Microsoft ending EPG for WMC in January
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The guide data suddenly restarting after a) Microsoft's ongoing nag notices to find an alternate provider and b) the guide data indeed stopping at the end of January is precisely the sort of annoying nonsense that makes so many people dislike MS and consider them a bunch of inept morons. Now there are people who proceeded with implementing an alternative guide after Jan. 31 without taking any measures to prevent duplicate data issues (under the fair assumption there would be no more from MS/Rovi) who now have this ridiculous unexpected situation to contend with. Does anyone know what entries would need to be placed in the hosts file to prevent WMC making any future connections to MS/Rovi in order to prevent duplicate guide data being imported? TIA
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Can't you just disable the Automatic Download options in WMC? (Settings --> General)Green Lantern wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:36 pm The guide data suddenly restarting after a) Microsoft's ongoing nag notices to find an alternate provider and b) the guide data indeed stopping at the end of January is precisely the sort of annoying nonsense that makes so many people dislike MS and consider them a bunch of inept morons. Now there are people who proceeded with implementing an alternative guide after Jan. 31 without taking any measures to prevent duplicate data issues (under the fair assumption there would be no more from MS/Rovi) who now have this ridiculous unexpected situation to contend with. Does anyone know what entries would need to be placed in the hosts file to prevent WMC making any future connections to MS/Rovi in order to prevent duplicate guide data being imported? TIA
I've done that before with the Rovi guide -- I just had to do manual updates or it would eventually run out.
Same for a fresh setup -- I disabled internet access before starting a fresh WMC setup, entered my normal zip code, and agreed to all of the terms. Then I disabled Automatic Download and reconnected internet, and the Rovi guide never downloaded for me.
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I didn't remember that setting even existed. And I wasn't even thinking about it since MS had given multiple indications that the guide data would definitely end in January. And not for the first time, I've discovered the hard way you can't necessarily rely on MS or their products to do what is expected of them. Therefore, I thought it would be prudent to go the extra mile to make double sure this is never a problem again in the future. After some searching, I found an old post on here which provides the host file entries to block guide updates:tonywagner wrote: ↑Fri Feb 07, 2020 4:49 pmCan't you just disable the Automatic Download options in WMC? (Settings --> General)Green Lantern wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:36 pm The guide data suddenly restarting after a) Microsoft's ongoing nag notices to find an alternate provider and b) the guide data indeed stopping at the end of January is precisely the sort of annoying nonsense that makes so many people dislike MS and consider them a bunch of inept morons. Now there are people who proceeded with implementing an alternative guide after Jan. 31 without taking any measures to prevent duplicate data issues (under the fair assumption there would be no more from MS/Rovi) who now have this ridiculous unexpected situation to contend with. Does anyone know what entries would need to be placed in the hosts file to prevent WMC making any future connections to MS/Rovi in order to prevent duplicate guide data being imported? TIA
I've done that before with the Rovi guide -- I just had to do manual updates or it would eventually run out.
Same for a fresh setup -- I disabled internet access before starting a fresh WMC setup, entered my normal zip code, and agreed to all of the terms. Then I disabled Automatic Download and reconnected internet, and the Rovi guide never downloaded for me.
viewtopic.php?f=96&t=10318&p=110546&hilit=hosts#p110546
I have added them to my hosts file; hopefully they are still accurate and will serve as more of a guarantee (than relying on a MS setting) that no further guide data can come in from MS and cause conflicts/problems.
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My listings stop at 7:00 PM EST on Wednesday February 19 2020. I think this is the end of the free MS guide.
Does anybody know if the "Windows 8.1 Pro Pack" being sold on eBay (currently $31) will work on activated Windows 8.1 Pro?
The box says "Move up from Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center" so I am unsure if you need to be on activated "vanilla/core/home" 8.1 to upgrade with the Pro Pack or it will take a Window 8.1 Pro system to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center.
Or alternatively would it work on unactivated 8.1 "core"?
Thanks in advance!
Does anybody know if the "Windows 8.1 Pro Pack" being sold on eBay (currently $31) will work on activated Windows 8.1 Pro?
The box says "Move up from Windows 8.1 to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center" so I am unsure if you need to be on activated "vanilla/core/home" 8.1 to upgrade with the Pro Pack or it will take a Window 8.1 Pro system to Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center.
Or alternatively would it work on unactivated 8.1 "core"?
Thanks in advance!
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- Vistaar
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I don't really know either, but I can offer a somewhat encouraging analogy. Back in July 2015, when Microsoft switched from Zap2it to Rovi, they also discontinued the legacy EPG service for XP MCE and most Vista systems. Some of us running Vista found that we could get the Rovi MXF data by installing TV Pack 2008 (see viewtopic.php?f=93&t=9031). I believe that Pro Pack and TV Pack 2008 are both examples of what Microsoft generally calls "feature packs," except that TV Pack was released via OEM only. Have you tried asking in the Windows 8 Media Center section?
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I do know the free update key to add Media Center was only valid for a few months so you need to be careful you are not being sold one of those!!! As it wont work.
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Today I noticed the EPG went out to 2-28-2020. However the dates and/or times are wrong for a lot of programs.
- plplplpl
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Yes, it's starting to act like HAL as Dave pulls the logic modules out one by one.
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Same here, guide data goes out to 2-28 but it is all messed up. Looks like it is for a different time zone or something.
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Interesting that it’s working for some.
My guide data completely ended on Thursday Jan 30 10:00 pm Mt and 5 hours prior to that most stations showed “No data available”.
I’m wondering if some people are downloading the data OTA instead of through Microsoft’s servers and if that’s what’s causing incorrect data as well as me not seeing anything as I have Cable with Comcast.
I’m already moved over to an alternative system to record TV so doesn’t bother me just thought I’d chime in to see what I saw.
Are people still on WMC using the native guide instead of using EPG123?
My guide data completely ended on Thursday Jan 30 10:00 pm Mt and 5 hours prior to that most stations showed “No data available”.
I’m wondering if some people are downloading the data OTA instead of through Microsoft’s servers and if that’s what’s causing incorrect data as well as me not seeing anything as I have Cable with Comcast.
I’m already moved over to an alternative system to record TV so doesn’t bother me just thought I’d chime in to see what I saw.
Are people still on WMC using the native guide instead of using EPG123?
- plplplpl
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I did a manual update via Tasks, Settings, TV , Guide...
...still all out of whack.
...still all out of whack.
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I tried to do that but got the usual Microsoft message in the lower right of the screen saying the guide has ended & has the selection for more information. IOW no option to update.
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- plplplpl
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It's now like a fish at the bottom of your rowboat, in the final throes of thrashing about, its gills gasping desperately for life that is about to end.
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NOTHING is a "fair assumption".Green Lantern wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2020 8:36 pm Now there are people who proceeded with implementing an alternative guide after Jan. 31 without taking any measures to prevent duplicate data issues (under the fair assumption there would be no more from MS/Rovi)
If people installed EPG123 in a manner different than directed by the instructions, then all bets are off and they own their situations they find themselves in.
My question is, why did they not follow the instructions? It cost exactly ZERO to follow the instructions and force the "no more Rovi data" situation. What did they save by ASSUMING the Rovi data were gone and therefore "oh, I'll be OK, there won't be any duplicate data"?
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Rage! Rage against the dying of the light!