MCE 2005 not taking remote server address

[brokenboy]

I'm using the demo version of mControl and trying to get it working with a WHS and MCE 2005 environment.

I seem to have it working on WHS fine. I can get to it from http://server/mControl on any PC in my house

What I can't do is get the MCE 2005 add-in to find the server. I've edited RemotingClient.config and MSASAddIn.config to be "server/mControl" instead of localhost. When I fire up the MCE add-in, I always get an error saying can't access "localhost:29990/default.aspx" No matter what I put in these files, I get the same error. I've rebooted multiple times with no change.

What am I missing?

[Ted Singh]

brokenboy,

Instead of "server/mControl", use "IPAddressOfWHSSystem:29990" or "server:29990" (assuming "server" is the name of your WHS PC).

Ted

[brokenboy]

The WHS plugin serves out under port 80 and /mControl. There is nothing at server:29990.

No matter though, anything I put in there causes the same error message, which references localhost. I can't even get to the point where it tries to hit anything remote.

[MitchSchaft]

I think we are editing the wrong file. I also can't find any info about using the MCE2005 addin to access a WHS box running the server software.

I'll keep looking. I assume we don't have to install the entire mcontrol package on the MCE box, just the MCE 2005 addin. And the mcontrol server on WHS.

[MitchSchaft]

The best I can tell, you have to edit the actual .mcl file. I'm still playing with it.

[MitchSchaft]

I acutally ended up buying the software today after doing more research.

Check out this blog. It shows you the steps you need to take. Pay particular attention to the fact that the full mcontrol software needs to be on both machines. Then install the MCE addin, change the file by replacing 'localhost' only with your WHS's IP (or server name). It loads up fine if you use the link from All Programs. And don't worry about those ports, leave them alone.
I'm also using the latest beta version if that has anything to do with it.

I was playing around too much earlier and lost the icon that sits in MCE2005's more programs. I followed these directions to no avail. It installs/reinstalls fine using those commands.

Just an FYI, I was successful at adding WebcamXP to the cam list and it works great. I used that as a test before buying "real" cameras.

[MitchSchaft]

Oops, be sure to restart the mcontrol service after doing the changes.

[katrash]

mControl v2.1 contains an enhanced service manager which allows you to change the "mServer.exe.xml" file settings without editing the file manually besides start/stop/restart the service. Give it a try.

[MitchSchaft]

Hey, thanks for that tip. Unfortunately, I can't find where the option is .

[MitchSchaft]

Hey, here's a manual fix for the missing icon in More Programs. I included a screenshot for selfexplanation.

First, copy this file:...
C:\Program Files\Embedded Automation\mControl\mControlMCE_XP.mcl

... to this location:
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Media Center\Media Center Programs

Then, you can leave it as is and have the plain icon, or you can add the following entries to it's registry settings for whatever picture you want to show, even background colors.

Open up your registry editor and browse to this location:...
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Media Center\Extensibility\Categories\More Programs\

... and find the key that your mControl icon entry is in (see screenshot). Add the image links to get a picture on the icon.

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Media Center\Extensibility\Categories\More Programs\{your_number_will_be_different}]
"ShadowCopy"="True"
"AppId"="{your_number_will_be_different}"
"Category"="More Programs"
"Title"="mControl"
"URL"="http://localhost:29990/Default.aspx"

"ImageUrl"="C:\\Program Files\\Embedded Automation\\mControl\\mHome_ThumbVista.png"
"ThumbnailUrl"="C:\\Program Files\\Embedded Automation\\mControl\\mHome_ThumbVista.png"

Make sure atleast that is in there.