Media Center Extenders boot into a blank screen when using Windows 8 Pro

Windows Media Center extenders boot to a blank screen when using windows 8 pro

Background: 

- Went ahead and updated one of my main machines to Windows 8 yesterday now that Media Center is out.

- This machine is my HTPC and has one Media Center Extender attached.

- Everything was working fine prior to installing Windows 8

- After reconnecting the extender to the new media extender installation, etc.   When the Extender connects it takes me to a blank screen when it should be displaying the usual Green Media Center Logo and taking me to the main menu.

- When I go back to the windows 8 machine, I can connect to the extender, status shows connected good, I can run things like the bandwidth test, etc. so it seems pretty clear that the extender connected up just fine but something in Windows 8 is preventing it from completing the final stages of launching.....

This appears to be a common behavior.  I suppose I should have double-checked prior to installing windows 8..... but understood media center was unchanged with Windows 8 so really did not expect a problem with that.  See a couple links below to others with the same problem using a variety of media extender hardware.

My Hardware.  Custom built HTPC Intel 2500K, Nivida 560, 8GB running Windows 8.  Media Center Extender:  Linksys DMA2100. 

Like all other media center extenders the vendors no longer support the hardware but up until Windows 8 they continue to work wonderful.  Problem is I can't call them and ask what you doing to support windows 8.

See below for others on the web complaining.  Problems I see right of the bat are with Linksys and HP Extenders.  I gather Xbox's may be working - surprise surprise but I don't really need/want an Xbox in my bedroom:-)  

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-hardware/my-media-center-extender-is-not-working-in-windows/1717dafc-39ef-4908-bd61-c8334eebca0e

http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/viewtopic.php?f=49&p=31744

 

October 28th, 2012 11:59am

dma2100 confirmed so far not working with w8pro + free mc key upgrade, blank screen after setup, I guess ms is trying to make us buy an xbox, which will never happen for me. restored w7ultimate image back, 2xcable card tuners, back in business in 10 minutes.
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October 28th, 2012 3:29pm

Thank for confirming my problem.  Hopefully someone from Microsoft will reply with a solution.  I'm not quite ready to fall back (wife and kid may make me), but like you would take me 10-15 minutes to fall back to Win 7 and call Win 8 a failure from an HTPC perspective. 
October 28th, 2012 4:02pm

XBOX no longer works as an extender either.

Even deleting and reconfiguring the Xbox produces errors after using the Media Center key on Win 8 Pro.

Sucks, I built a $1500 HTPC and really screwed the pooch upgrading to Windows 8, Microsoft's support site has been down for 3 days now. If I can't get an answer, I'm wiping it and putting Linux and XMBC on it.

They really screwed the HTPC owners over on this one.

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October 28th, 2012 5:59pm

Interesting, one would have thought MS would have tested Xbox's as media extenders as they are by far the most popular, current and of course still supported by MS.   Thanks for confirming the problem is broader then I thought.....

MS any solutions?

October 28th, 2012 6:27pm

Well isn't this a coincidence  - I have the same issue with my dma2100... and after several restarts of the unit and pounding of the various keys on the remote in utter frustration (because that is the only source of TV in my bedroom) I hit the 'live TV' button and it came to life. well, sort of - I can watch live TV, pause, fwd etc... but with no screen prompts/displays. This is enough (barely) for my purposes in the bedroom - so I'm very happy to have stumbled on that key :)

My 2 X-Boxes work fine too!

Give it a try and let me know if it worked for you too!

Rocco

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October 28th, 2012 8:58pm

I have the same problem with my two HP Media Center Extenders.  When I tried restarting Win 8 Media Center, I got "Invalid Application. Unable to launch "HP Remote Solution". 

When I cycle power on the extenders, it flashes through the resolution screen (I am unable to change the resolution from 1080i, so I don't know if 720 would help or not), I get the WMC opening screen for a few seconds, then a black screen.

I was able to get a recorded program to play by randomly punching buttons on the remote, but this definitely isn't going to hack it.  How can we get our $40 back?

October 28th, 2012 9:31pm

Well your getting a bit further than me.  I just get a blank screen.  The WMC opening screen does not come up nor does the audio associated with it.

After the box idles for a while, the screen saver on mine comes up.  Hey need MS has given me a screen saver to watch in my bedroom.  Neato

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October 28th, 2012 11:44pm

Interesting.  I've heard one or two others say LiveTV seems to work - at least a bit.

I don't have a TV card in my media center PC - only stream movies, etc. to the bedroom - so LiveTV don't help me a lot.

MS.  Please help us all.

October 28th, 2012 11:46pm

I have the exact problem with my Linksys DMA2100 Media Center Extender under Windows 8. The main use for my PC is for streaming recorded TV programs to my Media Center Extender for watching on a large screen TV. I went back to Windows 7 and everything works fine now. I will "sit" on my copy of Windows 8 until Microsoft solves this problem.
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October 30th, 2012 11:55am

I found this thread this morning that mentions a possible solution - or at least points to the root of the problem - but I've yet to figure out exactly what he refers to.

  1. The DMA2100 uses a windows vista version of remote desktop services to open a session to your PC.
  2. I had to make sure that using the PC or laptop TPM hardware for login was disabled and that the login welcome screen was turned off. Only the standard windows login is compatible.

In my case my HTPC PC does not have a TPM so that isn't the problem. 

I looked around but didn't see an option for disabling the welcome screen on remote sessions.  I believe what the poster is referring to is disabling the metro interface which as we all know is a MS no no.  At the time of this post the poster was using the release candidate for which there was a hack at the time to boot directly to the desktop.  Anyway I spawned an RDP connection from another machine to the media PC and when doing so noted that if no one was logged onto the media PC at the time the remote session would launch directly to metro meanwhile if someone was logged onto the remote machine and at the desktop a RDP session would launch directly to the desktop taking over the existing session.  So I imagine the poster was onto something in that the Media Center Extender is likely being presented with the metro interface upon login and doesn't know what to do with it.... Not sure why the live TV button is working for some but I imagine there is some control sequence that command matches that works in metro. 

So the leading question might be.  Although MS forces the metro interface upon login to a machine, is there a reason why a remote session device must go to the metro welcome screen upon login or a way to disable for remote sessions for devices such as media center extenders? (I suspect MS won't allow this).  So in the alternative, seems like may have to investigate what control sequence is necessary to get from metro to the desktop, maybe it can be put into a log-in script for the remote machine or the control sequence might some how be invoked by the extender if a pre-existing button sends a similar code - long shot but the live tv button is appearing to do something of the sorts for other posters.

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_cp/problems-with-a-linksys-dma-2100-extender-black/492b9c05-bc56-4e5a-874d-7be9a2d4e3dd

Thoughts???

Still no reply from MS.  Their 48 hours to reply to a priority TechNet subscriber is running out.

October 30th, 2012 2:49pm

 I ran up my install of Win8 Pro last night and ran into these exact issues as well. Its a shame that Media Centre and the MC extenders have lost so much of MS focus.I know so many ppl that use MC and they are all candidate to upgrade but they wont be until the issues are sorted.

I really hope that these issues are sorted as currently its a real step backwards in features and functionality from a HTPC perspective to upgrade to Win8!


  • Edited by auswally Tuesday, October 30, 2012 11:45 PM
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October 30th, 2012 11:44pm

Same problem here with Win 8 pro and two DMA2200 extenders.  They both boot into a blank screen.  Wife is not happy.  "I just had to have Windows 8."
November 1st, 2012 9:10pm

Yep.... I'm figuring on rolling back to Windows 7 this weekend. 

Wife isn't happy she can't watch movies in the bedroom anymore

Waste a money paying for TechNet... MS is supposed to treat these forums with a priority yet zero reply.

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November 2nd, 2012 3:49am

My Linksys media extender failed with Win8 also.  It was really frustrating.  I was able to install the PLEX media server on my PC and stream the WMC recorded video to my Roku set-top box.  I actually like this better than the media extender, as I had a Roku anyway and I no longer need the extender just for talking to WMC.  Granted, this is only a solution if you are willing to buy a Roku (or similar) unit, but it's proven well worth the money for me and it does not depend on MicroSoft to provide any fixes.
November 5th, 2012 3:34pm

Thanks for the suggestion, As you say doesn't solve the problem but offers a potential alternative as MS clearly isn't stepping up to their responsibility to Priority TechNet subscribers to even respond to this thread.

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November 6th, 2012 1:09am

I would like to add that I am also having the same problem. I have a very similar configuration with a DMA2100. I know Ceton has the Echo that would potentially work, but there should be some compatibility mode in Windows that would get it to behave with an older extender.

On the other hand, I noticed that I have not watched any protected content in the last few months, so if I just have to move to MythTV or another Linux solution, that may be the direction I head. Will you keep me from switching Microsoft?

November 7th, 2012 6:46pm

I am having the exact same problem using an HP MediaSmart Connect x280n Media Receiver (Extender). Where does HP come up with their product names? The Windows Compatibility Center says this device is compatible with Windows 8 Pro. I would think that this is a bug that Microsoft could fix with a hotfix.
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November 9th, 2012 3:27pm

Yeah, but... Windows compatibility center seems to be consensus/social driven, not necessarily MS verified.  For example my DMA2100 reflects a "?" with two folks voting it as compatible, 3 have voted the DMA 2200 as being not compatible, one has voted the HP x280n compatible, one has voted the dlink dsm-750 as not compatible.  So we have a mixed bag of compatible/not compatible votes but I've yet to find anyone who has been successful in getting any extender to work save an xbox (other than the LiveTV comments above .and. I've successfully got mine to play music tracks but with a blank screen its difficult at best to choose what music you want to listen to:-( )
November 10th, 2012 1:20am

Looks like Ceton Corp is going to be releasing a new Windows Media Extender to the general market that will be Windows 8 Compatible.  You can pre-order your extender on NewEgg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815706003

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November 14th, 2012 12:14am

I actually planned to buy a couple of those, but I don't think it's the right decision for me to continue to invest in the WMC eco-system if there isn't some reasonable backward compatibility. It's not like I'm trying to connect a cheap, 15 year old printer from some generic manufacturer. Whatever changed broked functionality for almost every extender that was ever made. Would you buy a new television if it didn't work with your 5 year old XBOX, your 6 year old surround sound system, your 7 year old DVD player?

I do highly recommend products from Ceton though (I'm a happy owner of an InfiniTV PCI card).

November 14th, 2012 1:46am

I've been watching this thread on thegreenbutton.net also, it looks like the same situation is occurring with the Ceton Echo which (hopefully) will be supported by Win8.  Maybe if they find a way to make the Echo work, the same resolution will work for the other kinds of extenders.

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November 19th, 2012 10:36pm

Same boat - linksys dma2200 that won't display a menu. Windows 8 Pro on a hyper-v box. I've tried installing .Net 3.5 frameworks, uninstalling media center and reinstalling, doing the setup as admin, removing requirement of NLA for remote desktop, disabling firewall, explicitly adding the MCX extender account to admin group, etc... No Joy.
November 21st, 2012 9:50am

Same problem with my DMA2100 I agree with most people it may be the new RDP 8.0 although it doesn't help even turning off NLA makes no difference and just added MCx's and MCE into the firewall rules as they were not enabled still the same admittently I use it for live TV but no menu is useless if its the start menu issue this could be tested but modifying the registry but I'm hoping for a resolution first as its a dirty way to do things for little gain.

Microsoft is notoriously bad in responding to Technets.

If you are subscribed as a premium customer you can usually raise support calls by the phone and get 2 per year of subscriptions although this goes to India and it can take some time for the staff to understand what your query actually is.

Cisco unfortunately are no longer making the MCX's but it is bizarre that MCE win 8 will even allow you to add it.

I Hope Microsoft / Cisco maybe could work together on a resolution although I doubt this will happen...  even acknowledging the issue would be helpful!

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November 27th, 2012 9:44pm

For me the same problen using a Linksys extender with Windows 8, so I've rolled back to Windows 7 again.

But today Microsoft released an important  RDP 8.0 update for Windows 7.0 RC1.

So from now I think windows 7 will not support the Linksys extenders anymore!

Till I,m sure I will not intall this update (KB2592687)






  • Edited by Wboer Wednesday, November 28, 2012 2:50 PM
November 28th, 2012 2:42pm

I have a HP MediaSmart 280N Extender and also a HP HDTV with built in extender and both are responding exactly at described above, blank screen after setting them up.  And I also don't need a 360 Xbox in my bedroom.  

Has anyone heard back from MS that they acknowledge the issue?

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November 28th, 2012 5:40pm

For me the same problen using a Linksys extender with Windows 8, so I've rolled back to Windows 7 again.

But today Microsoft released an important  RDP 8.0 update for Windows 7.0 RC1.

So from now I think windows 7 will not support the Linksys extenders anymore!

Till I,m sure I will not intall this update (KB2592687)

That update in no way breaks extenders on Windows 7. I personally don't believe the issue is related to the updated RDP protocol 8.0, extenders connect and use the much older RDP 5.2 protocol. It's much more likely the issue is tied to the new start menu / application registration on Windows 8 or perhaps Terminal Server (Remote Desktop Services) settings. I installed the RDP 5.2 client and was able to successfully connect to Windows 8, so again I don't believe the newer RDP 8.0 has anything to do with it - extenders are negotiating a much older protocol.
November 28th, 2012 6:29pm

I have a HP MediaSmart 280N Extender and also a HP HDTV with built in extender and both are responding exactly at described above, blank screen after setting them up.  And I also don't need a 360 Xbox in my bedroom.  

Has anyone heard back from MS that they acknowledge the issue?

I escalated a ticket into MS about a month ago. I was assigned an incident number etc. received a call from an analyst indicating she was 'owning the issue' and would be back with me in a couple days..... Its been a month now and as such I escalated the call again last night via customer service.  I didn't have the chance to call customer service directly as yet so I did so via e-mail - as such it will be 24-48 hours before I hear back again hopefully with some sort of status.  If I find the time I'll call MS directly tomorrow.

In the meantime, I purchased a WD-Live TV streamer which is on trial in my bedroom :-)  It can play virtually any format directly from my server with out the need of an intermediary box such as media server (along with pickup Netfilix, Hulu, etc).  The interface is a little klunker than media center and the internal wifi radio antennas are not as strong as the Linksys external antenna.  Either way I'm still looking to fix the problem as even if I keep the WD-Live TV streamer, I'd just use the Linksys extender in another room.  Have not decided as yet.  Unlike some of you I have a choice as I don't use the LiveTV function / cable cards to stream TV to my media center extenders, but I rather just stream media from my central server to the remote TVs. 

Either way I'm very disappointed with MS's meeting its commitment to TechNet subscribers to at least get back with us. 

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November 29th, 2012 12:39am

For me the same problen using a Linksys extender with Windows 8, so I've rolled back to Windows 7 again.

But today Microsoft released an important  RDP 8.0 update for Windows 7.0 RC1.

So from now I think windows 7 will not support the Linksys extenders anymore!

Till I,m sure I will not intall this update (KB2592687)

That update in no way breaks extenders on Windows 7. I personally don't believe the issue is related to the updated RDP protocol 8.0, extenders connect and use the much older RDP 5.2 protocol. It's much more likely the issue is tied to the new start menu / application registration on Windows 8 or perhaps Terminal Server (Remote Desktop Services) settings. I installed the RDP 5.2 client and was able to successfully connect to Windows 8, so again I don't believe the newer RDP 8.0 has anything to do with it - extenders are negotiating a much older protocol.

Its more than the start menu (that's clearly part of the problem).  I've blown the start menu away in my testing, when the start menu is disabled the extender gets further - rather than just going to a blank screen right off the bat I get the green button launch page and notification of connection to the workstation, etc. but the screen eventually goes blank and the extender menu is never presented.  So as others have mentioned I think the log-in and subsequent command sequences/order the extender has to give the remote machine via the RDP session have changed.   If memory serves me right (not sure) there may be some hooks into media player so I wonder if there are some impacts caused by MS pulling many of the codecs from Media player such that they work only in Media Center.
November 29th, 2012 12:47am

I just wanted to let you guys know I have opened a case with Microsoft about this problem and they told me that they will see if this problem could be solved and that they will be in contact with me in about a week.

I will keep you posted on what happens.

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November 29th, 2012 6:16am

I just wanted to let you guys know I have opened a case with Microsoft about this problem and they told me that they will see if this problem could be solved and that they will be in contact with me in about a week.

I will keep you posted on what happens.


Well that makes two cases.  My case has been open for ~45 days.   I'm told the case has been escalated to the program manager.  So there is some hope, we have yet to be told the extenders will not be supported but rather, I'm being told the problem is being worked.
November 29th, 2012 5:12pm

I have just been off the phone with Microsoft and I was told that my D-Link DSM-750 might not compatible, but that is not the final answer, they told me that the programers are still working on this issue and they hope it will be resolved soon.  But as for me I've had enough with Windows 8, I'm going back to Windows 7.
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December 3rd, 2012 3:00am

Pete, Hi! I have the same exact problem my install with Windows 8 Pro with The NEW media center add-on using a separate key code which is used foe activation process only to add-on to my version of Windows 8 Pro. I can launch Windows on my desktop and it finds all my audio-video tv etc. Everything plays fine on the desktop listening and visually playing ok not using my wireless Linksys DMA-2200 BSICALLY SAME UNIT AS THE DMA 2100 but, has an built -in dc player.

I power up my TV and select media center a s source, power on media center, get main media center screen, enter setup, verify all wireless network settings are in tact online and media center is online and working as usual (past). Then try and play any media, audio, video, pictures etc. BAM! Blank Screen! I have tried everything known to man. unplugged unit, reset, cold boot, verify firewall settings.... no avail, just the same symptom! Using a windows 7, vista etc and Linksys media works fine , as usual for about 3 year's since I purchased the Linksys-Cisco Product. I will continue to try and research this isolated common Microsoft-Linksys-Cisco Hardware/Software conflict using Windows 8 Pro Pack/Media Center.

Just thought I'd jump in here and le ya know you and many others are NOT ALONE with this same problem.  If anyone had any further idea's , ore helpful faq's please e-mail me at dr1cpu@gmail.com. Also I will continue to check the postings for any updates on this issue. Be safe, take care and best wishes, Gene from the Atlanta, GA area.

December 5th, 2012 5:01am

I too am having this issue with my Linksys DMA 2100 extender. I was very disappointed to upgrade to Win8 and find out that the extender would only show a black screen. I had to reformat and reinstall Windows 7.

I know that Microsoft is trying to drop all support for WMC but this is ridiculous. Nothing was changed with media center except that now extenders (besides the XBOX) don't work. You'd think that this problem would have been fixed in the beta, since searching has found threads reporting this issue existed before the final release.

I use my computer as a DVR and have a cable card so that I can record premium content and not have to pay the cable company an arm and a leg for DVR service and boxes. I will not pay to upgrade to any new versions of Windows unless Media Center remains and is functional!

If anyone finds a workaround please let me know. I would like to put Windows 8 back on my computer.

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December 11th, 2012 9:36pm

I noticed a bunch of OS updates come through yesterday, one of which was a .Net update.  I had high hopes that this was MS resolving this issue.  I tried to setup my DSM-750 again and no luck.  Interestingly, the setup process seemed to improve....for instance, I did not get an error message the first time when it was searching for the extender.  This time, setup was a breeze, but still the black screen.

The fact that this has been broken for almost two months, with no official word from MS, shows that they really don't care about this product.  Really unprofessional if you ask me, and will only fuel Windows decline in market share.  Media Center's greatness is the only reason I stay with Windows as opposed to going over to Ubuntu.

-Mark

December 14th, 2012 2:16pm

Please continue to share your experiences on this thread. Also call Microsoft and express your concern. If we call once a day they will have to address the issue the info is below. I love my WMC HTPC, this is the last *** I can take. Remember this is a payed service now. To contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support, telephone (800) MICROSOFT (642-7676). In Canada, call (877)568-2495. Microsoft Customer Service hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 5:00 AM - 9:00 PM Pacific Time Saturday and Sunday, 6:00 AM 3:00 PM Pacific Time
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December 16th, 2012 9:25am

I'm adding my frustration to the list.  I have Linksys DMA 2100 and just upgraded from Windows 7 Pro to 8 Pro.  Everything worked well until I booted my extender to a black screen.  What a huge irritant this is.  I am a huge microsoft supporter in an office of apple lovers.  I've always preached the wonder of the MCE program, but now I am just disgusted.  Does microsoft realize how much of an inconvenience this is for those of us who have built the MCE into our overall media centers?  Come on microsoft; we shouldn't have to pay for a tech call to get you to fix a feature that should work in the first place.  I can't believe you are actually proposing to charge users for this add on after the free download expires in January.
December 18th, 2012 3:01am

Same here ... My xbox 360's work flawlessly with MCE running on Win8Pro but my 2 DMA 2200's are living in black screen land and largely going unused. I would love to get there functionality back or I may also drop BACK to Win 7. In the end though it is such a duplication of functionality. If someone can put together a WinRT box with a live TV app that is really all we need. No reason to boot into another screen that shows the same thing as the first menu, like on the xbox 360. Let's go MS, get this fixed and I'll build the box. Deal?

Just got off the phone with MS Tech Support, completed a remote desktop analyses of the issue and demonstrated DMA2200 connecting and xbox 360 connecting but black screen on the Linksys. The Rep said they are working on it and that it would be corrected by a download in Windows Update soon, though no definition of that time frame meaning not yet but hopefully soon by my interpretation. I would echo what Kingwill3k said, call and make sure your voice is heard to on this issue so that the squeaky wheel gets some oil.

(800) MICROSOFT (642-7676)

  • Edited by FPOstrow Friday, December 21, 2012 6:21 PM
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December 21st, 2012 5:23pm

Just wanted to add that I have the same issue with my DMA2200 and DMA2100. 

If I remember correctly, the extenders (at least my Linksys ones) needed a firmware update to work correctly with Windows 7 when I upgraded from Vista. 

The brand new 3rd party extender (Ceton Echo) doesn't work with Windows 8 either.  Since Media Center is largely unchanged in Windows 8, I just assumed the extenders would still work.

If they fix the Echo by Microsoft telling Ceton what the new format and protocol for extenders are supposed to be and Ceton updates the Echo's firmware, but Linksys, Dlink, and HP don't update their firmware to fix theirs, I'm prepared to bregrudingly accept that - I'll even call Linksys and voice my vote to have them update their firmware.

I would really like Microsoft to take an official stance on this.  Is this a bug they are going to fix, or did the specification for Media Center Extenders change? 

December 21st, 2012 9:29pm

I'm yet another extremely disappointed user.  I can't believe that the Media Center software group let this get out.  Where the hell is their testing group?  Absolutely unacceptable and pathetic!  Luckily, I just added a dual boot Vista / Windows 8. So, I don't have to restore my system to get my extender to work again.  Just reboot Vista.  That will teach me to get in on the front end of a new operating system.  My system uses the Linksys DMA2100 and an HP Media Center PC.

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December 22nd, 2012 11:34pm

Today i jumped ship. I downgraded to my copy of windows 7. This is very disappointing, at this point they should be concerned with loosing customers to apple but it seems they are, interested in other things. I know its a big company, your telling me this site doesn't have moderators? Someone that can make a call and say "people have concerns with WMC 8!". How hard is it for a rep to give us a status and say "we are working on it, the patch is coming in a few days". If anyone at Microsoft is reading this no offence to the hard workers in India but please have English speaking people that understand my problem. Please! some customer attention is what i want, if you don't believe me put a customer satisfaction survey through out your site and customer support call centers. then will see if I'm the only one frustrated. I'm a Windows guy, now I'm beginning to question if i should be a fanboy.
December 27th, 2012 9:58pm

Bought and installed Win8 only to find out that my DMA2100 boots into blank screen. Very disappointed of no support for a product used by many.

Downgraded to Win7 now and hoping Microsoft will use five minutes to fix this.

Best regards.

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December 29th, 2012 9:38pm

Yep I finally failed back to Windows 7

Don't know what MS is thinking other than they have yet to respond to my ticket other than to say the issue has been escalated to program management and they are working it.  Its been about a month since I followed up with MS so maybe I'll call them next week and see if an update can be had.

December 30th, 2012 9:04pm

Yep, same problem here, just adding my name to the list.
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December 31st, 2012 2:57am

I have the same problem here, so just adding myself to the list

January 6th, 2013 10:52pm

Has anyone done some diagnostics, e.g. Event Viewer messages, etc?

Another approach would be using ProcMon to trace the two cases to try to understand what is not happening.

Also, "blank or black screens" are being seen quite a bit at boot time in W8 where it looks as if it could be a problem with video driver choice or initialization.   For example, some users find that their "blank" screen is seen normally on a second monitor.   So, if that's the case it may be worthwhile trying  Win-P, CursorUp, Enter  to see if that could at least refresh the display.

 
HTH

 
Robert Aldwinckle
---

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January 7th, 2013 7:35pm

Adding my 2 cents...about to upgrade to Win 8 Pro from 7 Pro but also own a DMA2100.  Will wait to see if MS cares to fix media center (I think it will not and suspect the XBox is going to be enhanced into a full feature device that will sit in every room.).  I learned ActiveX, VB, COM, WTL, ATL and Windows UI messaging and threading and wish I hadn't wasted all those years.  Forget Micrrosoft and Apple, we need some hungry new people in the game.
January 8th, 2013 6:17pm

"The protocols that back Media Center Extenders are beyond the scope of the open specifications at............. There was a licensing program for third-parties to develop Media Center Extenders, which Ceton was a part of, however that program has ended and a certificate required to connect to a Windows PC as a media extender is no longer available. "

Found on a greenbutton thread titled "The future of Extenders, per Microsoft."

I'd link but this is an unverified account and cannot at this time.


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January 8th, 2013 6:53pm

I just updated my Win8 machine and I saw this most recent update included a .Net update.  Again, I was excited to see if this was the long awaited fix.

Nope....now even my XBOX360 wont connect.  Not a blank screen, just a configuration error...

WTF?

-Mark

January 10th, 2013 8:08pm

I have the D-Linke DSM750 and when i read that Microsoft fixed this problem I went and formatted my PC and Installed windows 8. To my disappointment it it still booted up to a black screen. What is going on with Microsoft
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January 11th, 2013 1:36pm

booted up to a black screen

Which may be unrelated to the one in this thread.   (Sounds like the one I was referring to and less like the one described by the OP.)  What have you tried to do to work around it?
January 11th, 2013 4:06pm

I have the D-Linke DSM750 and when i read that Microsoft fixed this problem I went and formatted my PC and Installed windows 8. To my disappointment it it still booted up to a black screen. What is going on with Microsoft

Where did you read that Microsoft fixed this problem? Am I missing something here? -Mark
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January 12th, 2013 1:16pm

Hi Mark, here is the link were i read its on page 22

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_8-pictures/win8-media-center-streaming-to-xbox-quality-issues/65d7253d-2811-4859-b939-8c186a0bd623?page=22&tm=1358132018260 

have a look.  I have to admit they were all about the Xbox.

January 14th, 2013 2:57am

Just an update for you all.

I've yet to hear any update back from MS.  I put a call into them today asking for an update on my ticket which has been open since Windows 8 Media Center Keys were first released in November.  Told: Still waiting for a Program management update.  Status otherwise stands as it has: working the problem and will get back with me.

That all said, I now see that Microsoft appears to have chosen to give us all a lump of coal for Christmas (they just didn't tell us about it - left for me to find on my own initiative) as on December 20th MS quietly published the following Windows 8 Support article which seems to be offering pretty much a final answer.  The first new article I see about this was released on 1/10/13.

  • Intro: An extender for a Windows Media Center PC is a standalone device that connects to your network and TV display. By connecting an extender to a wired or wireless home network, you can operate your Windows Media Center PC and stream media from Windows Media Center to your extender and TV. Microsoft Xbox 360 is the only extender that is supported in Windows 8 Media Center PC. Third-party extenders that work with earlier versions of Windows wont work with Windows 8.
  • More Info:  Windows 8 introduced a number of significant infrastructure changes on which extenders for Windows Media Center relied. These include changes to the RDP protocol. Because of these necessary changes, extender devices that were designed for Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 cannot connect to Windows 8 Media Center PCs. These devices should still work with earlier versions of Windows.
  • Workaround: If you have Windows 8 upgraded with Windows 8 Pro Pack or Windows 8 Pro with Windows Media Center Pack, you can use an Xbox 360 console as an extender for Windows Media Center

So all of us with MediaCenters Extenders other than xBox's.   There is our answer. 

I believe this answer also applies to those looking at the new Centon HW extender as from looking at their support forums their official position is Windows 7 support only at this time.  Centon owners of course have a chance that Centon can modify their extender Firm to meet the new protocol requirements as the hardware is in production and supportable by the manufacture.

See links below.  The news article referenced is dated 1/10/2013.  The MS Support Article was published on 12/20/12

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2796618?wa=wsignin1.0

http://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/index.php/2013/01/10/microsoft-confirm-only-the-xbox-360-will-work-as-a-media-center-extender-with-windows-8/

Tea Leaves seem pretty clear.  Disclaimer, speculation: MS has officially abandoned Media Center Extenders.  It seems rather clear that Media Center has also been abandoned eventually to be replaced with some cloud based new Xbox Live type service probably in concert with the Xbox 720 this fall (only speculating here but that is the trend).  For now I've chosen to keep a Windows 7 box around for a while.

  • Marked as answer by Pete V1 Wednesday, February 20, 2013 1:09 AM
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January 15th, 2013 1:16am

Thank you for the update. I can't say I am surprised, big companies just don't like supporting good communities. Everything has to be big and mainstream. So disappointing, just feels like we are always getting the boot. I can't even enjoy my phone for 6 months before the new one is ready and I'm outdated. So much potential and all you need is a small team. Maybe I have to high a hopes for wmc.
January 17th, 2013 8:06am

My life has been miserable since upgrading to Windows 8.  Aside from my extenders not working, even my xbox's were having issues with WMC and live TV signal.  On top of that, was having plenty of issues with Windows Home Server 2011 as well.  Could not successfully backup even once!

I reverted back to Windows 7 today and life is good!!

-Mark

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January 22nd, 2013 3:08am

Windows Media Center extenders boot to a blank screen when using windows 8 pro 

Hi Pete V1,

Support for 3rd-party Media Center Extenders is handled through the companies that make the extenders. Please see KB2796618 for more information on Media Center Extender compatibility.

Also, the DMA 2100 is not in the Windows Compatibility List for Windows 8. You always want to check the compatibility list and/or run the Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit before upgrading.

To see what else I can find out for you, I did call Cisco (no special contact - just their regular support line) and asked them about it. They said the DMA 2100 may work in Windows 8 if configured manually, but the installation disc will not. They said to configure it manually, refer to the Cisco KB15658. I cannot comment or help further with this manual configuration, but I wanted to pass it along in case it was useful to you. You may want to give Cisco support a call to discuss it in detail.

One final comment is that since your post deals with a consumer device, your post is better suited for Microsoft Answers, rather than TechNet, which is focused on IT Pro topics.

Thanks

-Tony

February 12th, 2013 4:35am

Hi Tony,

I appreciate someone from MS finally replying.  Better 4 months late then never.

I would note that before you chew a paying customer out by telling them what they did wrong you might check history a bit.  1) At the time the thread was opened virtually all the devices in question were listed as compatible with Windows 8.  Since posting I agree, most extenders have been voted by community as not being compatible  (If you read the tread you'll see I already noted that).  2)  The KB you cited , which I previously cited, again was published after this thread was opened.  Point being telling me that I should never opened a thread because as a professional I am expected to check the obvious first is rather inappropriate.  Similarly I pay for priority TechNet forum support which includes Windows 8, I don't believe MS  Answers comes with the same contractual commitment from MS does it?

Thanks,

Pete

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February 14th, 2013 1:28am

My update and experiences with Win8, xBox as Extender and 2 DAM2200's. Since I use the Ceton InfiniTV quad tuner with my Win8 MCE setup I use their MyMediaCenter app on my phone, Lumia 920, and my tablet,  SurfaceRT, and have no problems tuning our DMA2200's once accessing live TV via the "press live TV button several times" method after launching media center from the Extender. Honestly I prefer it this way and would hope that MS rolls out a "Live/Recorded TV" app for the new xbox this fall. IT really is pointless on the xBox to launch media center which is an outdated version of the xBox dash anyway. As to the DMA2200's I understand they are ancient technology and am frankly quite surprised how well they work given how long I have owned them.  Would it be nice if the blank screen didn't occur under Win8? Yes. Does it impact my ability to watch live and recorded premium HD TV? No.
March 22nd, 2013 4:17pm

Linksys DMA2200 here, same problem. No solution yet?
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April 8th, 2013 12:03am

Another very annoyed Extender owner here. 

Yes, My Linksys extender is now trash and may as well go in the bin.

Additionally, something must have changed as my Sony Bravia Smart TV which worked perfectly playing Recorded TV over DLNA now reports, 'Playback not available'.

You are not covering yourself with glory on this one Mr Microsoft.

Hope you can do something about it, even a legacy RDP service installation or something along those lines would do the trick. For this userbase who can define peer-to-peer firewall rules for specific devices to be able to connect to such a service, security really isn't an issue.

November 5th, 2013 11:16am

Pete, Hi! I have the same exact problem my install with Windows 8 Pro with The NEW media center add-on using a separate key code which is used foe activation process only to add-on to my version of Windows 8 Pro. I can launch Windows on my desktop and it finds all my audio-video tv etc. Everything plays fine on the desktop listening and visually playing ok not using my wireless Linksys DMA-2200 BSICALLY SAME UNIT AS THE DMA 2100 but, has an built -in dc player.

I power up my TV and select media center a s source, power on media center, get main media center screen, enter setup, verify all wireless network settings are in tact online and media center is online and working as usual (past). Then try and play any media, audio, video, pictures etc. BAM! Blank Screen! I have tried everything known to man. unplugged unit, reset, cold boot, verify firewall settings.... no avail, just the same symptom! Using a windows 7, vista etc and Linksys media works fine , as usual for about 3 year's since I purchased the Linksys-Cisco Product. I will continue to try and research this isolated common Microsoft-Linksys-Cisco Hardware/Software conflict using Windows 8 Pro Pack/Media Center.

Just thought I'd jump in here and le ya know you and many others are NOT ALONE with this same problem.  If anyone had any further idea's , ore helpful faq's please e-mail me at dr1cpu@gmail.com. Also I will continue to check the postings for any updates on this issue. Be safe, take care and best wishes, Gene from the Atlanta, GA

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August 18th, 2015 10:51am

further idea

http://community.linksys.com/t5/Game-and-Media-Adapters/DMA2100-amp-DMA-2200-Windows-8/td-p/526716

<quote>

No chance of a new firmware because device is already end of line.

</quote>

Run Vista in a Hyper-V VM?   <eg>

BTW has anyone done any diagnostics for this symptom?  (My first suggestion.)

August 18th, 2015 5:11pm

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