Microsoft KB Archive/932306

Knowledge Base

How to configure folders to share media with a Media Center Extender

Article ID: 932306

Article Last Modified on 10/23/2007

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APPLIES TO

• Microsoft XBox 360 Video Game System
• Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Microsoft Xbox

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SUMMARY

This article describes how to configure folders to share media that is stored on a Windows Media Center-based PC between the computer and a Media Center Extender.

Note This information applies to a Media Center PC that is running Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista.

This article discusses the following topics:

• Configure permissions to the folders to which you want to have access
• Share digital media files that are stored on a Windows XP Media Center PC
• Share digital media files that are stored on a Windows Vista-based Media Center PC
• Add folders that contain digital media to the Media Center Extender

MORE INFORMATION

With a Media Center Extender, you can enjoy anywhere in your home media that is stored on a Windows Media Center PC. After you add an Extender to a computer that is running Media Center, you can add digital media files to the libraries of the Extender. On the Extender, you can specify the folders on the Media Center PC or on the local network that contain digital media files that you want to access by using the Extender. After you specify the folders, the files in these folders are available to you in the picture, video, and music libraries of the Extender.

Configure permissions to the folders to which you want to have access

When you set up the Media Center Extender, it is automatically configured to use the same digital media files that are used on the Media Center PC. If you want to add other digital media files that are stored on the Media Center PC, you must add these folders by using Library Setup on the Extender. Before you add a new folder to one of the Extender libraries, the Extender must have the appropriate permissions to access the folder.

To configure the permissions for a folder on a Windows Vista-based Media Center PC, follow these steps:

1. Locate the media folder to which you want the Extender to have access.
2. Right-click the folder, and then select Properties.
3. On the Security tab, click Edit.
4. Click Add.
5. Under Enter the object name to select, type the name of the Extender account, and then click OK.

   Note If more than one Extender is connected to a Windows Vista-based Media Center PC, the number of the Media Center account is incremented. For example, the name of the first Extender account is MCX1, the name of the second Extender account is MCX2, and so on.

6. For the MCX1 account, make sure that the following permissions are set to Allow:
   • Modify
   • Read
   • Execute
   • List folder contents
   • Read
   • Write

   
   

   Note The account starts with "uuid," followed by a group of numbers, followed by the account name in parentheses.
7. Click OK to apply these settings.
8. Click OK to exit the folder properties.

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Share digital media files that are stored on a Windows XP Media Center PC

To allow a Media Center Extender to access digital media files that are stored on a Windows XP Edition Media Center PC that is on the same network as the Extender, you must configure sharing for the appropriate folders, enable the guest account, and configure the Windows firewall.

Configure sharing for folders that contain digital media

1. Locate the media folders that you want to share with the Extender.
2. Right-click each folder, and then click Sharing and Security.
   
3. Under Network Sharing and Security, select the Share this folder on the network check box.

   Note If simple file sharing is disabled, click Share this folder.

4. If the folder contains pictures that you want to be able to edit from the Extender, select the Allow network users to change my files check box.
5. Click OK.

Enable the guest account

For the Media Center Extender to connect to the Windows XP Media Center Edition-based PC, you must enable the guest account. If you do not enable the guest account or if the guest account does not have the appropriate share permissions, the connection will not work correctly.

To enable the guest account on the Windows XP Edition-based Media Center PC, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type compmgmt.msc, and then click OK.
2. Expand Local Users and Groups, and then click Users.
3. Double-click Guest, and then clear the Account is disabled check box.
4. Select OK.

Configure Windows Firewall

1. Click Start, click Run, type firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
2. On the Exceptions tab, select the File and Printer Sharing check box, and then click OK.
   

Note If you use a third-party firewall, read the firewall documentation for more information about how to configure the firewall to allow file sharing.

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Share digital media files that are stored on a Windows Vista-based Media Center PC

To allow the Media Center Extender to access digital media files that are stored on a Windows Vista-based Media Center PC that is on the same network as the Extender, you must configure sharing for the appropriate folders, turn on file sharing, and turn off password protected sharing.

Configure sharing for folders that contain digital media

1. Find the folder that contains the media that you want to share with the Extender.
2. Right-click the folder, and then click Share.
3. In the File Sharing dialog box, type Everyone, and then click Add. Everyone appears in the list of users.
4. Under Permission Level, make sure that Reader appears for Everyone. If the folder contains pictures that you want to edit by using the Extender, set the permission level to Co-Owner.
5. Click Share to apply the settings.

   If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or click Continue.

6. Click Done.

Turn on file sharing

1. Open the Network and Sharing Center item in Control Panel. To do this, click Start, type network and sharing center in the Start Search box, and then click Network and Sharing Center in the Programs list.
2. In the Sharing and Discovery area, verify that On appears next to File sharing. If On does not appear, click the down arrow, click Turn on file sharing, and then click Apply.
   

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or click Continue.

Turn off password protected sharing

1. Open the Network and Sharing Center item in Control Panel. To do this, click Start, type network and sharing center in the Start Search box, and then click Network and Sharing Center in the Programs list.
2. In the Sharing and Discovery area, verify that Off appears next to Password protected sharing. If Off does not appear, click the down arrow, click Turn off password protected sharing, and then click Apply.
   

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password or click Continue.

Note If you use a third-party firewall, read the firewall documentation for more information about how to configure the firewall to allow file sharing.

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Add folders that contain digital media to the Media Center Extender

To add shared folders to the Extender, follow these steps on the Extender:

1. Start Media Center.
2. On the Media Center menu, select Tasks, and then select Settings.
3. Select Library Setup.
4. Select Add folder to watch, and then select Next.
5. Select Add folders on this computer, and then select Next.
6. Select the folders that you want to watch, and then select Next.
7. Select Finish.
8. Let the Add Media process finish. After the Add Media process is complete, you are returned to the Settings menu.

You can now access the digital media files that are stored in these folders by using the console.

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

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

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