. View the following default video folders that are shared with the Xbox 360:
   • <drive letter>:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\My Videos
   • <drive letter>:\Documents and Settings\Administrators\My Documents\My Videos
2. Move any content that would not be considered "video" content to a separate location on the hard drive.
3. Complete these same steps for any folders that were added after the first installation of the Xbox 360.

Method 4

Programs that are running on the system may be trying to send messages to the Xbox 360 when it has a session with the Media Center. Unauthorized messages will cause the session between the Media Center and the Xbox 360 to disconnect.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type eventvwr.msc, and then click OK.
2. Click Application, and then find any event where Error appears under Type and Media Remote Manager appears under Source.
3. Double-click each item that satisfies these two conditions to view the description of the event. Look for a description that is similar to the following:

   Unauthorized window was detected while running the Media Center Experience, with file name 'C:\PROGRA~1\........

   This message will report the program that is trying to send the message to the Xbox 360 console.
4. Remove or disable the notification service for the application that is listed under Description. For more information about how to remove or disable the notification service for the application, see the manual for the application. Or, contact the manufacturer of the application.

Method 5

Determine whether networking equipment is causing the session to end. To do this, connect the Media Center-based computer and the Xbox 360 to one other by using a network cable (straight-through or crossover).

If you can create and maintain the session in this environment, put the Media Center-based computer and the Xbox 360 back into the original environment, and then troubleshoot the network equipment between them. For example, you can troubleshoot the network equipment by configuring the firewall settings.

Method 6

Sometimes other media programs (such as Ahead Nero) that are installed on the Media Center-based computer can prevent the Xbox 360 from playing the content. These other media programs should be temporarily removed to determine whether they are causing the conflict.

Method 7

The correct firewall ports may not be open on the Media Centre-based computer. For more information about which firewall ports to open, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: