Microsoft KB Archive/932164

= Xbox 360: You receive a &quot;Can’t Contact PC&quot; error message when you try to connect an Xbox 360 console to a Windows Vista-based Media Center computer =

Article ID: 932164

Article Last Modified on 4/25/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft XBox 360 Video Game System
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Microsoft Xbox

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SYMPTOMS
When you try to connect an Xbox 360 console to a Windows Vista-based Media Center computer, you receive the following error message:

Can’t Contact PC

Your console can’t contact your PC with Windows Media Center. Make sure your PC is on and connected to the network.



Method 1
If the Xbox 360 console was previously connected to a different Windows Media Center-based computer and that computer is unavailable, you will receive this message when you try to set up the console as a Windows Media Center Extender and the console tries to retrieve the setup key.

To remove the connection data that links the Xbox 360 console and the computer that is unavailable, follow these steps:
 * 1) On the Xbox 360 Media Remote, press the Y button.
 * 2) Press the Windows Media Center Start button.
 * 3) Note the eight-digit setup key.
 * 4) Return to the computer, and then enter the setup key.
 * 5) Complete the extender setup.

Note You can connect an Xbox 360 console to only one computer at a time. To reconfigure the console to work with a different computer, you must remove the connection data. For more information about how to configure the console to work with a different computer, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

932208 Xbox 360: You cannot connect an Xbox 360 console to more than one Media Center-based computer

Method 2
Determine whether the firewall settings are preventing the console and the computer from communicating with one another.

This issue can occur if the computer and the console have been moved from the original network and the new network is configured incorrectly. When a Windows Vista-based Media Center computer is connected to a new network, the default location type is set to public. This location type does not allow a connection between an Xbox 360 console and a computer unless you adjust the firewall.

For more information about how to set up a firewall to work with a Windows Media Center-based computer, visit the following Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/mediacenter/windowsfirewall.mspx

Method 3
If you are using a third-party firewall, the required firewall ports may not be open on the computer. For more information about how to set up a firewall to work with a Windows Media Center-based computer, visit the following Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/mediacenter/windowsfirewall.mspx

Method 4
Determine whether the Windows Media Center Extender Service is running. If the service is not running, restart the service. To restart this service, follow these steps:
 * 1) Click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], type services.msc in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
 * 2) In the list of services, right-click Windows Media Center Extender Service, and then click Start.



MORE INFORMATION
When you connect an Xbox 360 console as a Windows Media Center Extender, you must enter an eight-digit setup key. If the Xbox 360 console was previously connected to a computer, the console may not provide the eight-digit key that you need. When an Xbox 360 console is connected to a computer, the console stores connection data that enables the console to connect to that computer. If the connection data for the computer is present on the Xbox 360 console, the console will try to connect to that computer. This connection data will prevent the Xbox 360 console from providing a new eight-digit key to connect to a second computer. Typically, removing the connection data from the console resolves this issue.

For more information about Windows Media Center Extenders, visit the following Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/mediacenter/default.mspx

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