My problem was solved by correcting a duplicate IP address and forcing a download of an Xbox update by connecting to Xbox Live. I discuss here.

I have read through all of these threads (I think)... My head is spinning.  It does not matter what I try I keep getting the same error: xbox 360 was unable to prepare a connection to the windows vista media center.  I am using a desktop running Vista Ultimate.  I have tried taking the 360 and the Media Center off the house network (no domain - workgroup only)  I have hooked up a new router.  I have turned off all firewall and virus protection.  I have reloaded once.  I was able to get a error 209 and an error code 0x80072efd ONCE!  Then that went away.  I am back to square one.  This is absolutely CRAZY.  I have also tried setting up Wireshark to see if I see anything interesting - nothing that I can see there.  Suggestions anyone? - besides tossing this stuff out the window???????????????

 

Thanks!

 

Have you tried the steps in this KB: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932342?

If that doesn't work, please pull up your event log for Media Center and tell me what errors and messages you are seeing at the time of the issue.
(Start-->event viewer-->application and service logs-->media center)

Maybe this will shed some light. Hang in there, I know this can be very frustrating.

v0rtexx:

1) Uninstalled the MCE from Windows MC and Uninstalled software from the XBOX 360. (Xbox Article on Removal)
2) Made sure the user MCX1 was deleted and that I cleared out the certificiates. (Microsoft Article on Removal)
3) Disjoined my Windows box from the domain and rebooted.
4) Created a new Computer OU in my AD tree and made sure to block inheritance on group policy objects as well as ensure there were no links to the default domain policy in place. This makes sure that no GPO properties are applied to the computers located in this container.
5) Logged in with a local Administrator account on the Windows box and rejoined it to the domain. (don't reboot)
6) Once the computer was registered it now shows up in AD in the "Computers" OU. If you had it in a custom OU prior to this, check that OU since AD is pretty smart and will sometimes put things back where they were. Move the computer to the blocked OU and now reboot it.
7) Upon reboot, login as the local administrator and run your MCE setup again. It should work fine this time.
8) Logout and log back in as your regular user. Your account profile settings should be just fine. Since your SID never changed from the domain, it will match you right back up where you need to be and your preferences and such should still be fine. If you're paranoid about this, feel free to back up your profile prior to playing with this.

I can confirm that this solution works perfectly, thanks for taking the time to post it. I also had to change some NTFS permissions on the shared folder that houses all of my media since the account that my MCE runs under was just a local computer account and thus had no domain permissions. I think it's pretty ridiculous that you basically have no access to the service account that the MCE creates on the machine...can't even tap into the RDP session to make changes. It's a huge headache, but the end result is worth it.

I have a somewhat different issue with which I think you all can help.  I posted this elsewhere in the forum without getting much traffic, so I hope posting here helps.

Ever since I replaced my dead launch 360 Pro with a new Falcon Elite, I’ve had problems with the Media Center Extender functions of the console.  The new 360 is connected to my Samsung ln46a950 via HDMI, while the old console was connected via component.  The prior configuration worked fine with Media Center Extender, but the current configuration doesn’t.

When I select the Media Center option on the 360, it shows the “contacting” screen briefly.  In the prior configuration, the Media Center UI would almost instantly appear on the screen.  Now, the Media Center UI eventually shows up, but usually after a few minutes of a blank screen (about 3 min. or more sometimes).  The Xbox also now has issues streaming content through Media Center, and is generally running slowly.

I’ve run the Network Performance Monitor on both the PC and the 360.  On the 360, I’m told that I have “marginal” performance, with the occasional "acceptable" mixed in there.  The bar graph shows green in the HDTV “range.”  The PC, on the other hand, says that I have “poor” performance, with only red bars showing on the graph.  How can they have such different readings?

I don’t think there’s a problem with my router or wireless adapter, either.  I can stream anything through the NXE UI just fine, and with my router set for UPnP, the Xbox Live test shows an “Open” NAT.  In other words, I don’t seem to have any trouble with the console’s other network functions.

 

I’ve also tried to put the Xbox outside of the router’s DMZ to improve performance, but that hasn’t seemed to make a difference for the Media Extender function.

 

Here is the other hardware/software I'm using:

   1.   Dell XPS 420 desktop (Quad Core, 3GB RAM)

   2.   Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router (F5D8230-4)

         a.   Connected to the aforementioned desktop computer directly.

         b.   Every other device, including the Xbox, is wirelessly connected.

   3.   Windows Vista Home Premium

   4.   Windows Firewall is enabled

   5.   Trend Micro PC-cillin Internet Security 14 Personal Firewall is enabled (Home mode is being used—less secure, and thus, restrictive)

   6.   Under “Network and Sharing Center” I have the following settings enabled:

         a.   Network discovery: ON

         b.   File Sharing: ON

         c.   Public folder sharing: ON

         d.   Printer sharing: OFF

         e.   Password protected sharing: OFF

         f.     Media sharing: ON

 

When I had the “Media Sharing” option switched on before, I couldn’t get past the “contacting” screen, so I turned off that setting to have streaming done through Media Center.  However, turning that off hasn’t helped this time.  Besides, I expect to be able to have both streaming options available at the same time anyway.  Also, having the firewall settings described above worked before as well.  I’ve noticed this time, too, that being logged into XBL when I attempt to start Media Center makes it take longer for the UI to show up.

 

My brother has a Xbox in the house that has also been set up as an extender, and the same issues are happening on his console.  I assume this means that my Xbox isn't the probelm, my desktop configuration is.

 

Please give me any and all advice you can, and thanks in advance for your help.

  

I would always suggest you go wired whenever possible. Perhaps the WiFi interference increased since the time you last you used your Xbox (maybe neighbors fired up WiFi/cordless phones in the same channel)?

Consider trying your configuration by pulling a long ethernet cable from your router to your Extender and repeat your steps. I suspect you'll see improved performance.

You might also check the amount of WiFi noise in your area by verifying how many wifi networks you can access from the same location where your Extender is situated.

Lasty, check your NIC link speed and try different adjustments. By any chance is it configured to 100 Mbps full duplex manual?

Thanks for the reply.  I can't really try the wired option because of where the router and modem are located in my house.  Going wired would probably help, but with all due respect, when you pay $100 for the wireless adapter, you expect the Xbox to perform all functions with that device being used.  Besides, I've always used the wireless option, and that worked well with the prior Xbox. 

I did try your suggestions, however.  I placed my laptop a few feet from the Xbox, and my wireless network was the only one shown.

Also, I changed my NIC link speed from "Auto Negotiation" to "100 Mbps/Full duplex."  That actually seemed to make the performance worse.  Plus, the automatic option sets it at 100 Mbps/Full duplex anyway.

The problem seems to stem from the prior option to have "Media sharing" on.  I've actually turned it off now, but the Xbox still shows the computer in the NXE UI for streaming music, videos, and pictures.  Obviously, when I try to select the computer, it won't connect.  If I can't connect to it, why would it still be showing up?  Is there some way to delete any settings for sharing on the Xbox itself, and then start over?  I feel that if the Xbox was no longer trying to connect to the computer, Media Center would work correctly.  Of course, shouldn't I be able to stream with both options anyway?

Please let me know what else I can do.

 

Can anyone provide some additional advice?  I'm sure someone's seen this before.

I'm not sure how to generate log files, but with some guidance, I could do that if it would help diagnose my problem.

Thanks.

I wrote this for SevenForums, but I'd like to share it here because I was reading through all these solution for my problem as well.

I went through the same problems. I could stream everything by using a network share, but windows media center would not connect. Windows Media Center setup would complete all but the last step when adding an extender; the step that says "Connecting to your extender...". Completion of setup would state: "Your Media Center Extender was set up successfully, but failed to connect."

When connecting from the Xbox 360, it would stay at "Connecting..." until it states, "Connection Failed..."

I'm using Windows 7 RTM. Avast antivirus on, Windows firewall on. PC and Xbox 360 wired to a switch. Switch connects to router. No Windows settings changed, as the setup does everything for you.

I think media center creates an RDP session to connect. The connection it makes is not compatible with the default Windows 7 RDP security settings.

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.

Hi, would you mind please explaining some of these steps in more detail. 

Step 3)  How do I "disjoin the box from the domain?"

Step 4)  How do I Create a new Computer OU? (I'm not even sure what OU stands for) How do I block inheritance on group policy objects and and ensure there are no links to default domain policy in place?

This whole dilemma is crazy since my xbox 360 was was connecting to my media center before.  Now, after a hard drive reformat and a reinstall of Vista Ultimate 64, I can't get the darn thing to work. 

I have nothing else on my machine right now except Vista Ultimate 64 SP1.  (Tried going though all the updates before including SP2 and my problem was not solved)

I can use the media sharing from my PC to Xbox 360 with no problem.  It's only when I connect to Media Center do I get the "Xbox 360 has unexpectedly disconnected..." message. 

Thanks for your help.