The options under Tasks→Settings→General offer the greatest
flexibility in managing and troubleshooting Windows Media Center. This
section provides detailed troubleshooting information with devices in
Windows Media Center.1. Troubleshooting with the Windows Media Center Setup Menu
Selecting Tasks→Settings→General→Windows Media Center
Setup allows you to configure your options as you did during initial
installation of the product. This enables you to set up your Internet
connection using the same menu as the original installation wizard.
Setting up your TV signal brings up the wizard to install the TV tuner
card, which you need in order to watch TV and record desired shows.
Using the Set Up Your Speakers option allows you to configure the sound
within Windows Media Center, or change the settings previously input
into the application during the initial installation, which may be
necessary when you update your sound system or have trouble with sound
working correctly in Windows Media Center.
Selecting Tasks→Settings→General→Extras Library Options allows you
to control how applications control the media experience, access media
information, and set the Windows Media Center Internet security
settings. You also can edit programs and how they interact with Windows
Media Center.
Selecting Tasks→Settings→General→Extras Library lists the
different programs that can connect to Windows Media Center. Checking or
unchecking a particular application allows or disallows the application
to connect to Windows Media Center for content. These settings can help
you diagnose problems with other applications and with Windows Media
Center.
Selecting Tasks→Settings→General→Startup
and Windows Behavior allows you to manage Windows Media Center startup
behavior. You can have Windows Media Center start automatically during
Windows startup, or leave it in the default mode, requiring you to start
the program manually from the Start menu.
Selecting Tasks→Settings→General→Visual and Sound Effects allows
you to manage transition animations and navigational sounds. You can
also manage the Windows Media Center color scheme and contrast.
Selecting Tasks→Settings→General→Windows Media Setup→Configure
Your TV or Monitor allows you to adjust your display settings within
Windows Media Center for optimal viewing.
The Microsoft website offers additional information on
troubleshooting Windows Media Center. Visit http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-media-center/default.aspx
for more information. Many different websites and blogs versed in
troubleshooting Windows Media Center problems exist on the Web and are
easy to access using an online search engine.
2. Troubleshooting Windows Media Center Networking Issues
If you have problems with network settings and
configuration during the Setup Wizard, this section describes how to
overcome common obstacles and get your networking issues corrected.
First, you need to know what type of network card you have installed in
your system. Second, you need to have the latest driver from the
manufacturer.
Once you have the items you need to find your way around Device
Manager in Windows 7, you can open Device Manager by selecting the Start
menu, right-clicking on the Computer icon, and selecting Manage. This
opens Computer Management. In Computer Management, double-click the
Device Manager node in the left pane. Then, in the right pane, click the
+ sign next to Network Adapters. This will show you the networking
devices connected to your system. Once you have identified that a
network card exists, right-click the appropriate icon and select
Properties from the context menu.
Under the General tab listing, you’ll see the device type,
manufacturer, and location of the device. You also should see the Device
Status listing, which should say “This device is working properly.” If
you do not see that the device is working properly, you need to click
the Driver tab. The Driver tab has several buttons available for use.
You need to click the “Update driver” button for this example. Once you
have clicked this button, select “Browse my computer for driver
software.” Select the path to the driver you have for the network card
and click the Next button. Windows 7 automatically installs the driver
from the listing you gave and updates the driver on your system. Most of
the time this will fix any problems you have with a network card.
If this procedure does not fix the
problem, you may need to verify that the hardware actually works. You
can do this by inserting a second network card, or running utilities
available online. If you continue to have problems when you add a new
card, you need to determine whether the slot in the motherboard is
working correctly. Move the card into a new slot and see whether Windows
7 picks it up after you reboot. Make sure to turn off the system
completely by unplugging the computer from the wall outlet before you
attempt to remove or install any hardware devices.
3. Troubleshooting TV Tuner and Video Capture Problems
If you have problems with your video card or video
capture/tuner card during Windows Media Center configuration, check for
known problems in Action Center and determine whether an updated driver
is available as a solution. You can also have Windows run a check of
your computer by clicking the “Check for solutions” link on the
Maintenance panel in Action Center. If a driver is found, install it.
Otherwise, you need to verify that you have the latest driver available
from the manufacturer. You need to know the manufacturer of the card
first, and then download the driver file from the company’s website.
Once you have retrieved the files, open Device Manager in Windows 7 and
update the driver for the card, as discussed previously for network
cards.
This procedure fixes the majority of issues you’ll find with video
cards. However, if you continue to have problems, you will need to
verify that the card works correctly. Usually when you have video
problems, you can identify them well before you load the operating
system. If a video card fails to work correctly, you will not see any
POST information from the system. If you are using a video capture or TV
tuner card, this does not always stand true, however. If you have
problems with these types of cards after updating the drivers in the
operating system, you will need to move the card to a different slot to
verify that the problem follows the card. If the card works in another
slot, you need to check your motherboard for problems with the PCI bus.
Make sure to turn off the system completely by unplugging the computer
from the wall outlet before you attempt to remove or install any
hardware devices.
4. Troubleshooting Sound Problems
If you have problems with network settings and
configuration during the Setup Wizard, this section describes how to
overcome common obstacles and correct your sound issues. First, you need
to know what type of sound card you have installed on your system.
Second, you need to have the latest driver from the manufacturer. Once
you have retrieved the files, you need to open Device Manager in Windows
7 and update the driver for the card, as discussed previously for
network cards and video cards.
Most of the time this will fix any
problems you have with a network card. If this procedure does not fix
the problem, you may need to verify that the hardware actually works.
You can do this by inserting a second sound card, or by running
utilities available online. If you continue to have problems when you
add a new card, you need to determine whether the slot in the
motherboard is working correctly. Move the card into a new slot and see
whether Windows 7 picks it up after you reboot. Make sure to turn off
the system completely by unplugging the computer from the wall outlet
before you attempt to remove or install any hardware devices.
