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Media Center Studio Not Working

post #1 of 35
4/12/11 at 12:37pm
Thread Starter 
I read there were problems with MC Studio and W7 SP1. Do folks still have issues? I just recently installed MC Studio on my W7 64 bit SP1 and for me it worked at first but now any change I make to the menu strip doesn't take.
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post #2 of 35
4/12/11 at 1:36pm
I'm fighting this battle right now as well. There is a 'fix' available but it made my WMC crash at start up. I restored back but still can't fully edit Start Menu.

Here is the fix.

This is a description of what it does:

Open Windows Explorer and navigate to C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\eHome\\Packages\\MCEClientUX. Inside you’ll find two folders: dSM and dSM-2 with files inside each. To revert to the old method rename the files in these folders. Users have reported more permanent success by created a set of text files with the names of the originals and removing all access to the files.
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post #3 of 35
4/12/11 at 1:54pm
There is an EXE fix floating around too that you add to the Startup menu and add to Task Scheduler to update every time that WMC updates. Been working for me for weeks. Sorry I don't have the link...

*Edit* It's in the link posted above, 2nd page about half way down by DavidinCT and the download link right above that. Works for me, others have issues. Worth a shot.
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post #4 of 35
4/12/11 at 1:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by GatoEnFuego View Post

There is an EXE fix floating around too that you add to the Startup menu and add to Task Scheduler to update every time that WMC updates. Been working for me for weeks. Sorry I don't have the link...

I believe that's what I linked above. Sounds like it works for most, but not everyone (like me ).
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post #5 of 35
4/12/11 at 2:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbbransc View Post

I believe that's what I linked above. Sounds like it works for most, but not everyone (like me ).

I ninja-edited.
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post #6 of 35
4/12/11 at 3:55pm
Thread Starter 
The fix sounds a bit over my skill level. Seems like every time I try to add some new 'feature' I introduce new problems. I need to keep things simple. I Guess I'll live with it.

Thanks
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post #7 of 35
4/12/11 at 4:43pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thusband View Post

The fix sounds a bit over my skill level. Seems like every time I try to add some new 'feature' I introduce new problems. I need to keep things simple. I Guess I'll live with it.

Thanks

I can understand your position but it really is quite simple. Don't let all the technical crap on the 1st page discourage you. Follow DavidinCT's how-to posted on 3-5-2011 at 10:49pm and you'll be in the money. Just an bit of a clarification when he says "Open it, go to the Action tab, select new, (start a program) browse to your "MCSfix" file and click OK." he means to double click on mcupdate_scheduled, then you'll see the Action tab he's referring to.

It's worth this fix to have a de-cluttered and dialed in WMC menu, at least in my opinion.
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post #8 of 35
4/12/11 at 5:12pm
Thread Starter 
I should have known. I downloaded the file and ran it thinking I'd see if it fixed MC Studio before I put it in the task manager. All it did was break WMC and now it won't start at all. Any suggestions on how to remove the thing?
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post #9 of 35
4/12/11 at 6:11pm
Thread Starter 
Restored to my last image so things are OK but next time I say I want to try this new thing someone slap me.
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post #10 of 35
4/12/11 at 7:26pm
That's exactly what happened to me.
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post #11 of 35
4/13/11 at 8:05am
<--- lucky?

Sorry man.
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post #12 of 35
4/13/11 at 8:13am
Did you try running the script before placing it in the Start-Up folder? I did. It renamed the .dll file to .old1 but did NOT create the new .dll file. That's what broke my 7MC. If it DID create new .dll files for you, can you send them to me (for dSM-1 and -2)? I'd LOVE to test them and see if it fixes me.

I think I'm going to turn off ALL MSFT updates on my HTPC.
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post #13 of 35
4/13/11 at 8:29am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mbbransc View Post

Did you try running the script before placing it in the Start-Up folder? I did. It renamed the .dll file to .old1 but did NOT create the new .dll file. That's what broke my 7MC. If it DID create new .dll files for you, can you send them to me (for dSM-1 and -2)? I'd LOVE to test them and see if it fixes me.

I think I'm going to turn off ALL MSFT updates on my HTPC.

Yes, I ran it before restarting. After I ran it I noticed that it placed itself in the Start-up folder and also that 7MC was broken. I don't know if it created a new .dll as I replaced everything with a backup image.
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post #14 of 35
4/13/11 at 6:29pm
I literally just ran into this problem this weekend after reinstalling Win7 with SP1. My previous install didn't have SP1 installed, so I was much surprised when making any change in MC Studio after SP1 would cause 7MC to crash on loading...

In any case, after much research, I found that there are two halves to this fix, and only one of those two halves was posted above.

The first thing you need to fix is the StartResources.dll file located in C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\eHome\\Packages\\MCEClientUX\\dS M* (where * might be a 1, 2, etc.). Simply renaming this file or deleting it will take care of the first half of the problem, however any kind of windows update might put it back and you'll have to fix it again. There are scripts you can find online to scan this folder and rename the file if it ever does get put back. I didn't try any of them as once you get MC Studio to work I don't imagine needing to tweak with it on a regular basis, and it's easy enough to perform this step again at that time.

The second half of the problem involves copying a few updated files into your MC Studio directories so that it's working from the right baseline. First copy the files Microsoft.MediaCenter.dll and Microsoft.MediaCenter.UI.dll from your c:\\windows\\ehome directory. Now you'll have to paste them into a directory that looks something like this: C:\\users\\*your_user_name*\\Appdata\\local\\Apps\\2.0\\*hug e_string_of_junk*\\ You'll have several folders whose name looks like a huge string of junk, but you're looking for the one with MediaCenterStudio.exe inside of it, and a bunch of other MC Studio files. Just open them at random until you find the right one, then paste those two files.

Next, you need to copy ehres.dll and Microsoft.MediaCenter.Shell.dll from your c:\\windows\\ehome directory. These two you paste in c:\\ProgramData\\Media Center Studio\\Backups.

With those 4 files pasted and the StartResources.dll file renamed I was able to fully customize my start menu strips just like they used to look pre-SP1. I take no credit for the fixes, in fact I have no idea how they work or whether all four of those files are required to be moved or if you could get by with just 2 or 3 of them. I found the various fixes through Google searches in bits and pieces, mostly scattered around the www.pcmediacenter.com.au forums. Hopefully this information is helpful and I didn't mess up any of the directory names too badly .
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post #15 of 35
4/13/11 at 7:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Magius View Post

I literally just ran into this problem this weekend after reinstalling Win7 with SP1. My previous install didn't have SP1 installed, so I was much surprised when making any change in MC Studio after SP1 would cause 7MC to crash on loading...

In any case, after much research, I found that there are two halves to this fix, and only one of those two halves was posted above.

The first thing you need to fix is the StartResources.dll file located in C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\eHome\\Packages\\MCEClientUX\\dS M* (where * might be a 1, 2, etc.). Simply renaming this file or deleting it will take care of the first half of the problem, however any kind of windows update might put it back and you'll have to fix it again. There are scripts you can find online to scan this folder and rename the file if it ever does get put back. I didn't try any of them as once you get MC Studio to work I don't imagine needing to tweak with it on a regular basis, and it's easy enough to perform this step again at that time.

The second half of the problem involves copying a few updated files into your MC Studio directories so that it's working from the right baseline. First copy the files Microsoft.MediaCenter.dll and Microsoft.MediaCenter.UI.dll from your c:\\windows\\ehome directory. Now you'll have to paste them into a directory that looks something like this: C:\\users\\*your_user_name*\\Appdata\\local\\Apps\\2.0\\*hug e_string_of_junk*\\ You'll have several folders whose name looks like a huge string of junk, but you're looking for the one with MediaCenterStudio.exe inside of it, and a bunch of other MC Studio files. Just open them at random until you find the right one, then paste those two files.

Next, you need to copy ehres.dll and Microsoft.MediaCenter.Shell.dll from your c:\\windows\\ehome directory. These two you paste in c:\\ProgramData\\Media Center Studio\\Backups.

With those 4 files pasted and the StartResources.dll file renamed I was able to fully customize my start menu strips just like they used to look pre-SP1. I take no credit for the fixes, in fact I have no idea how they work or whether all four of those files are required to be moved or if you could get by with just 2 or 3 of them. I found the various fixes through Google searches in bits and pieces, mostly scattered around the www.pcmediacenter.com.au forums. Hopefully this information is helpful and I didn't mess up any of the directory names too badly .

BOMB DIGGITY!!! The fix is in!! This works!! Nice job!!
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post #16 of 35
4/14/11 at 5:03am
From what I can tell the StartResources.dll file is occasionally deployed via the WMC Updates program, and not via Windows Automatic Updates. I've found this file 3 times now in the folders mentioned, and each time I rename or delete it. I've always been able to tell it's back because any customisations you make the the WMC menus will be reset if this DLL exists. Delete/rename it, and everything returns to normal.

I haven't found any specific problems with MCS using 7MCSP1, but I'll look into this 'solution' as well.
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post #17 of 35
7/11/11 at 9:21pm
Sorry to revive old thread

I am trying to move the live tv button in front of recorded tv and it never holds, i also try to create a custom menu but it does not appear when i open wmc (it does not have one of those check boxes next to its name that enables/disables it.


Is this the fix that will work? I have 3 DSM folders. I think I must have done this a year ago (bad memory... lol). I have dsm, dsm-2 and dsm-3. The 1st 2 have both dll and the renamed old file but the 3rd one just has the dll. Should I rename the dll in all 3 folders?

I do not think this is specific to sp1, it must be related to updates in general.

Update: I renamed all 3. It worked. I did not install the scheduled task though.
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post #18 of 35
8/16/11 at 10:15am
I am tearing my hair out with this, I have tried the StartupResources.dll option and it simply crashes WMC on launch every time no matter if I create the dummy DLLs or if I just leave them missing. The only way I can get WMC to launch is to leave the original StartupResources.dll in place.

I can't move items around within the menus using MCS , nothing seems to stick, this is very very frustrating.

When I choose to 'Restore Default config' in MCS it crashes and doesn't make any changes.

I have copied over the new DLLs from the ehome dir to the MCS directories but still cannot make any changes that stick.

Any help gladly appreciated.
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post #19 of 35
8/16/11 at 10:24am
I followed the thread link in post #2, read the entire thread, and did what it said and it worked great for me!
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post #20 of 35
8/16/11 at 12:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ngsm13 View Post

I followed the thread link in post #2, read the entire thread, and did what it said and it worked great for me!

Thanks. I wnet back and uninstalled MCS, reinstalled it, did a default reset then deleted the DLLs, now it is all working the way I like it.

WOOT!!!
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post #21 of 35
3/12/12 at 9:09am
Hi all,

I know this is an old thread, but I am very frustrated by my MC Studio problems.

1. MC Studio changes don't carry through to my MC. (assuming I need to run the fix, see #2)
2. When I run the fix to rename the .dll, MC will not start. I did the items listed in this thread as well (copying other .dlls).

One person mentioned reinstalling, which I have not done because I did not install it. I just unzipped it to a specific folder--as such "reinstalling" seems pointless.

So, I am stuck.

Mostly what I want to do is hide the stock Movies strip, as I have MyMovies. The catch is that I want it done on my extender as well. Given the ability, I'd also rearrange the existing icons--but it isn't fully required.

I guess I'm saying that while I'd really like to get MC Studio working, if another tool will hide strips on the PC and an extender, I'd take it.

Thanks!
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post #22 of 35
3/12/12 at 11:31am
Assuming you have MCS installed, it no longer works? If so, try doing the fix manually. Open explorer(either open control panel or computer) click in the text bar and type this exactly: C:\\ProgramData\\Microsoft\\eHome\\Packages\\MCEClientUX then hit enter. You will see two folders at the top dSM and dSM-2. Open each folder, inside you will see StartResources.dll highlight this with one mouse click then right click and go to rename, this will highlight StartResources then press the right arrow on the keyboard this will bring you to the other side of the "dot" right arrow again to get to the end of "dll" then backspace to delete just dll. Then type old. It should now read StartResources.old then press enter. You may get a need approval from admin pop up, allow the change. Do this for both dSM folders only, do not do this for the dSM.cab that is down this list. If MCS is installed correctly you should now be able to make changes to the start menu. On occasion(couple times a year or less) 7MC guide update will replace the StartResources.dll and your menu will go back to "stock". All you need to do is navigate back to the dSM folder and rename any .dll back to .old and your custom start menu will return, no reconfiguration in MCS needed.
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post #23 of 35
3/12/12 at 12:06pm
I've done that. If I rename that .dll, then media center will not start--it crashes every time.

MCS start/runs, but the changes don't show up in MC. I'm assuming I need to get the media-center-not-starting issue taken care of first.
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post #24 of 35
3/12/12 at 2:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aeblank View Post

I've done that. If I rename that .dll, then media center will not start--it crashes every time.

MCS start/runs, but the changes don't show up in MC. I'm assuming I need to get the media-center-not-starting issue taken care of first.

Its possible you made a change in MCS that 7MC dosen't like. In MCS, under the Home tab click restore default then save, go to the Themes tab and apply . Rename the .dll's and see if 7MC opens. Certin things can be moved around in MCS with out issue while others will crash 7MC.

From your previous post it sounded like you had just ran the script for auto fix, Sorry if I came across with a "for dummies" approach.
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post #25 of 35
3/13/12 at 2:16pm
just renaming the .dll kills it, without even opening MCS. Change it back an all is good.

Its weird though, MCS seems like it is partially working even without the fix. I decided to use Mikinho's tool (turns out it does work on extenders) to remove some strips. More than just strips moved, I also "lost" some icons that I had hidden in MCS.

VERY weird. I haven't restarted to confirm if they do/don't stay.

I think I'm going to use Patchou's tool or just stick with the basics of hiding strips with Mikinho's tool. I like having the videos button to the left of the pictures button, but in the end, whatever....

Unless someone has a clue on this. I sure don't.
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post #26 of 35
3/13/12 at 3:58pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by aeblank View Post

just renaming the .dll kills it, without even opening MCS. Change it back an all is good.

Did you restore to default in MCS?
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post #27 of 35
4/23/12 at 9:20am
I did. It just doesn't seem to work.

Would it matter that it is windows 7 professional?
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post #28 of 35
4/23/12 at 9:32am
Quote:
Originally Posted by aeblank View Post

I did. It just doesn't seem to work.

Would it matter that it is windows 7 professional?

Nope.
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post #29 of 35
3/13/13 at 6:41am
I have three HTPCs running Media Center and the fix posted by Magius worked on two of the three.

On the two that worked, I had renamed the StartResources.dll files before installing Media Center Studio, so I had not made any attempt to change the Start Menu on either.

The remaining problem PC is the one I started on, and the one that led me to this thread in the first place. I’d already installed Media Center Studio. Already tried to make some changes to the Start Menu (some of which appeared to work, most did not).

Now I’m at the same point as aeblank: try to rename or remove the dll files and Media Center crashes on startup. I am guessing that some saved Media Center Studio files are causing this, but an uninstall/reinstall of Media Center Studio and Media Center itself did not help either.

If anyone has any ideas, I’m all ears.
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post #30 of 35
3/13/13 at 8:46am
I gave up on MCS and switched over to MCE Reset Toolbox. Now I can do everything I did with MCS, plus manage the TV guide and guide data and backup all my changes and channel lineups.
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