Windows Vista Media Center Guide won't download

I am running Windows Vista Ultimate. There is no problem with my network connection. I am able to download any updates, browse the Internet, even download streaming video. However, the Media Center Guide will not download. I get the error "Internet Connection Failure" which states, "Windows Media Center is unable to connect to the Internet to download the Guide information, Befoe trying to download again connect to the Internet manually or set up your connection in General Settings." I have tried this more than one time. I have also disabled my Antivirus and Firewall but to no avail. For further information the Guide worked when the system was first set up. The only thing that I can think to do is a complete reinstall.

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,

If you use a third party firewall, check that Windows Firewall has not been enabled.

Troubleshoot problems with an Internet connection in Windows Media Center

 

I only wish that it was that easy. The Windows troubleshooing guide is of no help. It stops with a good Internet connection, which I have. As stated in my post all internet activity is fine with the exception of the Guide. I have shut down the firewall and the problem persists. I have gone back through the Guide set up to no avail. I would like to know the program names that are included in Media Center, specifically the one that runs the guide, to make sure that my CA firewall doesn't block it. Any further suggestions would be appreciated.

 

I might not be much specific help, I don't run Media Center (I have set up my own media on a Win XP computer).

Did you check that Windows Firewall has not been enabled? CA firewall should have settings where you can see what programs are trying to connect, I might expect the Media Guide to be listed by name. If you disable the firewall though, I would expect it to connect.

Are you opening the page with Internet Explorer? MS baulks at running some of the other browsers.

You can have a look at these, but they don't appear to be the same error message:
Error message when you try to download the EPG listings for Live TV on a Windows Vista-based computer: "Internet connection failure "
Error message when you use Windows Media Center on a Windows Vista-based computer: "Download Incomplete. Guide listings could not be retrieved. Internet connection failure "

Unfortunately, I can only support you searching for help.

Matt

 

Sorry, those were of no help.

Both of those only retraced what I have already done. The first says that the problem is due to improper date and time which does not apply. The second suggests that you go back through the first time setup for media center, which I have done more than once.

 

I have been through both of the items that you showed. Nothing appears to make any difference. Is there any way to run a repair on the media center files? I still say that the only thing I can think of to try is a complete reinstall of Vista.

 

Is there no way to find out what files are associated with Media Center. Then I could try to restore those files. It really irritates me that Microsoft publishes this as part of their operating system but doesn't support it. That really inspires faith in them. not!!!

 

I am running Windows 7, but thought this might help you. I am not sure if you cleared up the issue or not but here it goes. Go to the general settings tab and Settup TV Signal. Try using a different zip code than the one you used, but make it for a city near you and follow the prompts until your guide is downloaded. This worked for me after getting many download error messages.

PS: I am not sure if changing my zip code actually did anything, you may want to try it with your current zip code to see if it works first as I didn't try it without the change.

 

Thank you for your response. The problem has not been resolved. I have been hoping that I would not have to reinstall Vista, for obvious reasons. I tried yor suggestion. Media Center still gives me an Internet connection failure.

 

same problem in vista home premium

The Guide worked fine for more than a year, then stopped downloading a week ago. I undid the latest update to no effect. Weirdly, it will allow me to listen to radio shows which obviously is streamed through the internet connection.