About a week ago the Dell XPS410 I bought arrived at home, I used a dvi to hdmi cable to connect it to my Sony TV. The OS also had drivers for the Logitech Keyboard, Pinnacle HD USB tuner and Linksys USB wireless adapter I added.  However I get repeated dialog boxes stating that I have Sonic's DLA software which is i  incompatible withVista. It's sad that software that Dell bundled isn't compatible with the shipped OS and uninstalling drag to disc resolved that dialog<br />
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However I was not able to play a SVCD I had made as well as mpeg and avi files that all played on my WXP machine. I suspected wither the content protection or a codec issue. I updated the graphics drivers and switched to an analog connected monitor and had the same issue which led me down the codec path. I uninstalled the bundled Roxio light software and installed the full Nero suite and now can play those files within the Nero media player however the Windows media player still doesn't play them. Looks like the bundled Windows codecs in Vista aren't up to what was included in XP. I'm also wondering if this <a href="http://http://www.cs.auckland.ac.nz/%7Epgut001/pubs/vista_cost.html">paper</a> regarding DRM might explain some of the issues I am seeing. <br />
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<a href="http://thegreenbutton.com/">Media Center</a> works pretty well and I watched David Letterman that I recorded the previous night although the screen seemed darker on my Sony TV as opposed to the analog monitor. <br />
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2/10/07 <br />
After googling a bit to see if could figure out the reason why <a href="http://www.videolan.org/vlc/">VLC</a> wasn't working in Vista I came across this post which suggested some <a href="http://computerbits.wordpress.com/2007/01/25/vlc-media-player-problem-under-vista/">setting changes</a> which I have listed below which worked and now I have VLC functioning :-)<a href="http://computerbits.wordpress.com/2007/01/25/vlc-media-player-problem-under-vista/"></a>  <ol> <li>Open VLC media player.  </li><li>Click on <strong>Settings </strong>and select <strong>Preferences…</strong> .  </li><li>Expand <strong>Video </strong>and click on <strong>Output modules</strong>.  </li><li>Check <strong>Advanced options</strong> in the lower right corner.  </li><li>Set Video output module to either “<strong>DirectX</strong>“, “<strong>OpenGL</strong>” or “<strong>Windows GDI</strong>“</li></ol>(I'm told that OpenGL involves emulation and DirectX is a better choice) <br />
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2/11/07 <br />
I attempted to connect my old Logitech Quickam 3000, Vista detected the new hardware and proceeded to download and install drivers via Windows Update. During the install process a "file not found" error was displayed and the install failed. I attempted to install the latest Quickcam drivers from Logitech which did not work nor did the XP drivers Logitech had for my specific model of webcam. <br />
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I then decided to swap out that webcam with the Microsoft VX-3000 camera I bought last year. Vista detected the camera but could not find drivers via Windows update (kind of surprising for a Microsoft webcam). I found Vista drivers on <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/downloads/default.mspx">Microsoft's site</a> and downloaded and installed using those drivers. Video testing seemed very sluggish via Yahoo's IM client (had to go into preferences and specify the webcam), smooth via Windows Messenger (not surprising) and I've not tried out AIM yet. <br />
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2/12/07 <br />
Late Sunday night I set media center to record the remastered Star Trek on the local HD channel. I found the actual media file and VLC was able to play it. This evening I used media center to burn it onto a DVD which looks very good although it took a eternity to transcode and burn. <br />
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2/15/07 <br />
When I leave the PC on 24x7 I seem to encounter this error message daily. "Display driver R300 stopped responding and has successfully recovered." <br />
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2/16/07 <br />
I received this emailing a few days ago which has me thinking about getting a firewall which does block outbound traffic.  <p>"Microsoft claims that the firewall in Windows Vista provides blocking of both incoming and outgoing connections, but testing shows that the outgoing blocking is turned off by default, and the user has to turn on outgoing blocking. Turning on outgoing blocking not easy, with confusing wording in the firewall settings screens.</p>
<p><a title="blocked::http://blogs.zdnet.com/Berlind/?p=331" href="http://blogs.zdnet.com/Berlind/?p=331">http://blogs.zdnet.com/Berlind/?p=331</a> <br />
<a title="blocked::http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&amp;articleId=9010661" href="http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&amp;articleId=9010661">http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&amp;articleId=9010661</a>" <br />
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2/22/07 <br />
Speaking of firewalls, ever since I got my Vista PC Windows Defender isn't defending me. When I attempt to turn it on it goes right to the "downloading updates" dialog. The dialog says there are no available updates and I end up back at the Security Center window which shows and states Defender is turned off. I did get a Windows update prompt for a Defender update which appeared to download and install. Perhaps the next time Windows Update prompts me for a Defender update I'll skip it and see if the "activate Defender" update dialog picks it up and then activates the firewall. <br />
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I also am getting a periodic .net framework <a href="http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgpd6737_0fhskmw">error message</a> that a "Application attempted to perform a operation not allowed by the security policy". The error appears to be Media Center related as all my scheduled recordings didn't happen. <br />
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2/23/07 <br />
Well, this morning I saw up to the .net framework error message again and once again my scheduled recordings didn't happen so I guess it's fair to say Media Center is broken :-( <br />
My wireless connection wasn't functioning and it seems since I took the latest Windows Update for the network adapter this has been happening too often so I rolled back the driver and will keep my fingers crossed. </p>
<p>Reload time....</p>
<p>I just reloaded with the Dell Vista OS recovery DVD. </p>
<p>I then ran windows update and told it I would like updates for products other than Windows.</p>
<p>I then downloaded and installed the latest <a href="http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/vista32/common-vista32.html">ATI drivers </a>and drivers for my Microsoft <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/DownloadResult.aspx?prod=VX3000&amp;os=vista32bit&amp;lang=en&amp;driverVersion=LifeCam%201.3%2032-bit%20and%2064-bit%20for%20Windows%20Vista">VX3000 webcam</a> and installed messenger.</p>
<p>Ran Medica Cetner setup and it looks like if you choose custom install and setup a non-digital signal first you can have both types of sources. So sometime I will have to try connecting my Sat. dish as well as the over the air digital source.</p>
<p>After I reinstall anti virus it'll be time to install VLC and <a href="http://www.nero.com/nero7/enu/nero7-up.php">Nero </a>, <a href="http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/">Firefox</a>, <a href="http://www.izarc.org/download.html">IZarc</a>, <a href="http://www.quickpar.org.uk/Download.htm">QuickPar</a> and the other IM clients I use.</p>
<p>2/25</p>
<p>All seems to be working well now, Media Center is recording shows and although my computer  has power settings  to go into standby mode it seems to wake up and record as scheduled. However when it wakes up from standby mode the wireless connection needs to be bounced before it functions. I installed beta Netgear wireless <a>drivers</a> to replace the generic ones Vista chose to see if that helps.</p>
<p>2/26</p>
<p>I saw this list of <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/933305">applications</a> that have been blessed by Micro$oft for use with Vista.</p>
<p>2/27</p>
<p>Looks like going with the Netgear beta drivers instead of the Realtek Semiconductor Corp. -  RTL8187 Wireless 802.11g 54Mbps USB 2.0 Network Adapter that Vista and Windows Update wants to install is a good idea as I can now come out of standby mode without having to bounce my wireless connection.</p>
<p>3/2/07</p>
<p>The <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/103-9275727-6674226?ie=UTF8&amp;keywords=La%20Crosse%20Technology%20Barometric%20WS-3510U-AL%20Professional%20Touch%20Screen%20Station%20%20&amp;tag=jimboshomepag-20&amp;Go.x=0&amp;index=blended&amp;Go=Go&amp;Go.y=0&amp;link%5Fcode=qs">Weather station</a> I ordered from Amazon arrived today, unfortunately I didn't order a serial port with my Dell. I unearthed a Belkin F5U103 USB Serial adapter I had bought a few years back, Vista did not find drivers for it so I downloaded <a href="http://www.belkin.com/support/article/?lid=en&amp;pid=F5U103&amp;aid=4314&amp;scid=0">XP drivers</a> and a com port appeared in device manager.  However the weather software that came with the device didn't detect anything on the com port and fiddling with com port settings didn't help anything. So after verifying that the device did work on my XP box with a onboard serial port I ordered a serial port  <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815166004">PCI</a> card from newegg and will try that port instead.</p>
<p>3/8/07</p>
<p>I finally figured out a workaround to get <a href="http://bnr2.org/">Binary News Reaper</a> to work, If I right click on the shortcut and select run as administrator it'll get past the scanning database section where it has been hanging of late. I have not idea why I have to do this when I didn't before. <br />
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<p>Another puzzle that has cropped up it that if I have the power settings set to allow standby mode and then shut off my TV when I turn the TV back on the only way to get a display back is to power cycle the computer. I tried telling the computer and display to never go into standby and that made no difference. I updated to the latest ATI drivers from their website and that made no difference. I just installed Dell's graphic driver <a href="http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?c=us&amp;l=en&amp;s=gen&amp;releaseid=R148784&amp;ref=sdc_dlsource">update </a> and will cross my fingers and toes.</p>
<p>3/9/07</p>
<p>Sigh, I iterated through using the std. Vista graphics driver, Dells latest ATI driver and ATI's latest driver and the only way I can get a video signal back is to go through the steps noted above. From this <a href="http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&amp;task=knowledge&amp;questionID=20848">ATI KB</a> it looks like I am not alone. On the bright side the PCI card I bought installed without issue and Vista found good drivers and my Weatherstation is now working.</p>
<p>3/28/07</p>
<p>Yea!! Ati updated their driver to <a href="https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/7-3_vista32_dd_ccc_enu_43741.exe">7.3</a> and the <a href="https://a248.e.akamai.net/f/674/9206/0/www2.ati.com/drivers/catalyst_73_release_notes.html">release notes</a> do indeed talk of my HDMI issue and after install the switching problem does appear to be fixed :-)! Also a freind remembered my grumbling about data transfer slowness issues between my XP and my new Vista box and Engadget has a <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/28/vista-users-complaining-of-slow-file-movements/">post</a> describing that very problem. Guess that's what you get for trying a new OS. After reading a post on <a href="http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/163921.aspx">thegreenbutton.com</a> regarding remote record with Media Center I installed it and it's pretty nifty to be able to schedule recordings from any web browser.</p>
<p>4/1/07</p>
<p>I wish I could say this was April fools but I can't. When I installed version 1.3 and the install rebooted my machine it bluescreened. The bluescreen rebooted it again and the system came up and my initial problem was indeed resolved and I could see my display after turning off the HDTV or changing it's inputs. I thought that time was just a anomoly but the next time I rebooted my machine it bluescreened and then rebooted and then bluescreened and the cycle repeated until I booted into safemode. Once I did a system restore to before the 1.3 I was then able to boot but was at the old driver with the old problem. Reinstalling 1.3 from either safe mode or 1.2 result in the same bluescreen cycle.</p>
<p>4/5/07</p>
<p>Yesterday I made a couple of posts to usenet groups and one response pointed me to Driverheaven's forums where a thread was underway on this very problem and today a <a href="http://www.driverheaven.net/windows-radeon-display-drivers/133161-who-has-probs-bsods-vista-7-3-a-15.html#post1041340">post</a> was made with a <a href="http://support.ati.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=894&amp;task=knowledge&amp;questionID=26900">hotfix</a> which seems to have fixed the problem :-)</p>
<p>3/21/08</p>
<p>I attempted to play a HD-DVD disc and discovered my system was not HDCP compliant.   </p>
<p>If you intend to watch hd-dvd or blue-ray or other copy protected video via your PC be sure to buy a videocard that states it is HDCP compliant.</p>
<p> My current ATI X1300 card does not state that it is and the <a href="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8358225&amp;st=ati+2400&amp;lp=1&amp;type=product&amp;cp=1&amp;id=1177112902687">ATI 2400</a> replacement card I am buying states that it is and I hope that will resolve the HDCP error I am currently getting when I attempt to play a hd-dvd disc.</p>
<p>Vista SP1 is not showing up in Windows Update, after many iterations and reading a <a href="http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=948343">Microsoft KB</a> I removed the SigmaTel Audio driver and allowed Vista to install a generic audio driver in it's place and SP1 then showed up as a available update.<br />
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<p>3/22/08</p>
<p>Have the card installed, hdmi connection made and graphics drivers updated. Alas I still do not appear to have a HDCP compliant configuration and get a error "Connection: Digital (without HDCP)". <br />
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<p>A new problem has arisen, when playing live or prerecorded video in Media Center I am getting a green screen. I found this <a href="http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/1/216731/ShowThread.aspx">thread</a> online which described the following reg changes to resolve the issue:</p>
<p>Viewing 1080i broadcasts on 2400 (pro or xt) based graphics cards shows a green screen. Can temporarily get around it by toggling between full screen and window mode, but a permanent fix is:</p>
<p>Search the registry for the Key - DXVA until find the one in CurrentControlSet. ie.<br />
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{nnnnn}\0000\UMD\DXVA</p>
<p>Add the following 4 Values as REG_SZ and set to "0"</p>
<p>DXVA_NOHDDECODE<br />
DXVA_Only24FPS1080H264<br />
DXVA_DetailEnhance<br />
DXVA_TRDenoise</p>
<p>Also, go up 2 levels and set<br />
DXVA_WMV_NA = 0</p>
<p>If have a dual monitor system, may need to repeat for the \0001\ control set</p>
<p>Installed the SP1 update for Vista in the remote chance that it would help my HDCP issue but alas it didn't although on the bright side the SP install went smoothly.<br />
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3/23/08<br />
Ticket opened with ATI on the HDCP issue and HDTV channel reception issue solved :-)<br />
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Since late last week I have been unable to get digital channel 11 or 13 via Mediacenter. I could get them via my TV which is connected to the same antenna so after playing with the antenna a bit I started searching online and found this <a href="http://thegreenbutton.com/blogs/pnear/archive/2006/09/12/202708.aspx">blog</a>. I checked the mappings for those channels and sure enought they were wrong!. The location of the files listed in the blog are different since I am running Vista and once I found them in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\eHome\EPG\prefs and after experimentation I found the solution was to delete the offending entry's in atscchannels.xml and use Media Center's add missing channels menu to put them in correctly which essentially adds them to atscprefs.xml.<br />
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3/24/08<br />
ATI responded that I need to speak with the partner who built my graphics cards as they do not certify cards with onboard HDMI connectors. I have now contacted Visiontek for support.<br />
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7/27/08<br />
I got on a tangent about the digital subchannels I receive over the air not having guide information. After some research on this apparently widely seen problem I came across this <a href="http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/144661.aspx">post </a>and entering CA65194X per those instructions gave me more detailed guide information.<br />
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10/14/08<br />
I had previously hacked the registry to enable a third ATSC tuner but read about a Vista Media Center updated called the <a href="http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2331431,00.asp">TV Pack 2008</a> which I installed and now can use all 3 tuners and see the digital subchannels I was missing before !!<br />
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1/3/09<br />
It looks like the ATI 3450 graphics/audio card I installed doesn't do <a href="http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1079272">7.1 LPCM</a>, guess it's a good thing I don't have a 7.1 speaker system.<br />
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2/1/09<br />
<a href="http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3411">8-channel LPCM</a>  appears to be supported by the <a href="http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3420&amp;p=2">ATI Radeon HD 4350 and 4550</a>  so it looks like it's time for me to get the <a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121287">4350</a>  :-)<br />
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2/5/09<br />
I got the 4350 and installed it and guess what? Now I don't have Dolby Digal and DTS available to me in the vista sound control panel nor do I have 7.1 audio. I fiddled with it for awhile and got a useless response to my ticket with ATI so returned the card and decided to stay with the 3450 until I get the gumption to try again.<br />
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"></span><p>       </p>