Please help!

Media Center has worked flawlessly for months until recently (no new hardware or software installed BTW.) Now I keep getting the Windows Media Center Host Module Stopped Working message. The guide won't update. My recorded shows won't play. Live TV is ok and everything else in MCE seems to be working.

I've tried going through setup several times, but keep hanging on "Connecting to the internet" when installing the guide. I'm using the Windows firewall. Permissions for MSE are not the issue.

Scannow did not turn up any integrity issues with any files.

What's going on? I miss my Media Center DVR and Guide.

How do I fix this without reinstalling Vista?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Jeff

Have you tried System Restore to get you back to the system state when it last worked?

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1: Dimension 9200 - Vista Ult, 2.4GHz Q6600 Core2Quad, 4GB RAM, 160GB, 750GB, 500GB USB, Nvidia 8300GS, PVR-150, HDTV Wonder, Vbox 3560, X360, DMA2100

2: HP m376n - MCE 2005, 2.6 P4 w/HT, 1GB RAM, 250GB, 400GB USB HD, Nvidia 6200, Emuzed MAUI, X360

Unfortunately, I don't think that's an option. I didn't use MC for quite a while until recently. The restore points I have don't go back far enough to be of any use.

When I run MC setup, I'm able to connect to the net, the "This may take a few minutes..." dialog appears, and that's as far as it goes. I've let it run for about six hours with this message displayed (several times) but no luck getting the guide.

I've read about a new upgrade issued to OEMs to support DirecTV. I'm hoping when HP releases it, that may somehow fix the problem. Until then, my tuners and DVR are almost worthless.

Jeff

Have you looked at your Event Viewer, specifically the Windows Logs: System and Application for more detailed information as to the cause of the problem?

 

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1: Dimension 9200 - Vista Ult, 2.4GHz Q6600 Core2Quad, 4GB RAM, 160GB, 750GB, 500GB USB, Nvidia 8300GS, PVR-150, HDTV Wonder, Vbox 3560, X360, DMA2100

2: HP m376n - MCE 2005, 2.6 P4 w/HT, 1GB RAM, 250GB, 400GB USB HD, Nvidia 6200, Emuzed MAUI, X360

Here's the latest error description in the log:
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The description for Event ID 4 from source ehRecvr cannot be found. Either the component that raises this event is not installed on your local computer or the installation is corrupted. You can install or repair the component on the local computer.

If the event originated on another computer, the display information had to be saved with the event.

The following information was included with the event:

Pinnacle PCTV 4XXe Tuner
80070057

the message resource is present but the message is not found in the string/message table
=====

Now I know that event ID 4 is a general category for interrupted internet connection (or something similar,) but this doesn't make sense to me--I have dual Hauppauge tuners, not Pinnacle PCTV.

Does this mean anything to anyone reading this?

Thanks,

Jeff

Did your system ever have a Pinnacle tuner in it?  Some part of the system thinks it did and cannot find it.

But back to your problem...

You stated that you cannot get by the internet connection point of MC setup.  That concerns me and makes me think it may be a firewall or network card problem that is your major problem.  Make sure you turn off all firewalls.  Many antivirus programs include a firewall so make sure they are turned off.  Another option is to try a different net card in your computer.

Back to Pinnacle.  I assume that you have checked the Device Manager and there are no Pinnacle tuners listed, right?  If the tuner config is somehow screwed up, I would remove the tuner drivers for whatever tuners are there in Device Manager.  Then reboot and the system will re-discover them and re-install the drivers.

Good Luck!

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1: Dimension 9200 - Vista Ult, 2.4GHz Q6600 Core2Quad, 4GB RAM, 160GB, 750GB, 500GB USB, Nvidia 8300GS, PVR-150, HDTV Wonder, Vbox 3560, X360, DMA2100

2: HP m376n - MCE 2005, 2.6 P4 w/HT, 1GB RAM, 250GB, 400GB USB HD, Nvidia 6200, Emuzed MAUI, X360

I've been seeing the same error recently. I have no idea what it means, and I haven't found anything in the logs.

Any one know what the Host Module does?

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Ben
How good can it be, if it isn't HD?
Engadget HD

I've never had a Pinnacle tuner on this machine.

Connecting to the internet with MC is no longer a problem, so we can forget about the FW and virus stuff.

I think the problem has something to do with the Pinnacle issue. Anyone know what's going on? Maybe I should update my tuner drivers and see what happens.

This is frustrating.