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Knowledge Base

Xbox 360: You receive a "Connection Failed" error message when you try to connect an Xbox 360 console to a Windows Vista-based Media Center computer

Article ID: 932163

Article Last Modified on 4/25/2007

APPLIES TO

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

SYMPTOMS

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

Connection Failed
The Xbox 360 cannot connect to the Media Center based PC. Make sure the Media Center based PC is turned on and connected to the network. If you continue to see this error, check Media Center Extender Help on your Media Center based PC.

Connection Failed
The Xbox 360 was unable to prepare a connection to the Windows Vista Media Center-based PC. Restart your Xbox 360 and try again.

CAUSE

This error can occur if the computer is joined to a domain and Group Policy settings are preventing the console from connecting to the computer. Or it can occur if the Media Center Extender certificate is corrupted.

THINGS TO TRY

Method 1

Verify that the computer is not joined to a domain. To determine whether Group Policy settings are causing the connection issue, temporarily remove the computer from the domain, restart the computer, and then try to add the Xbox 360 console as an Extender again.

Method 2

Remove the Media Center Extender certificate. To remove the certificate, follow these steps:

Click Start, type mmc in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
On the File menu, click Add/Remove Snap-in.
Click Certificates, and then click Add.
Select Computer account, and then click Next.
Select Local computer, and then click Finish.
Click OK.
In the Navigation Pane under Console Root, expand Certificates, expand Personal, and then click Certificates.
Right-click Microsoft Windows Media Center Extender Host, and then click Delete.

After you remove the certificate, uninstall the Extender, and then reinstall the Extender. Follow these steps:

Start Windows Media Center.
Click Tasks, and then click Settings.
Click Extender, and then select the Xbox 360 console.
Click Uninstall.
After the uninstall process is complete, click Extender again, and then click Configure.
When you are prompted for the setup key, 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.
Return to the computer, and then enter the setup key.
Complete the Extender setup.

MORE INFORMATION

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

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

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Microsoft KB Archive/932163

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