Xbox 360 media extender windows 7

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Xbox 360 media extender windows 7 - connection lost

Felicks

62 posts

Master Geek

#63570 30-Jun-2010 06:20

I bought an Xbox 360 (60Gb) a couple of days ago, to use specifically as a Media Extender from my main Media PC which is running Windows 7 Premium. I chose a wired network for good connectivity some time ago and the Xbox is the 4th device on the network. Its going through a Belkin router and I'm using Zone Alarm Security Suite.

The Media PC and Xbox recognized one another as soon as I connected them and set up was therefore straight forward. The first hurdle (since overcome) was the h.264 format for my recorded tv which wouldn't play. This was quickly fixed with 1 or 2 downloads for the Xbox.

However, my issue now is the refusal of the devices to remain connected after the initial setup. I can use the Media Center app on the Xbox upon completion of the initial setup, watch recorded tv, listen to shared music etc etc. However, if I disconnect from the Media PC app and go to the dashboard for example, as soon as I try to connect again to the Media PC app the Xbox says the connection failed.

On the Media PC, with the Extender selected under Media Center, it doesn't seem to matter whether is the Xbox is recognized as working or not - either way they don't connect. Using the dashboard networking tests - it confirms it is still connected to the Media PC.

The only fix I have found is to uninstall the Xbox as an Extender and reinstall it again.

Having done this 6 times now and changed firewall settings just in case (I'm now convinced it can't be a firewall thing), its really starting to annoy me and I can't help but think its a Windows 7 or possibly Xbox problem. It works perfectly when first set up - until I exit Media Center from the Xbox. Going straight back in again - it either hangs or comes up as lost connection.

The Media center shows full green bars in the connection graph so it doesn't appear to be a bandwidth issue either.

Is anyone aware of any fixes. Thanks.

1 | 2

1873 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#346579 30-Jun-2010 09:21

Didn't know if i should reply as i don't have a specific fix for you.. However i got fed up with xbox extender functions and moved to a free utility called Tverstiy. I was having all sorts of problems up until moving to tversity. It took probably an hour to get up and running properly, and i havnt looked back since.
Hopefully someone can chip in with some fix's for you, other wise download tversity and give it a shot, they have a very helpful forum too if you get stuck.

Nety

2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#346594 30-Jun-2010 11:23

I know you say you are convinced it is not the firewall but have you tried actually disabling zone alarm (or better yet uninstalling) all together? Personally I have always found zone alarm to cause issues when getting devices to talk to each other. The last time I used it I could not get two PC's to talk to each other even though it was set to allow local PC's to communicate in Zone alarm. In the end it was not until I uninstalled Zone alarm that they would talk. Windows 7 has a good firewall built in now which IMHO does away with the need for Zone alarm (although I do have a full hardware firewall).

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

#346636 30-Jun-2010 13:28

I have the same issue with my 360, on both wireless and wired. I have worked my way thru MS database on the issue (which is extensive) but to no avail. It is a common problem with it losing connection. Mine will disconnect after about 30s after setup completes generally and then need to run thru the whole procedure again to try to get it to work (about 1 in 5 goes will allow it to connect for up to 10mins before disconnection again)

I gave up in the end, which is anoying as I brought a 360 over a ps3 for the extender function...

Lounge:
WIN7 HOME x64 HTPC - E6420 2.13Ghz - 4Gb 800MHZ PATRIOT RAM - ASUS HD5670 1GB
ASUS P5B-VM MOBO - LG BLU-RAY DRIVE - BG3595 TUNER - 1.5TB STORAGE
PANASONIC 42" FULL HD PLASMA - PIONEER VSX1019AHK RECEIVER - WHARFDALE DIAMOND 10 SPEAKERS

Man Cave:
XBOX 360 MODERN WARFARE 2 EDITION - PANASONIC 37" PLASMA - SONY MONSTA 5.1 SURROUND SYSTEM

RustyGonad

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#346644 30-Jun-2010 13:42

Is it losing the network connection, or just failing to re-connect?

If its losing the connection there's a few things to try:

1. Turn off magic packets - Control Panel - Device Manager - Ethernet Adaptor
2. Turn off Power Saving on the adaptor - Control Panel - Power Options
3. Remove IPV6 - nothing uses it, and it has caused issues for some

Felicks

62 posts

Master Geek

#346817 30-Jun-2010 22:58

Cheers. Some merit in all it would seem although as I am not the only one having this problem I still have some doubt obviously.

- I haven't heard of Tiversity - will look it up.
- Re Zonealarm, haven't tried uninstalling it. One would think if its turned off it can't interfere with things but can't hurt to try.
- Lastly, no the connection remains. It's always shown as connected to Live and the Media PC when using the test programs within the Xbox dashboard. Its just doesn't seem to be able to establish a connection to the media center app on the media pc when running the app.

It either says connection lost after about 20 seconds of looking (despite the previous positive test result from the dashboard app) OR it remains looking for the media center application data with the cute little circles scrolling across the bottom of the screen and essentially hangs requiring the xbox to be rebooted.

I'll try the suggestions in coming days and reply with results.

Nety

2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#346923 1-Jul-2010 10:49

I have one of the new xbox's on pre-order and for me the primary use will also be as an extender. I really hope I do not have the same issue although you would expect that if it is a common issue there would be a lot more angry xbox users.

Concerning ZoneAlarm I did find this link.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/extender/setup/firewall/zonealarm.mspx

Nety

2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#346928 1-Jul-2010 10:55

Just searched a little more and found this thread.

http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7network/thread/b05322f1-d1e6-4429-92b3-14f19a40898b

About half way down the poster said that he uninstalled ZoneAlarm and that fixed the problem.

I would suggest trying the first link that I put up first although I noticed that is for XP but may do the trick. Otherwise you may need to look at uninstalling ZoneAlarm.

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

ronindanbo

180 posts

Master Geek

#346976 1-Jul-2010 13:23

+1 on the Zone alarm thing, it was the bain of my life when getting things to run with my PC...

Also check out the XBox help, in there it will tell you about certain ports that need to be opened for certain protocols, I had a similar problem and it was because some of these ports werent open..

Also check windows firewall everyone forgets that is also turned on and active.

Rollux

362 posts

Ultimate Geek

#347002 1-Jul-2010 14:31

I can still stream music, photos and some videos from my PC, even tho XBMC says there is no connection. I used MCE buddy to convert .wtv files to avi and place them in a seperate folder that I can view via MY VIDEOS on XBOX. Not ideal, but works. If you get the MC working, let me know how - nothing I've tried has made any difference.

Felicks

62 posts

Master Geek

#347222 2-Jul-2010 10:18

Bang on Nety.

I uninstalled ZoneAlarm Security Suite (and was nice enough to fill out the 'why you uninstalling ZA' survey at the same time) and yes - it now works! Excellent advice - thanks. (I'll send a full email to Zone labs for them to look at re this issue.)

Obviously I've learnt firewall software while not active, can still affect things considerably. The connection now takes about 5 - 10 seconds and I no longer have that blank / sick feeling we 'puter uses get when something that is supposed to happen doesn't, and we are left thinking - how much work is this going to take to fix!!

I'll now look to buy another 360 as the kids have cottoned onto this device which is in the master bedroom and I can see they are going to need their own extender less I never get any sleep!

Help much appreciated.

Nety

2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#347231 2-Jul-2010 10:52

Glad to hear that sorted it. I am on the countdown myself now. Should be picking my xbox up this time next week.

Felicks

62 posts

Master Geek

#347240 2-Jul-2010 11:14

Ive been on live chat with Zone Labs this am. They have suggested a couple of things including enabling IPv6 (which I have never used) and a couple of hot fixes for Win 7 SP1 and Zonealarm issues. I'll see how that goes.

Enjoy your new box when it arives. Aside from the somewhat noisey drive and lesser, the fans, its pretty cool.

Nety

2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#347274 2-Jul-2010 13:19

Felicks: [snip]
Enjoy your new box when it arives. Aside from the somewhat noisey drive and lesser, the fans, its pretty cool.

That is why I am waiting. The new xbox 360 slim is supposed to be a bit quieter then the old model.

trig42

5809 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#347405 2-Jul-2010 20:02

Glad you got it sorted. Any computer I see doing 'strange' things network or internet related that have ZA on them are always fixed by not having ZA on them any more.

W7's firewall (in conjunction with a NAT router) is fine.

Felicks

62 posts

Master Geek

#347457 3-Jul-2010 07:10

Thanks - not sure what I'll do now.

I'll keep using ZA on my two other puters as its not causing any problems there (and I've paid for a 3 user licence which doesn't expire for another 6 months). It was my anti virus, anti spyware, firewall solution in one.

I got rid of Nortons years ago after it started hogging my system resources. Is Nortons 360 any better these days?? In the meantime I might stick to the free anti virus and spyware program options while I mull it over.

As I say, if ZA's fixes work, I'll follow up this thread - but I'm not holding my breath...

1 | 2