EPG Guide download error 21 in Media Center

Helpdesk

Phil_Gravett - 19 October 2008 - 3:18pm

I have an Evesham Media Center PC with Widows Vista Ultimate OS.

The Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) in Windows Media Center, now fails to finish download, usually coming up with error 21 after say about 20% of the dowload. This EPG worked fine for about three months after purchasing the PC, but stopped working after that. I have done much research on the Internet for solutions, but it seems to be a very tricky problem to resolve.

Microsoft help refers the user to contact the PC supplier, which is most unhelpful, as the cause appears to be a software problem.

This problem seems to have been around since the introduction of Media Center 2005 working on XP machines.

Can you help?

Phil G

Re: EPG guide error

nick_peers - 20 October 2008 - 8:58am

It would help me immeasurably if you could tell me what research you've done and what solutions you've already attempted. I don't want to waste your time (and mine) researching possible fixes that you've already tried.

EPG Guide Download Error Research

Phil_Gravett - 21 October 2008 - 7:05am

URL's visited
http://blogs.msdn.com/astebner/articles/526231.aspx
1,2,3 and 5 tried with no success. Internet clock synchronisation is working correctly. My error code returned is not 13 but 21. ehSched.exe has outgoing priveleges for the firewall software "Bitdefender".

http://forum.wegotserved.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=2676
Useful information about accessing the ehome folder.
Error again code 13 (Vista Users), but at least the thread is more recent.
My Media Center Scheduler Service was already configured as a Network Service.

I have visited other sites but the above two were the most informative and contained info relevant or similar to my problems.

The warnings or errors in my tracehelper logs are shown in the extracts below. As far as I can tell, there seems to be a daefening silence from Microsoft concerning these problems, even though many users have experienced problems that seriously detract from the ability to record TV programs in the MC software. It is extremely frustrating and a poor reflection on Microsoft in supporting a major software component.

TRACE HELPER LOG for PC MEDIA$
-
EL So1 Source Tm1 Date and Time Ev1 Eid Cat1 Cat Description
Data decompression processing error. Couldn't decompress and secure files
State now changed to: STATE_ERROR
@ Ehepgdat Decompressing and securing files
@ Ehepgdat: Bits Run Successful
xn: bits: successful run.
The job EPG Download is in state Transferred and is 100% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Transferring and is 100% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Transferring and is 84% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Transferring and is 69% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Transferring and is 52% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Transferring and is 39% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Transferring and is 16% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Transferring and is 11% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Connecting and is 0% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Connecting and is 0% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Connecting and is 0% complete.
The job EPG Download is in state Queued and is 0% complete.
@ Ehepgdat: Bits Run
Downloading files http://pes.tvdownload.microsoft.com/epgdata/gb/5/2693374139/60/02/10/120068/120068_ListingData.txt?clientId=1781a9732feb4112894716d21e67331c&sessionToken=57278659007FD93D2538DB5F931A5007A7AC3CE7B81AB48008E4002323D7BBCA371F63BD57ADC8CED91C2DD68EFAF0CB26DFA5E64BFF219A
@ Ehepgdat Downloading files
Unable to send Hms file
@ Ehepgdat: HmsTransmit Run Failed
@ Ehepgdat Uploading HmsInfo
@ Ehepgdat Crl and Rev Info Download

Trace Helper Log for ACCOUNT "AUTO" which has administrator rights
-
EL So1 Source Tm1 Date and Time Ev1 Eid Cat1 Cat Description
ERROR: SqmApiWrapper.WaitForUploadComplete failed. Please try to ping www.msn.com prior to filing a bug.; Win32 GetLastError returned 10000109
Done with CheckEPGStatus
Done with CheckEPGStatus
VideoGuide page transition is now complete.
Starting the guide load

EPG Guide Download Error Research 2

Phil_Gravett - 21 October 2008 - 7:23am

The logs above start with the latest event. I have the complete logs in an excel file, but copying the text into the site seems to have only pasted the descriptions of the events column.

Another URL that records excatly my problem but with no suggested solution is

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/301153.aspx

Re: EPG error

nick_peers - 21 October 2008 - 3:40pm

What security software are you using? And how do you connect to the Internet? Is it directly, or through a router?

EPG Error

Phil_Gravett - 21 October 2008 - 3:56pm

BitDefender 2008 Total Security.

Connection is via Belkin Router Modem ADSL2. TheMedia PC is comnnected to the router via an ethernet cable, although there is the capability to connect the PC via wireless to the router.

EPG

Isitme - 21 October 2008 - 3:58pm

I don't know if you have tried this -

http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/forums/index.cfm?action=showthread&threadid=300383&forumid=1

It seems to work for some.

TomD

EPG Download Failure - The Cure

Phil_Gravett - 22 October 2008 - 10:25pm

Thanks for this solution, which I have copied below as follows:

Here is a possible solution

0. Grant temporarily "full access" to the RSA directory (C:\Program
Data\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA)

1. temporarily rename the MachineKeys directory to MachineKeysOld

2. create a new directory MachineKeys

3. run the tv/guide setup in Media Center

4. if step 3 was succesful, copy the newly generated key from the new
MachineKeys directory to the MachineKeysOld directory. It may happen that the
very same key already exists and can't be replaced, even by an administrator.
In that case manual appropriation of the file is required.

5. Remove the new directory MachineKeys

6. Rename MachineKeysOld back to MachineKeys.

7. Restore the initial permissions of "Everyone" for the RSA directory.

I reached stage 3 which succesfully downloaded the guide for me. The new machinekey file generated during this process had the same reference as the oldest of the 6 machine codes in old directory. Consequently the problem of copying and replacing the machinekey could not be completed.

I did not understand the reference to "manual appropriation of the file", and I was also concerned that the processes described may have adverse effects on the stability of windows or other programmes. I wish to exercise some caution before proceeding further.

Re: possible cure

nick_peers - 23 October 2008 - 7:46am

Phil,

I'm actually wondering what the point of steps 4-6 actually are. Surely the point is to create a MachineKeys folder that the file can be copied into by the Media Guide setup program, and which then works as it should. I would jump to step 7 and see if the guide now behaves itself over the next few days. If it does, I'd say Tom found the solution with steps 1-3.

Another solution posited - but to me sounds more like a workaround than a solution - is to temporarily switch off User Account Control from the User Accounts Control Panel. Some have reported being able to download the guide once this is switched off, but don't mention whether or not they're then able to switch User Accounts Control back on and still download the guide (somehow I doubt it).

Please let us know how you get on either way.

EPG Guide - still not a total cure

Phil_Gravett - 24 October 2008 - 7:11am

Nick

This is still not a total cure as the guide update is falling over again with an error 21 code. Although it looks like I could work around the problem every two weeks, I am obviously looking for a total fix in order that I have all round confidence in using Media Center.

Interestingly a second machine key has been generated in th machinekeys folder. I do not fully understand the purpose of the machine keys, and why more than one key should be required, They seem to be some sort of security feature associated with Internet Explorer and internet usage. There aren't too many clues on the Microsoft knowledge base as to what purpose they serve.

I am wondering whether I might be advised to try Media Portal as a substitute all round media solution.

Altenatively I could use the EPG guide system supplied with my Hauppage twin tuner. Ultimately I would prefer to have just one software programme to control all my media requirements - TV, music, video and pictures.

However my first priority is to try to solve the media center problems.

Re: EPG Guide

nick_peers - 24 October 2008 - 8:24am

Phil,

Unfortunately you may need to consider Media Portal, but verify it's compatible with your TV tuner before installing it (there should be a list of compatible devices on the Media Portal page).

Perhaps the continuing problem is evidence that steps 4-6 are required, in which case if you search for "MachineKeys" and "error 21" you should find extensive reference to this workaround - with a bit of luck, someone else will have posted a less confusing guide to following these steps to see if it resolves the problem once and for all. As this seems to be the only solution doing the rounds (and people are reporting success with it), it makes sense to research it a little further if you can.

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