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Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:02 am
by Bunk_Tuppins
My guide data ends June 26th here in Medford OR. Hope they get it fixed. They always have before.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 1:34 pm
by JohnW248
The DNS issue/fix was the cause of a similar problem a few years ago. Back then the clients couldn't connect to the server at all. Now they do connect to the server and get the rest of the updates BUT cannot connect to the remote server to get the EPGL files so it's a bit of different problem.

Wildly speculating here, but perhaps due to the corruption in the guide listings MSFT has purposely shut down the connection until the EPGL is cleaned up. I just don't know how big a problem this is because of the hundreds of variations of listings for the various regions, services and cable companies. The messages in the Task Viewer remain the same, the update takes place but gets to the retrieve EPGL and fails to connect to remote server and it tries twice to do that and then fails. My systems check twice a day at 12 hour intervals and I have both Win 7 and Win 8.1 versions and the Win 8.1 (which was a separate purchase) does not expire in Jan of 2020.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 2:00 pm
by jachin99
Maybe MS is migrating to a new domain name. This is from a user on MDL

Just did an nslookup of mediacenter.microsoft.com and it said it was unknown but then I watched WMC updating the EPG and mcupdate was using 65.55.186.113 which come up as
Data.tvdownload.microsoft.com

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 3:00 pm
by rogoued
I am having the same issue with error connecting to the server and I have nothing in my hosts file. This is still a mess. Remember, we lose Windows 7 support on January 14, 2020. Maybe we should all look elsewhere. I am starting to look into Plex

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 3:51 pm
by bencjedi
rogoued wrote: Tue Jun 25, 2019 3:00 pm I am having the same issue with error connecting to the server and I have nothing in my hosts file. This is still a mess. Remember, we lose Windows 7 support on January 14, 2020. Maybe we should all look elsewhere. I am starting to look into Plex
Plex cannot do CableCard with CopyOnce flagged channels can it? Spectrum has that flag set on everything except local channels for my service area.

I too run out of guide data on WMC7 late Saturday\Sunday morning

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 4:21 pm
by DFox
I'm not panicking just yet and also don't mean to conjure a guide debate, but I just wanted to have some info in hand if we get closer to the weekend without a resolution:
Based on that the nature of this outage is significantly different from typical, and Rainey's experience of not being able to get through a more fundamental portion of the Media Center setup, I was wondering if someone with EPG123 experience could comment on whether the EPG123 install/setup could still be completed if we are left in this state indefinitely? And whether it could be setup for new Media Center installs as Rainey had mentioned?

Although for new installs, assuming the state remains as is, it sounds like based on Rainey's experience we might not be able to get to the CableCARD activation.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 5:46 pm
by Off Digital Cliff
How to Complete Setup if Guide is Still Out

If you panic (as I did) when you first encountered the guide failure and get stranded in the incomplete setup, just start over. When you get to the guide's license page, decline the terms of service. You'll get a harsh MS warning that says you won't be able to use the guide, but you will be able to install it later. Once you've declined the guide's agreement, you'll be able to complete setup.

From there, you won't be returned to the Stone Age, but you will go back to the days of manual recording. If you know your program will air on PBS on Wednesday from 9:00-10:00pm, you can manually program WMC to record it for you. It's not as convenient, and you won't have the program information or title included, but you won't have to jump off the nearest bridge to end the life Microsoft's servers have shattered for you.

Hope this helps a few of you.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 5:57 pm
by benhase
JohnW248 wrote: Tue Jun 25, 2019 1:34 pm Wildly speculating here, but perhaps due to the corruption in the guide listings MSFT has purposely shut down the connection until the EPGL is cleaned up. The messages in the Task Viewer remain the same, the update takes place but gets to the retrieve EPGL and fails to connect to remote server and it tries twice to do that and then fails. My systems check twice a day at 12 hour intervals and I have both Win 7 and Win 8.1 versions and the Win 8.1 (which was a separate purchase) does not expire in Jan of 2020.
I have WMC on five PCs, all are Windows 8.1 Pro. All fail to update the guide (see the event trace entries below). Note I usually get two sets of guide data (one for cable, one for OTA).

I like JohnW248's theory, here is why: Three of the PCs are in Sleep mode (and wake up daily twice daily to attempt to download the guide). The other two are Shut Down. When I open the guide on the two Shut Down PCs, every entry is "No data available." When I open the guide on two of the three PCs in Sleep mode I have guide data which ends on June 30, 2019. On the third PC in Sleep mode I was actively viewing TV when an error message popped up indicating my guide data was corrupt and would be reloaded. It later failed the update (like I later noticed on the other four) and the result was "No data available." (like the two Shut Down PCs).

Here are the even trace entries:
9:52:40 AM - Testing internet connection.
9:52:41 AM - Connection established.
9:52:42 AM - Retrieving Directory.
9:52:42 AM - Processing Directory.
9:52:42 AM - Processing of Directory is complete.
9:52:42 AM - The NetworkMetadata package is not available.
9:52:42 AM - Testing internet connection.
9:52:42 AM - Connection established.
9:52:43 AM - Retrieving ClientUpdate.
9:52:43 AM - Processing of ClientUpdate is complete.
9:52:43 AM - The ClientUpdate package is already up to date.
9:52:43 AM - Retrieving SportsSchedule.
9:52:43 AM - Processing of SportsSchedule is complete.
9:52:43 AM - The SportsSchedule package is already up to date.
9:52:43 AM - Retrieving SportsV2.
9:52:44 AM - Processing of SportsV2 is complete.
9:52:44 AM - The SportsV2 package is already up to date.
9:52:44 AM - Retrieving MCEClientUX.
9:52:44 AM - Processing of MCEClientUX is complete.
9:52:44 AM - The MCEClientUX package is already up to date.
9:52:44 AM - Retrieving Broadband.
9:52:44 AM - Processing of Broadband is complete.
9:52:44 AM - The Broadband package is already up to date.
9:54:09 AM - Retrieving EpgListings.

9:55:33 AM - Failed to retrieve EpgListings (Error: Unable to connect to the remote server)

9:56:57 AM - Retrieving EpgListings.

9:58:21 AM - Failed to retrieve EpgListings (Error: Unable to connect to the remote server)

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:12 pm
by KarterJK
If I am not mistaken Microsoft announced discontinuing using Rovi service and was to end at the end of May 2019.

If you have guide issues, Microsoft nor Rovi will address it, because the relationship has ended. At least this is my understanding.

So those who are angry, I understand. But EPG123 is a great alternative. The basic install is not to terribly difficult (if I can do it anyone should be able to). Since I usually don't record anything, I didn't need to migrate any information. At least those who do record have an alternative and a community to support and assist them.

Change is frustrating but if you are angry toward EPG123, I think who you may really be angry with is Microsoft.

The days of WMC and Rovi are gone.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:21 pm
by mwpeterson
KarterJK wrote: Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:12 pm If I am not mistaken Microsoft announced discontinuing using Rovi service and was to end at the end of May 2019.

If you have guide issues, Microsoft nor Rovi will address it, because the relationship has ended. At least this is my understanding.

So those who are angry, I understand. But EPG123 is a great alternative. The basic install is not to terribly difficult (if I can do it anyone should be able to). Since I usually don't record anything, I didn't need to migrate any information. At least those who do record have an alternative and a community to support and assist them.

Change is frustrating but if you are angry toward EPG123, I think who you may really be angry with is Microsoft.

The days of WMC and Rovi are gone.
Where did you see this? Because I have not seen or heard anything about any announcement anywhere else. A google search shows nothing of this sort.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 6:28 pm
by DFox
There was this announcement, but I don't know if it is relevant:
Changes in metadata service affecting Windows Media Center and Windows Media Player

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:22 pm
by mwpeterson
Yes, that is probably what they are referencing, however that makes no mention of tv listings. In addition every time anyone contacted Rovi they would have been told that was the issue.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 7:43 pm
by DFox
(Sorry if this has been mentioned elsewhere here)
Interestingly some of the articles that reference the announcement included TV Guide, but the current documentation of the Microsoft announcement no longer mentions it. So it seems that Microsoft retracted that part of the impact.

Microsoft last updated their article 1/31/2019, and for example these were published before then:
https://www.onmsft.com/news/windows-med ... -windows-7
https://www.sevenforums.com/news/418199 ... layer.html
https://thedigitallifestyle.com/w/index ... a-support/

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 8:25 pm
by tired_runner
DFox wrote: Tue Jun 25, 2019 4:21 pm I was wondering if someone with EPG123 experience could comment on whether the EPG123 install/setup could still be completed if we are left in this state indefinitely? And whether it could be setup for new Media Center installs as Rainey had mentioned?

Although for new installs, assuming the state remains as is, it sounds like based on Rainey's experience we might not be able to get to the CableCARD activation.
Yes, and yes.

Just did it to my Dell PC running Windows 7 64-bit Ultimate and Windows Media Center.

EPG123 has a video on setting it up. Very easy.

Granted, I didn't install EPG123 on my Dell until after reloading Windows 7 from scratch. Those of you who have copy-once protected content might lose it, as it rebuilds WMC database from scratch.

But if you are ready to take plunge and spend your $25 per year for TV guide, EPG123 is the way to go. It's working fine for me.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 9:25 pm
by garyan2
Clarify/Correct some information about EPG123 setup in this thread.

DRM recordings will still be playable... deleting your WMC database doesn't change your unique ID to access those recordings.
CableCARD activations will still be valid... no need to reactivate.
Recording requests, for the most part, are transferable between your old Rovi configuration to the new EPG123 configuration. This is especially true for US users. For users outside the US you will probably only be able to transfer your generic/wish list requests (movie title, actor name, director name, keyword...).
EPG123 makes a backup of you WMC configuration making it possibly to completely revert back to Rovi if you desire.

Note on that Microsoft announcement early this year. The initial announcement was not clear and appeared to have included guide listings but they revised their announcement to clarify the impact is only to the metadata for music and movies. For the guide it means that movies may no longer contain the extended data (full synopsis, review, similar movies, and character names).

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:55 pm
by dahef
DSperber wrote: Mon Jun 24, 2019 4:50 pm
dahef wrote: Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:47 am There is another explanation. For me it is 2 things. It is not the money.
1 - I would lose all the movies I have flagged for future recording when they become available.(thousands)
2 - I have read the 123 install guide and many of the 123 problem threads and most of the procedures is beyond my knowledge. Thus 123 is an option but only a last option if guide data runs out.



But I understand if you've got lots of existing future recordings set that this really does seem like a deal-breaker.
Feel free to ignore the above. No need to respond if you don't want to.
Thanks for the info, actually I've been informed there is a Transfer Tool now in the install software so I can retain my extensive Wish List. I'm just about out of deal breakers. (and guide data) I'll be plunging face first into the promised land soon.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 4:48 am
by wifiwanderer
Dang! I'm down to 30 June 2019. Hope it gets fixed before then.

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 12:30 pm
by SugarFree
DSperber wrote: I personally offer to be of any assistance you might ask for in getting you there, if you'd like to avail yourself.
I want to offer a shout out and thanks! You generously gave me a lot of your time explaining exactly what EPG is (and isn't) and how to use it. Thank you.

SugarFree / Lisa

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 12:31 pm
by jimij1000
davidhp wrote: Sat Jun 22, 2019 3:36 am Chalres, the email link to Rovi in on page 10 of the thread below this one (Spring 2018 edition of EPG outage), I don't disagree that Microsoft should watch WMC more closely, but they made the corporate decision not to since they no longer provide WMC with Windows 10.
Davidhp: I also emailed Rovi with this:

The EPG has not downloaded for a week plus and listings run out on June 30th. Please work with Microsoft to resolve the issue as all Windows MCE users will not have any guide data. This should be escalated to a sev1 outage.


Kind Regards,

Re: Guide Data Outage - 2019 Summer Edition

Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2019 12:35 pm
by jimij1000
As I recall there is usually 4 outages per year with regularity. Daylight saving time spring and fall and the summer and winter solstice.