Microsoft KB Archive/929534

Knowledge Base

You cannot connect a Media Center Extender device to a Windows Vista-based computer, or the following error message occurs when you are using the device: "The connection between the Media Center Extender and the Media Center PC was lost"

Article ID: 929534

Article Last Modified on 1/9/2007

---

APPLIES TO

• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition
• Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition

---

SYMPTOMS

You cannot connect a Media Center Extender device to a Windows Vista-based computer. Alternatively, the device may be disconnected from the Windows Vista-based computer. When the device is disconnected, you receive an error message that resembles the following:

The connection between the Media Center Extender and the Media Center PC was lost due to one of the following reasons (Error code: 00020002):
- The PC has been shut down, is on standby, or is hibernating. Turn the PC back on or bring it out of standby or hibernation.
- The PC is in heavy use or is busy processing information. Try connecting again when the PC is not busy.

This behavior may also occur when you are using a Media Center Extender device for Xbox. When the Media Center Extender device for Xbox is disconnected from the Windows Vista-based computer, you receive the following error message:

The Media Center Extender for Xbox has unexpectedly disconnected from the Media Center PC. The Extender requires a connection to the computer. The Extender might have been disconnected because of network congestion, a network disconnection, or because the PC has been turned off. Press OK to reconnect.

CAUSE

This behavior occurs if a program that is running on the Windows Vista-based computer is incompatible with the Media Center Extender device. For example, this behavior occurs if a program window that is not the Windows Vista shell is displayed. If the program window is unrecognized by the Media Center Extender device, the device will be disconnected from the Windows Vista-based computer.

Unrecognized program windows may be displayed in any one of the following kinds of programs:

• Programs that implement Windows services that interact with the desktop
  

These programs display a user interface.

• Programs that are hosted in Windows services
  

These programs display a user interface.

• Stand-alone executable (.exe) programs that extend the functionalities of Windows Vista
• HTML programs that extend the functionalities of Windows Vista
  

These programs open browser windows.

• Windows Vista HTML programs that host ActiveX controls
  

These ActiveX controls are also hosted in open windows.

• Background executable programs that are started by Windows Vista HTML programs
  

Typically, Microsoft Visual Basic 6 or an earlier version is used to write these Windows Vista HTML programs.

WORKAROUND

To work around this behavior, follow these steps:

1. Determine the program that causes the symptom that is described in the "Symptoms" section.
   
   To determine the appropriate program, view the Application log in Event Viewer. To view the Application log in Event Viewer, follow these steps:
   1. Click Start[[File:../gfx/vistastartbutton.jpg|[GRAPHIC: the Start button]]], type event viewer in the Start Search box, and then click Event Viewer in the Programs list.
   2. In the User Account Control dialog box, click Continue.
   3. In the Event Viewer window, expand Applications and Services Logs, and then click Media Center.

   4. Search for the following event:

      Source: Media Center Remote Manager
      Event ID: 8
      Description: Unauthorized window was detected while running the Media Center Experience, Program_name window, with file name Program_name.exe

      The description in the event message contains the name of the window and the name of the binary executable file of the incompatible program. Both the window and the binary executable file cause the Media Center Extender device to be disconnected from the Windows Vista-based computer. If you cannot determine the incompatible program from the window name or from the executable file name, search for "Program_name.exe" on the computer. The location of the executable file that is mentioned in the event message may help you determine the incompatible program.

2. Use one of the following methods for the incompatible program that you determined in step 1:
   • Contact the program vendor to see whether they have an update program that is compatible with the Media Center Extender device.
   • See whether the program has settings that make the program work correctly with the Media Center Extender device.
   • Remove the program.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

Keywords: kbexpertisebeginner kbtshoot kbprb KB929534

---

Send feedback to Microsoft

© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.