The hurdles of setting up Vista Media Centre

OK – it came time to rebuild the media centre.

Here are ALL the steps I went through to getting the software install right. A Vista Media Center Build Document.

The changing of hardware, testing codecs, utilites, guides and apps had led to some long running config and stability issues that I couldn’t resolve. Application errors, crashes, codecs, screen sizes, resolutions and audio were all problematic.

After round one a while ago, I had managed to stabilise and expand the system somewhat. The stable hardware config now is

• Case – Zalman HD160 Case (IR, Display & Card Reader disabled)
• Cooling – Quiet Fans
• P/S – Antec Truepower 2 (120mm single fan)
• MB – Asus N4L-VM-DH (replaced 3 times under warranty)
• CPU – Core 2 Duo T2400 1.8
• RAM – 2GB Kingston
• HDD – WD WD5000AAKS
• DVD-ROM – Pioneer DVR-215
• Video Card – Gigabyte NVidea GeForce 8600 GT Silent
• TV Tuner Card – Hauppauge Nova Dual Digital T-500
• Bluetooth Keyboard – Logitech DiNovo Mini
• Remote – MS IR Remote Control
• Readyboost – Kingston Datatraveler 4GB USB Stick
• TV – Panasonic 50″ 720p Plasma – TH-50PX80A
• Amp – NAD T762 5.1 Channel Amp

I use the VGA cable to drive the plasma – other outputs have proven problematic in the past and I can’t be bothered trying again.

The Amp is driven off the Digital Out on the M/B – a coax copper digital connection.

This current hardware setup is MUCH more stable than the previous top of the line junk I tried.

1. Connect USB KB & Mouse (needed)
   BIOS – Change boot order – CD/HDD
   Boot to Vista DVD
   Long Delay – options page
   Select – English Australia
   Enter Serial Key
   Select – Do Not Upgrade
   Format HDD
   Create Account – Paul w/ pwd
   Set Timezone
   Approve auto-updates
   Network Location – Home
   Login
2. Windows Update – all updates
   Disable Sidebar Autostart & Exit
   Enable Readyboost on USB stick
   IE – set Google to default search provider
   IE – set startup to blank page
   IE – Install Flash Player
   Enable Auto logon
   Start | Run | Netplwiz
   Tick the box, and enter credentials
   Set Screen Saver – Blank screen – 3 mins (to protect plasma)
   Advanced Power Settings
   10 min display off
   HDD 10 min spin down
   Never Sleep (this MB won’t resume, your’s may)
   Bluetooth KB works – no drivers req’d
   Updates finished – reboot
   Disable Welcome screen
   Set resolution to TV screen native – 1360 x 768 (1366×768 native)
   Experience Index – 4.6 (CPU 4.7)
   Activate Windows
   Check Device Manager – all devices OK from Windows Update
   Start | Network | Click “Turn on Network Discovery” on top bar | Make Network Private
3. Install WHS Connector (if running Windows Home Server)
   Set Home Server to ignore AV errors
4. Vista Media Centre Setup
   Custom
   Setup Signal
   Accept 2 tuners
   Use Guide
   “your postcode”
   Guide Not Available
   Scan for Services
   Vista Media Centre – Audio
   Single RCA
   5.1
   Test OK
   Vista Media Centre – Display
   Flat Panel
   VGA
   Widescreen
   Keep display resolution
   Adjust
   Check Sizing and Centering OK
   Settings – “Start Windows Media Center when windows starts”
   Enable optimization at 4am
   Set storage to leave 60gb free (400GB)
   Stop recording 4 minutes after
5. Create restore point
6. Ice TV
   Login
   Setup Interactive Device
   Install ICE TV Software
   Follow install instructions
   Then do a manual setup and update guide
   Leave all settings default atm
7. Vista Media Centre – Setup Guide for VMC
   Download Guide
   Setup Channels
   Remove SD channels and doubles
   Keep HD7,HD9,HD10,HD ABC, HD SBS, ABC2
   Reset “Add Listings to channel” to get guide to update
8. Windows Update – Reboot
   Windows Update – Reboot (Req’d)
   Windows Update – Reboot (not stated)
   Windows Update – Reboot (SP1)
9. Install Lifextender
   Enable Automated Scanning – Midnight
   Untick “Display TV Show Info when uncommercializing”
   Set – Upon completion DELETE the original
10. Uninstall KB950126 (it’s a known bug)
    Reboot
    Windows Update – Check for Updates
    View Available Updates
    Right Click KB950126 – Select “Hide Update”
    Install other pending updates
11. Fix Lifeextender Auto-start
    Search – Task Scheduler
    Create Task – Lifextender
    “Run with highest privileges”
    Triggers – Begin Task – “At Logon”
    Actions – New – “C:\program files\yellow cup\lifextender\lifextender.exe”
    OK
    Delete Lifextender from Startup Folder on Start Menu
12. Enable Terminal Services Access (if running Vista Ultimate)
    Computer – Properties – Remote Access – Remote Desktop – allow connections
13. Enable Ripped DVD Gallery

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Media Center\Settings\DvdSettings
    ShowGallery -Play

    Change the Registry value data from Play to Gallery.

14. Install KLite Standard 4.1.7 – all settings default
15. Clean up Vista SP1 removal files – Start | Search | CMD | type “vsp1cln.exe”
    This will free up between 1 and 1.5GB of disk space

Presto – you should now have a system that can play most things, be reasonably stable and do all the things it should out of the box.

It’s only 98 real steps to set it up, not including all the “next, next, finish” buttons.

Wouldn’t it be great if this was how it came from Microsoft in Australia.

Depending on your hardware – your mileage may vary. This was FAR more stable than installing all the drivers from the vendor sites.

You may optionally want to

a)  Have Terminal Services Access without interrupting your TV (haven’t done this yet)

b) Improve your HDD performance, but also have increased risk of data corruption.

Update Sept 09 – due to hardware failure I’m not running W7 and new hardware.
W7 is much better. Full review coming.
Still needs help though.