Tip Tweaks and Tricks gathered for Vista MCE

[jollster101]

Originally Posted by juzdownunder

I can confirm that secpol.msc is available in my Vista Ultimate installation, but not on my HTPC because I set that up as a Home Premium installation. Curious. Will try the other method mentioned, thanks.

Woo hoo, I got thanked.

No probs Juzdownunder. I just went with the Ultimate install thanks to the wonders of MSDN (and a generous company I used to work for)

[freddyfinn]

Those of you on optus who are having trouble connecting read my post here:

Connected to my router but internet: Vista

[sdixon]

Originally Posted by juzdownunder

I can confirm that secpol.msc is available in my Vista Ultimate installation, but not on my HTPC because I set that up as a Home Premium installation. Curious. Will try the other method mentioned, thanks.

It is that sort of crippling sh*t that makes people like myself feel like an idiot for paying for Vista. It is no wonder that people take the other road to procure their software!!

[MagpieMDP]

Wow, what a clever comment!!

Why is it that people have a problem with additional functionality being made available in a higher-priced version than the lower one? Surely that's the whole point of having different flavours.

And if your last comment was suggesting it as any rationale for pirating software....nah, I'm speachless.

[test7875]

Ok guys and Gals

Lets keep this thread free from comments as requested please.

Post your Tip Tweaks and Tricks gathered for Vista MCE only ...


Im looking forward to seeing more ..


TEST!

[ontik]

Originally Posted by Brk_

Hi, do someone have a registry tip to view my music by folder instead of by artist/album/...

I second the above. I have bunch of somewhat obscure albums that Vista seems to struggle with when finding the details of the album. Especially compilations, I've got a bunch of singles attached to all these wierd albums that should be in the same album. (and they are in the same folder and named to the same convention).


ontiK.

[Circuit]

A couple of little tips I have picked up on the way.

Change the direction the arrow keys move through the mini-guide

Save this as a reg file or modify yourself, to go back to original just change it back to 0.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Media Center\Settings\VideoSettings]
"ChannelBrowserArrowUpMeansChannelUp"=dword:000000 01

I have had much better file copying success when I stopped "remote differential compression"
To stop it go to control panel/programs and features/turn features on or off and deselect "remotedifferentialcompression"

Circuit

[scotto74]

Originally Posted by test7875

Speed up vista

The default power option has a cpu limit of 50%. START->CONTROL PANEL->POWER OPTIONS

and change from balanced to high performance.

I'm not in front of my Vista machine, so I can't check....but doesn't the 50% CPU limit only apply when running on batteries? Or does the balance power scheme limit to 50% on mains power also?

[traumatyzd]

it is available regardless of battery or mains power

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by Circuit

I have had much better file copying success when I stopped "remote differential compression"

What sort of improvement are we talking about here? Can anyone else confirm this?

Are there any negatives to turning this service off?

[nigel984]

Thanks for the great tip RE: remote differential compression.

It is generally an accepted problem for many around with a quick google search. The problem especially is made worse when using wireless links.

Something interesting I noticed is that ALL the "optional windows programs" can be removed and VMC will work normally - and potentially much more efficiently.

Disabling Aero and ALL visual styles i.e. Windows Classic seems to have no effect on VMC. It appears VMC will run normally (look exactly the same) & smoother without the vista candy/bloat behind the scenes.

The only reason someone might leave vista candy enabled is if there was any acceleration benefits. Currently it looks like media center team really was working independently of Aero though.

[Circuit]

Originally Posted by Harlequin

What sort of improvement are we talking about here? Can anyone else confirm this?

Are there any negatives to turning this service off?

I tried this after attempts to copy files and large delays.
Straight away there was a major improvement evident.

I have not noticed any bad effects at all.

Give it a try if you don't get any benefit its easy to turn back on.

Circuit

[Harlequin]

Yeah, after i posted that message I turned it off and did some file transfers... sems to be about a 50% speed improvement in my case... I was amazed...

[sydunipete]

Makes deleting big files instant. Thanks.