This FAQ is organized in chronological order of requirements for connecting your Xbox 360 to your PC by using Windows Media Player 11, Zune, Windows Media Center Extender, or a combination of the three. This guide omits the steps to install the Zune software, as Windows Media Player 11 will suffice; however, it does list the steps to configure it for media sharing on Zune.

Contents

• Requirements Overview
  • Media Sharing
  • Windows Media Center Extender
• Networking requirements for Windows XP and Windows Vista
• Windows XP requirements for media sharing
  • Windows XP Service Pack 2
• Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 requirements for Media Center Extender and media sharing via Windows Media Player 11
  • Windows XP Service Pack 2
  • .NET Framework 1.1
  • .NET Framework 1.1 SP1
  • Update Rollup 2
• Service requirements for all versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista
• Installing Windows Media Player 11 on all versions of Windows XP
• Configuring Windows Media player 11 media sharing for all versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista
• Configuring Zune for media sharing
• Configuring Windows Media Center Extender on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
• Configuring Windows Media Center Extender on Windows vista (Home Premium, and Ultimate Editions)
• Troubleshooting Media Center Extender, Zune, and Windows Media Player 11
  • General troubleshooting
  • Zune
  • Windows Media Player 11
  • Windows Media Center Extender
  • Poor performance
• Beyond troubleshooting
  • Software installation
  • Xbox 360 unable to locate PC

Networking requirements for Windows XP and Windows Vista

• If you are using a third party personal firewall such as ZoneAlarm, configure your firewall software to allow communication between the computer you are using and the Xbox 360; using the information listed below:
  • On Microsoft’s Support Website (for media sharing)
  • According to the ports listed on Microsoft’s Media Center Website (for Windows Media Center Extender)
  • According to the step-by-steps listed On Microsoft’s Media Center Website (scroll down to the “Troubleshoot network firewall issues” section, for Windows Media Center Extender)
  • According to the step-by-step and ports listed on the Windows Vista: Firewall and Media Center Extender configuration page
• If you are using a router with a built-in firewall, ensure it is not blocking communication between your Xbox 360 and your computer
  • Configure the firewall according to the ports listed on Microsoft’s Support Website
  • If there is an option in the router’s configuration to allow UPnP traffic, ensure it is allowed
• During the process of configuring the assortment of software to support network streaming, and extender connectivity you may see numerous requests from the Windows Firewall or a third-party firewall application concerning network access, if the program in question is a media-related program ensure you allow it network access

Windows XP requirements for media sharing

Windows XP Service Pack 2

1. Go the Windows Update website
   If you are alerted about an ActiveX installation, click the status bar and click “Install ActiveX Control” Verify the ActiveX control is published by Microsoft, and click “Install”
2. If prompted to install the latest Windows Update software click “Install Now”
3. Click “Custom”
   1. If you are prompted with a message saying “To use this latest version of Windows Update, you will need to upgrade some of its components” click “Download and Install”
   2. You will be prompted to restart your PC after the installation is complete, after you have restarted begin this procedure again from the first step
4. If you see “Windows XP Service Pack 2” listed, ensure it is checked
5. On the left side of the screen, click “Install Updates”
6. Click  “Install Updates” yet again
7. A window will appear displaying the progress of your update
8. When the updates are finished you may be prompted to restart your computer

Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 requirements for Media Center Extender and media sharing via Windows Media Player 11

Windows XP Service Pack 2

1. Go the Windows Update website
   If you are alerted about an ActiveX installation, click the status bar and click “Install ActiveX Control” Verify the ActiveX control is published by Microsoft, and click “Install”
2. If prompted to install the latest Windows Update software click “Install Now”
3. Click “Custom”
   1. If you are prompted with a message saying “To use this latest version of Windows Update, you will need to upgrade some of its components” click “Download and Install”
   2. You will be prompted to restart your PC after the installation is complete, after you have restarted begin this procedure again from the first step
4. If you see “Windows XP Service Pack 2” listed, ensure it is checked
5. On the left side of the screen, click “Install Updates”
6. Click  “Install Updates” yet again
7. A window will appear displaying the progress of your update
8. When the updates are finished you may be prompted to restart your computer

.NET Framework 1.1

1. Click the “Start” or Windows-logo button on your desktop
2. Click “Control Panel”
3. Select “Switch to Classic View” if you are not using the Classic view
4. Click “Add or Remove Programs”
5. Click “Show updates”
6. Scroll down until you reach the first program starting with “M”
7. Scroll through these updates
8. If you see “.NET Framework 1.1” you may omit the rest of this requirement, otherwise continue
9. Go the Microsoft Downloads website
10. Choose your preferred language under the “Change Language” section if need be
11. Click the “Download” button on the top of the page
12. Ensure you save the file to somewhere you can easily access it later
13. Once the download is complete click “Run”
14. If you are prompted with “Do you want to run this software?” verify the publisher is “Microsoft Corporation” and click “Run”
15. Click “Yes”
16. After the installation files are finished extracting read the license agreement and check the appropriate radio button (you will need to accept the agreement in order to proceed with installation)
17. Click “Install”
18. The installation will take several minutes, after it finishes click “OK”

.NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1

1. Click the “Start” or Windows-logo button on your desktop
2. Click “Control Panel”
3. Select “Switch to Classic View” if you are not using the Classic view
4. Click “Add or Remove Programs”
5. Click “Show updates”
6. Scroll down until you reach the first program starting with “M”
7. Scroll through these updates
8. If you see “.NET Framework 1.1 Service Pack 1” you may omit the rest of this requirement, otherwise continue
9. Go the Microsoft Downloads website
10. Choose your preferred language under the “Change Language” section if need be
11. Click the “Download” button on the top of the page
12. Ensure you save the file to somewhere you can easily access it later
13. Once the download is complete click “Run”
14. If you are prompted with “Do you want to run this software?” verify the publisher is “Microsoft Corporation” and click “Run”
15. Click “OK”
16. Read the license agreement and click the corresponding button (you will need to accept the agreement in order to proceed with installation)
17. The installation will take about two minutes to complete, after it is finished click “OK”
18. After the installation finishes you will be prompted to restart your computer

Update Rollup 2

1. Visit Xbox.com’s PC Setup Page
2. If you are instructed to download “Update Rollup 2 for Media Center Edition 2005” click the download link
3. Ensure you save the file to somewhere you can easily access it later
4. Once the download is finished, click “Run”
5. Verify you will not be interrupting any recordings and click “Yes”
6. Click “Next”
7. Read the license agreement and check the appropriate radio button (you will need to accept the agreement in order to proceed with installation)
8. Click “Next”
9. After the installation finishes you will be prompted to restart your computer

Service requirements for all versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista

Windows Services

1. Click the “Start” button on your desktop
2. Click “Control Panel”
3. Select “Switch to Classic View” if you are not using the Classic view
4. Click “Administrative Tools”
5. Click “Services”
6. Scroll down to “Universal Plug and Play Device Host”
7. Right click on it, and click “Properties”
8. If the service is not set to start automatically, set the “Startup type” to “Automatic”
9. If the service is not started, click “Start”
10. Scroll up to “SSDP Discovery Service”
11. Right click on it, and click “Properties”
12. If the service is not set to start automatically, set the “Startup type” to “Automatic”
13. If the service is not started, click “Start”

Installing Windows Media Player 11 on all versions of Windows XP

1. Visit Microsoft’s Download Website to download the Windows Media Player 11 software: 32-bit Software (for most computers), and 64-bit Software or if you need a language other than English visit the Windows Media download website, and select the version of Windows Media Player 11 corresponding to the language you want
2. Click the “Download” button on the top of the page
3. Ensure you save the file to somewhere you can easily access it later
4. Once the download is complete click “Run”
5. If you are prompted with “Do you want to run this software?” verify the publisher is “Microsoft Corporation” and click “Run”
6. After the installation package extracts you may be prompted to validate your copy of Windows is genuine, proceed to click “Validate” if this is the case
7. Read through the license agreement, and choose to accept or decline it (note you need to accept the agreement to continue with installation)
8. The installer may proceed to download specific Windows updates, and will then proceed to install Windows Media Player 11 which will take several minutes
9. Once the installation is finished a configuration screen will appear, click “Custom Settings” and then click “Next”
10. Proceed through the configuration menus, and click “Next” at each screen
11. Click “Finish”

Configuring Windows Media Player 11 media sharing for all versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista

1. Start Windows Media Player if it is not already
2. Click the small arrow button beneath the “Library” button
3. Click “Add to Library”
4. Click “Advanced Options”
5. If you have any folders in addition to those listed you would like to add then click “Add”, browse to the folder you would like to add, and click “OK”
6. Click “OK”
7. Windows Media Player 11 will now proceed to add all music, pictures, and videos it supports to its library
8. Once Windows Media Player is finished indexing the files click “Close”
9. Click the small arrow button beneath the “Library” button once again
10. Click “Media Sharing”
11. Check “Share my media”
12. Click “OK”
13. Once the “Media Sharing” configuration menu appears, click “Settings”
14. Customize the configuration options within that menu and then click “OK”
15. Turn on your Xbox 360 console
16. Go to the “Media” blade
17. Choose “Music”
18. Choose “Computer”
19. Choose “Yes”
20. Your Xbox 360 will proceed to search for your computer
    1. If your computer is not listed go back to your PC
    2. Select the Xbox 360 console listed on the “Media Sharing” menu
    3. Click “Allow”
21. Select your computer
22. Your Xbox 360 will now be able to browse all music, pictures, and videos your PC is sharing

Configuring Zune for media sharing

1. Start the Zune software
2. Click the “Options” drop-down on the top of the screen
3. Click “Add Folder to Library”
4. For any folders containing media that are not present, click “Add Folder” then browse to the folder and click “OK”
5. Click “OK”
6. Once Zune is finished indexing the files click “Close”
7. Click the “Options” drop-down once again
8. Highlight “Library”, and the click “Media Sharing”
9. Check “Share my media”
10. Turn on your Xbox 360 console
11. Go to the “Media” tab
12. Choose “Music”
13. Choose “Computer”
14. Choose “Yes”
15. Your Xbox 360 will proceed to search for your computer
    1. If your computer is not listed go back to your PC
    2. Select the Xbox 360 console listed on the “Media Sharing” menu
    3. Click “Allow”
16. Select your computer
17. Your Xbox 360 will now be able to browse all music, pictures, and videos your PC is sharing

Configuring Windows Media Center Extender on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

1. Click the “Start” button on your Desktop
2. Click “Control Panel”
3. Select “Switch to Classic View” if you are not using the Classic view
4. Click “Administrative Tools”
5. Click “Services”
6. Scroll down to “Fast User Switching”
7. Right click on it, and select “Properties”
8. If it is not set to “Automatic” start, change the startup type to “Automatic”
9. If the service is not started, click “Start”
10. Close the “Services” window, and any windows opened while using it
11. Click the back button on the top left of the screen
12. Select “User Accounts”
13. Select “Change the way users log on and off”
14. Ensure “Fast User Switching is enabled”
15. Download the Media Center Extender Setup file
16. Ensure you save the file to somewhere you can easily access it later
17. Once the download is complete click “Run” (note you can press and hold “Alt” and press “Tab” on your keyboard to navigate between the installer and this FAQ)
18. If you are prompted with “Do you want to run this software?” verify the publisher is “Microsoft Corporation” and click “Run”
19. Turn on your Xbox 360 and go to the “Media” blade
20. Select “Media Center”
21. Press “A” on your controller
22. If your console is connected wirelessly, and you are not connected to an 802.11a wireless network you may get a prompt, select “Continue”
    • Using an 802.11b wireless solution is inadequate for watching television through your Xbox 360 because actual throughput rarely reaches the advertised 11Mbps
    • An 802.11a network will significantly improve wireless performance over 802.11b, and may improve performance over 802.11g depending upon the wireless traffic in the area surrounding the Xbox 360 and wireless access point
23. On your PC, click “Next”
24. Read through the license agreement, and choose to accept or decline it (note you need to accept the agreement to continue with installation)
25. Click “Next”
26. The installer will go through an assortment of installation status screens, when it displays “Settings” along with a message below it, check the “Choose options manually” checkbox and click “Next”
27. Uncheck “Set up Windows Media Connect for Xbox 360”
28. Click “Next” twice
29. Read the “Content Settings” message, check the “Make all My Documents folders available” checkbox if you have media in other “My Documents” folders other than your own
30. The screen will display a status screen, once that has passed click “Next”
31. Read the “Content Settings” message again, check the “Use the same media folders” checkbox if you would like to configure the extender setup to use your user account’s media; you can add additional folders later
32. Click “Next”.
33. Enter the setup key displayed on the Xbox 360 console into the appropriate text boxes in “Xbox 360 Setup”
34. Select “Continue” on the Xbox 360, and select “Next” in “Xbox 360 Setup”
35. “Xbox 360 Setup” will now connect to your Xbox 360 to set it up as an extender
36. Click “Next” after the “Xbox 360 Setup” displays “The Xbox 360 Console is Connected”
37. You will have the option to use the Network Performance Test, if you choose not to click “Cancel”
    • For tips on improving your network performance go through the Network Performance Guide at Microsoft.com

Configuring Windows Media Center Extender on Windows Vista (Home Premium, and Ultimate Editions)

1. Click the “Start” button on your Desktop
2. Mouse-over “All Programs”, and select “Windows Media Center” (note you can press and hold “Alt” and press “Tab” on your keyboard to navigate between the installer and this FAQ)
3. Scroll to “Tasks”
4. Select “Add Extender”
5. Click “Next”
6. Start your Xbox 360 if you have not done so already, and navigate to the “Media” blade
7. Select “Media Center”
8. Press “A” on your controller
9. If your console is connected wirelessly, and you are not connected to an 802.11a wireless network you may get a prompt, select “Continue”
   • Using an 802.11b wireless solution is inadequate for watching television through your Xbox 360 because actual throughput rarely reaches the advertised 11Mbps
   • An 802.11a network will significantly improve wireless performance over 802.11b, and may improve performance over 802.11g depending upon the wireless traffic in the area surrounding the Xbox 360 and wireless access point
10. Enter the setup key displayed on the Xbox 360 console into the appropriate text boxes in Windows Media Center
11. Select “Continue” on the Xbox 360, and select “Next” in Windows Media Center
12. Windows Media Center may prompt you if there is firewall software installed other than the built-in Windows Firewall, it is important that you configure the firewall accordingly otherwise your Xbox 360 may not be able to connect to your PC as an extender
13. Click “Next” twice
14. You may be prompted about “Away Mode”, select an option and click “Next”
15. You may be prompted about adding folders to Windows Media Center so the Xbox 360 can see the folders when it connects, select an option and click “Next”
16. Windows Media Center will now proceed to configure settings for your extender, once it is finished your Xbox 360 will connect to your PC and you will have the option to use the Network Tuner, if you choose not to click “Cancel”
    • For tips on improving your network performance go through the Network Performance Guide at Microsoft.com

Troubleshooting Media Center Extender, Zune, and Windows Media Player 11

General Troubleshooting

• Restart your computer, all intermediary networking equipment, and your Xbox 360

Zune

1. Click the “Start” or Windows-logo button on your desktop
2. Click “Control Panel”
3. Click “Classic View” or “Switch to Classic View” if you are not using the Classic view
4. Click “Administrative Tools”
5. Open “Services”
6. Scroll down to “Zune Network Sharing Service”
7. Right-click on “Zune Network Sharing Service”, and click “Restart”
8. Set any third-party firewall software (not the Windows Firewall) to its lowest security settings
   • You should have your Xbox 360 in your firewall’s trusted network if the firewall supports that type of functionality
9. Re-attempt connection with the Xbox 360

Windows Media Player

1. Click the “Start” or Windows-logo button on your desktop
2. Click “Control Panel”
3. Click “Classic View” or “Switch to Classic View” if you are not using the Classic view
4. Click “Administrative Tools”
5. Open “Services”
6. Scroll down to “Windows Media Center Extender Service”
7. Right-click on “Windows Media Center Extender Service”, and click “Restart”
8. Set any third-party firewall software (not the Windows Firewall) to its lowest security settings
   • You should have your Xbox 360 in your firewall’s trusted network if the firewall supports that type of functionality'
   • Setting your firewall to its lowest setting is for troubleshooting purposes only, if it works then you should configure your firewall to permit the ports necessary for media sharing; if it does not work you can potentially eliminate your firewall as the cause of the problem
9. Go to the “System” blade on your Xbox 360
10. Select “Computers”
11. If a “Windows Media Center” PC is listed, select “Windows Media Center” and then select “Disconnect”
12. Re-attempt connection with the Xbox 360

Poor Performance

• For tips on improving your network performance go to the Network Performance Guide at Microsoft.com
• For tips on troubleshooting wireless network performance go to the Advanced Wireless Networking Guide at Microsoft.com

Beyond troubleshooting

Software Installation

1. Click the “Start” or Windows-logo button on your desktop
2. Click “Control Panel”
3. Click “Classic View” or “Switch to Classic View” if you are not using the Classic view
4. Click “Administrative Tools”
5. Click “Event Viewer”
6. Right click on each of the Application, System, and Security logs and select “Clear All Entries” click “No” each time you are prompted
7. Proceed with the steps you followed to install the software
8. Return to the “Event Viewer” and copy down all error messages listed in Application, System, and Security
9. Copy down any error messages displayed during installation
10. Create a post in the Xbox 360 Media Connectivity Forum with the details you copied above, with a descriptive title of the problem

Xbox 360 unable to locate PC

1. Copy down the Brand name and model number of any networking equipment the Xbox 360 and PC are connected through such as:
   • Routers
   • Switches
   • Hubs
   • Modems
   • Gateways
   • Wireless Bridges
2. Copy down how exactly your Xbox 360 is connecting to your PC
3. Create a post in the Xbox 360 Media Connectivity Forum with the details you copied above, with a descriptive title of the problem

 litheon wrote:

Update Rollup 2

1. Visit Xbox.com’s PC Setup Page
2. If you are instructed to download “Update Rollup 2 for Media Center Edition 2005” click the download link
3. Ensure you save the file to somewhere you can easily access it later
4. Once the download is finished, click “Run”
5. Verify you will not be interrupting any recordings and click “Yes”
6. Click “Next”
7. Read the license agreement and check the appropriate radio button (you will need to accept the agreement in order to proceed with installation)
8. Click “Next”
9. After the installation finishes you will be prompted to restart your computer

I have media center edition 2005, but when I download update rollup 2, it says it can only be used on media 2005 edition... how can this be?