Microsoft released the Windows XP Media Center Diagnostics Kit v3.0 a few weeks ago, in conjunction with the release of Update Rollup 2.0.
After you install it, you’ll need to restart your system. When you do, you’ll see a new Media Center Diagnostic Kit group on the All Programs menu. The main utility displays a multi-tabbed window similar to the DirectX Diagnostic utility or the System Information Tool (MSInfo32.exe).
The Overview tab will give you a quick summary of any devices that don’t measure up to minimum or recommended requirements. In the example above, you can see an amber warning because this system is missing a TV tuner (not mandatory but recommended) and a red bar that highlights the absence of a suitableMPEG2 audio decoder.
The detailed test results, which can be saved as snapshots, include the following:
- Operating System version
- Windows XP Media Center Edition OS build number
- Detailed information on all installed hardware
- Detailed information on audio and video decoder software and DirectShow filter information
- Number and type of processors on the machine
- Detailed information on the configuration of Media Center. This includes: Recording information including a list of recordings and scheduled recordings as well as diagnostic logs and registry entries created by various Media Center processes.
Definitely a worthwhile tool for any Media Center owner, especially if you’re determined to build your own.
22 comments ↓
and the nice thing about this version is that it doesn’t delete all your recorded TV content like the old version did!
Just a heads-up: the window is still labelled at version 2.5.
I’m trying to troubleshoot some ATI-related capture card issues. The diagnostic kit has one item highlighted as being insufficient: Initial MPEG2 Audio Decoder Meets Requirements line is marked in red and apparently my system has been found wanting.
Yet I am able to play DVDs and listen to all other forms of audio. Any possibility of an assist? What information do I need to provide and to whom? This is a home-built system, so no refuge in Dell tech support for me…
Have the same problem…no idea how to fix it yet.
I have the same problem: Initial MPEG2 Audio Decoder Meets Requirements - FAIL I tried new drivers on my Audigy 2 ZS and new RADEON X600. It’s a dell 9150, and only had it a couple weeks. Media Center doesn’t recognise ANY music, but will play videos, sometimes.
Merry Christmas, Ed! I am trying to play with the toy Santa brought me but I am running into a problem “assembling” it. Has anyone run into this error when trying to install the Linksys Media Center Extender WMCE54AG setup software? “Media Center Extender requires Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 or later. This computer is running an unsupported version of Windows XP” The Media Center version is 5.1.2715.2773. Linksys says it’s because the System Properties shows Microsoft Wndows XP, Media Center Edtion Version 2002 Service Pack 2. I contacted Dell (sorry for using a 4-letter word on Christmas, Ed) and they say that is the version they ship with all of their pc’s.
Gerry, you’re not the first person to encounter this problem. There’s a long thread with comments from people with identical symptoms here. Unfortunately, it ends without a satisfactory resolution.
The version number you report is the same one I have here on a non-Dell machine, so I don’t think that’s the problem. However, the text you report does not look right. Where are you seeing “Microsoft Wndows XP, Media Center Edtion Version 2002 Service Pack 2″?
From another thread on another message board comes this possible suggestion: Did you install SP2 on this machine? MCE 2005 already includes SP2, and at least one poster claims this was the cause when he encountered the same problem as you did.
Ed
Ed, the text is from checking My Computer, Properties. What does yours show? It came with SP2 installed. I installed MCE Rollup 2, and all of the Windows updates and patches since it was built.
Also, the value I have for HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\MediaCenter\Ident key is 3.0. Is that correct?
Ah, I see that string in System properties now. The Version 2002 is on a separate line.
You may be on the right track with the Ident key. I see a value of 4.0 there.
Ed, changing the Ident key value to 4.0 allowed the install to proceed. Thanks! It took a couple of firewall tweaks but now I can use the extender.
After I discovered that I couldn’t watch Premium TV content I installed the Extender Rollup 1 which claimed to allow playback of CGMS-A protected TV content. In my case it doesn’t, unless the update didn’t install properly.
Does it work for you?
Gerry, I’m glad that worked!
Yes, Extender Update 1fixed the issue with CGMS-A protected content on two extenders here. Sounds like it didn’t install properly for you.
I cannot run the new version. I get a GPF :
Faulting application mcdiag.exe, version 2.5.0.0, faulting module nvauddec.ax, version 0.0.0.227, fault address 0×00045863.
Thank you for hour help.
Please disregard last post. I realized I had a downlevel nvidia decoder.
Thank you.
Ed, I was able to get the protected video to show after a Linksys tech suggested turning off my firewall! Even though I had set exceptions for ports 3776 & 3390, as recommended during the original installation.
I then located this MS KB which mentioned that ports 5555 & 7777 also should be opened -
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/extender/setup/firewall/config.mspx
However the protected content freezes or is choppy much of the time, starting around the point where the bluse screen warning used to come up. Turning off the firewall makes no difference. Other video plays fine. Is there a lot more data with protected video that is causing these issues? If so, do you think one of the MIMO routers would help?
I have this same problem with playing CGMS-A content on my MCX after the 1.01 update. The MCX is on a 100Mb wired network and I do not believe that bandwidth is the issue. Chris Lanier posted a reference to this problem (http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/archive/2004/12/21/26618.aspx) back in December of 2004. So far I have seen no solutions posted.
I have the same problem: Initial MPEG2 Audio Decoder Meets Requirements - FAIL Media Center doesn’t recognise ANY music, but will play videos, sometimes. I have a Dell 510 has anyone figued this out yet. I believe MPEG2 audio is handle by the Sonic DVD program’s decoder but I’m reluctanct to pay to replace it unless I was certain it would remedy the problem.
Anyone figured this one out yet?
I had the problem with ALL the Initial MPEG2 Audio and Video decoders. I have a Dell XPS 600. Its about a year old and I have re-installed 2 times due to worms. The latest from a codec ( W32.Myzor.FK@yf ) The system came with Sonic Digital v.7 LE & MyDVD 6.11 LE and CyberLink PowerDVD 5.5. Installing thoes 3 programs, I found that an audio Pass / Fail is what I’m left with. Initial MPEG2 Audio is Compatible ~~ min. TRUE, actual TRUE. and Initial MPEG2 Audio meets requirements ~~ min. TRUE, actual FALSE. I Hope that helps
Media Center Internet connection setup Fail, I have Direct connection with Cable , No Fire Wall No Proxy.
Internet Work fine when I use browser or any Instant messaging.
When I did the internet setup it says Connection Working.
But but, everytime I try to download the TV GUIDE I’m getting this error and now I am annoyed.
Internet Connection Failure
Details: Unknown Discovery Service error: Code 14
Please some HELP Me
cashif
My Media Center diagnostic program says Initial MPEG2 Audio is Compatible ~~ min. TRUE, actual TRUE. and Initial MPEG2 Audio meets requirements ~~ min. TRUE, actual FALSE and at the bottom it says ‘This Computer does not meet minimum requirements’ but my media center works perfect although there is a problem when i tried to install the Update Rollup 2 for Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 (KB900325). Is this related and can you help? Plz
Daz
Ignore my previous comment I’ve managed to fix it.
Daz
I am having they same problem as the guy in post 7, with the unsupported errror when I try to install the extender to connect to my xbox 360. I dont know what to do and was hoping maybe I could get some help
What do you do when the diagnostic kit has one item highlighted as being insufficient: Initial MPEG2 Audio Decoder Meets Requirements line is marked in red? What do I need to do to fix it?
[...] few weeks ago, … Internet Connection Failure Details: unknown Discovery Service error: Code 14…http://www.edbott.com/mediacenter/archives/windows-xp-media-center-diagnostics-kit-v30/Upgrading MyDVD LE… - Notebook Forums and Laptop DiscussionAug 22, 2006 … Dell E1505 windows XP [...]
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