Software Tips
Here are some tips and tricks that I have discovered from the programs I use for the HTPC. This page is mainly a reminder for myself, but others may find it useful.

ASUS Motherboards - Restart on Power Loss
To make the computer restart if there is a loss of power go to the BIOS/Power/AC Power Loss Restart/Enable.

Internet Radio
Since I am unable to use TotalRecorder (see below) to record internet broadcasts, I have figured out a way of recording with Showshifter. My computer is setup so it can send and recieve sound from my stereo amplifier (see the Hardware section for a description). By looping the internet sound through my amplifier I can schedule Showshifter to record from the Composite "channel".
To schedule Internet Explorer at the appropriate time use the following method:
1) Use the built-in Windows Scheduler and when it asks you for the program to start, Browse and navigate to Internet Explorer (C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplorer.exe).
2)After you have setup up the schedule, right click on the Scheduled item and go to Properties. In Task, Run should look like:

"C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe" http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/bbc7.shtml

to get BBC7, for instance.
3)To schedule the stop time of IE go to Settings/Scheduled Task Completed and filling in "Stop the task..." section.

Microsoft Internet Explorer
IE sometimes defaults to a small size. To force it to open maximized, open IE in its current window size and drag the borders to the desired maximized size. Hold Control key (or Shift if Ctrl doesn't work) and then File/Exit.

NISTime
If you have a firewall, you must allow NISTime to access port 123 or have an Inbound Network Time Protocal. I copied a shortcut of NISTime to my startup folder and made it run in the background by:
1. File/Select Server.
2. Query Server/Periodically. Select period. Select background mode.
3. File/Save Config

Showshifter
If you delete a Recordings folder and do not reconfigure Showshifter's Recording Folder setting, all recordings will be saved by default into the Showshifter program folder.

Showshifter seems to freeze up occassionally (especially in the DVD module). Since the TaskBar is unavailable (and hence Task Manager) in Showshifter, it means one has to go to the computer to close down Showshifter. As long as the ATI Remote software hasn't frozen, it is possible to press the Web button which will bring up the default web-browser. Showshifter is minimized when this happens and the Taskbar become available.

If you want to Start Showshifter without the Codec Window appearing at startup see this file.

To make Showshifter go directly to the Video file moduke on startup, change the Target in the Showshifter shortcut icon to
"c:\showshifter\showshifter.exe" /video
if showshifter in located in the c:\showshifter directory. Make sure there is a space between the last quote and the /.

Registry Entry for (S)VCDs: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Home Media Networks\ShowShifter\Configuration\VideoModule] "Extensions"=";mpg;mpeg;avi;mp2;asf;wmv;ssf;avseq00.dat;avseq01.dat;avseq02.dat"

Total Recorder
Total Recorder has some conflicts with video sound because it takes over the sound subsystem.

Ulead Video Studio 6
By default, VS6 recompresses using a lower quality setting to speed up compression. Go to the Configuration panel to change it to "Best"

Windows - Desktop Icon Clean-up Wizard
To stop the Desktop Icon Clean-up Wizard, right click desktop/Properties/Desktop/Customize Desktop/Desktop Items/Desktop Cleanup/Untick Run Desktop Cleanup Wizard...

Windows - Font Sizes
To see text properly on a TV screen, change the font size on your desktop (right click on desktop/Display Properties/Appearance/Font Size/Extra Large). In your web browser to Large or Largest (in IE View/Text Size/Largest).

Windows - removing codecs
This method has worked for me, but there are no guarrantees.
1. Use the codec's uninstall utility or the Add/Remove Programs option in Control Panel.
2. Check that it has been removed by:
a. Go to Device Manager (Start/right-click My Computer/Properties/Hardware/Device Manager)
b. Click the plus sign on Sound, video...
c. Right-click on codec/Properties.
d. On the Properties tab, look for the video codec by highlighting it then Properties/Settings.
e. Restart the computer and check by doing step 2 again
3.If the video codec has not been removed, reinstall it and do the above steps again.
If it is a Windows installed codec that is acting up then to remove it do Step 2 except in 2d. highlight the codec you want removed and click Remove. Remove all traces of the codec in the Registry. Restart the computer to allow Windows to install a new copy.

Windows - Stop All OS Sounds
In Control Panel, go to Sound Schemes. Select None and Save if necessary.
In Regedit, go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER/Control Panel/Sound and Modify the Beep Key to No.

Windows XP - Time Synchronization
To change the amount of time in seconds between synchronizations use the following Windows XP registry hack:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\NtpClient\SpecialPollInterval
Value: Time in seconds. See also the Knowledge Base article Q223184 on the Microsoft site.

WinDVD
The eject button in WinDVD will open and close the DVD drive. Very useful if you occassionally hit the eject button in Showshifter.

XLMTV
XLMTV seems to be a DOS based program. To configure it you have to use the Command Prompt. For those who need a quick reminder of the DOS procedure:
To configure XMLTV for your area:
Start/Accessories/Command Prompt
Change to the drive where XMLTV is located
Use the "CD\" command to move to the xmltv directory
Type "xmltv tv_grab_na" --configure"
follow the onscreen instructions
If you are unfamiliar with DOS email me and I can give you more detailed instructions.

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