Extender Setup - Not Found on Network

[mattiedread]

I'm attempting to set up an extender on my new htpc. Several attempts have resulted in 'Extender not Found'. I can ping the extender from the HTPC. I have another extender running on the network (not on this machine). My router has PnP and Multristream (again, I have an extender working on this network).

Any suggestions?

I should add, I can see the extender in the HTPC's network, and ping it from the htpc.

I'm now getting, "Unable to Communicate" with the extender, I did change a firewall setting to allow communication with Media Center Extenders.

[Scallica]

Start by resetting the extender to factory defaults, then try again.

[mattiedread]

Good suggestion, however no luck.

I've found the following, but, in wandering through the firewall in Win7x64 don't see where I can make this change:

Open the firewall on your computer. In the firewall settings, open the following exception:

Program Service Local port Remote port Direction Network Needed for
svchost.exe ssdpsrv UDP 1900 Random Inbound Local subnet Device discovery

I'm not certain this would resolve anything as the device is visible on the network via the HTPC, but, it is worth a try.

My other thought (guess) is to try hard wiring to router as the wireless bandwidth may be insufficient/inconsistent. The DMA 2200 is several years old.

[Scallica]

Have you tried temporarily disabling the firewall during the setup?

[mattiedread]

Yes, I have disabled the firewall and the same problem, however, now the extender does not show in my network. Current Error is 'Can't Set Up extender' ...Unable to communicate with extender. I assume it is found (can still ping it from the HTPC, but not this machine, which is strange, I could earlier, same network).

Here is what I have tried/checked:
1. Win7 is activated
2. Router settings are uPnP/Multicast (and, there is an extender successfully running on this network, diff machine)
3. Same subnet
4. uPnP is set to automatic (was set to manual)
5. I have no home groups set up.
6. I did try hardwiring, no firewall, still no luck. I have a Ceton card in the box... wonder if something needs to be tweaked in its settings.

I'm at a complete loss here.

I did find some win7 utility which troubleshoots networking and I put in svchost.exe, it finds a problem, but 'needs more information' and links to useless MSFT sites. I don't think the svchost is the problem because I tried earlier with firewall off, and, the extender showed in the network at that time... but I don't know.

[newfiend]

When you set it to factory defaults did you do this procedure? (Remove the XBOX and try and reinstall)..

To uninstall Xbox 360 and remove the Extender connection



You might choose to uninstall the Xbox 360 if you want to set up the Extender again with different settings. Or if you previously connected the console to one Windows Media Center computer and you want to connect the Xbox 360 console to a different Windows Media Center computer, you must first remove any existing connection between the Xbox 360 console and the first computer.

When you uninstall Xbox 360 as an Extender, the Media Center Extender account (named MCX1 by default) is removed from your Windows Media Center computer and all settings for the Extender are removed as well. After you uninstall the Extender, you can add it again at a later time.

To remove the Xbox 360 Extender connection, you must perform steps on both Xbox 360 and on the Windows Media Center computer.

1. On your Windows Media Center computer, start Windows Media Center.

2. On the start screen, scroll to Tasks, and then click settings.

3. Click Extender, and then click the Xbox 360 console.

4. Click Uninstall.

5. Follow the steps in the Extender Uninstall wizard to uninstall the Extender.

6. On your Xbox 360, use your Xbox 360 controller to scroll to My Xbox, select System Settings, and then select Computers.

7. Select Windows Media Center, and then press the A button.

8. Select Disconnect.

9. Press the B button repeatedly until you return to the System Settings screen.

10. If the Xbox 360 console has a hard drive or a memory card, on the System Settings screen, select Memory.

11. Select Hard Drive, select Games, select Xbox 360 Dashboard, and then select Windows Media Center.

12. Select Delete, and then press the A button.

13. Press the B button repeatedly until you return to the System Settings screen.

Also more info here on troubleshooting: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... der-device
newfiend~

[mattiedread]

It is a DMA 2200 and not an X-Box. However, it has been completely removed from any machine.

Currently both the extender and the HTPC are hardwired directly into the router's LAN ports. Firewall is off UAC is 'never alert me'.

This is catastrophic, if this machine doesn't work with extenders, there is no point in having it. I've tried every thing. I'm not sure what my next move is... should I wipe out the sdd (OS) and start over???

[adam1991]

elevated command prompt, sfc /scannow?

7MC works with extenders. Wiping out the OS is a guaranteed fix for whatever ails you.

[STC]

Is the extender known working?

[mattiedread]

No, at the time the extender was not known to be working, only assumed, but I had the same fear... so I replicated the error with a second extender which has been working fine on the Vista 32 box in my profile. The extender in question had been disconnected from the network for several months due to a quirky reaction by my Vista box when a second extender was attempted to be added (tried with an XBox also, same bogus results so I'm convinced it is the Vista box which I never quite go configured correctly, but, it works, powers two TV's one directly one extender... good enough).

Anyway, I got it, total pita, but this is what I did:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre ... st21728723

Thank you everyone who took the time to think about this. Your suggestions were encouraging as I was ready to ... succumb to Cable Company Hardware...

[newfiend]

Glad you got it figured out.. Sorry I thought you were trying to connect an XBOX extender..My Bad..
I have to Agree with Assassin over at AVS Forum though, I have NEVER had good luck using Wireless N (Dual BAND wireless router) on my DMA-2100. I could never get a reliable enough signal and the video/audio drop outs will likely set WAF at -2 or maybe -3.. I went with Powerline networking adapters and a Wired connection to the DMA-2100 in my house. Worked MUCH better!! What is even better though are MoCA adapters. You will be much happier if you go wired on your extenders! Just food for thought.

And ya know after typing this ... It makes me want those damn Ceton Echos just that much more! I can't wait till I can skip my DMA-2100 across the nearest lake after I get my 1st Echo! That thing has just not been very reliable at all.
newfiend~

[mattiedread]

Yeah, fading Assassin is generally not a good idea. I ended up with powerline, whatever they had at Best Buy, my logic being even at 20 MB/s that should suffice.

Perhaps we should have a DMA 'retirment' web cast when the echos ship. I was praying... no, bargaining with God for an echo this morning... 'C'mon God, I promise I won't stream any porn to it unless there's nuns in it'.

[newfiend]

Yeah, fading Assassin is generally not a good idea. I ended up with powerline, whatever they had at Best Buy, my logic being even at 20 MB/s that should suffice.

Perhaps we should have a DMA 'retirment' web cast when the echos ship. I was praying... no, bargaining with God for an echo this morning... 'C'mon God, I promise I won't stream any porn to it unless there's nuns in it'.

Did you see that Father that shot his dauthers Laptop because of her Facebook post? ...Linksys DMA is next in line as soon as those echo's are out...lol
I got some Netgear XAV2001's awhile back 200Mbps.. they have worked pretty well. I sometimes get the Network Issue message from time to time but it's pretty rare. It was a way better connection than wireless though and much more reliable.
hope it works out good for you as well.
Good Luck,
newfiend~