Guide Data Outage - Spring/Summer 2016 Edition

Global guide related discussion. All Windows versions.
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prje

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#61

Post by prje » Tue Jun 14, 2016 10:10 pm

SugarFree wrote:Down to 9 days.
same here
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mafaldatv

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#62

Post by mafaldatv » Tue Jun 14, 2016 11:54 pm

New to forum, been watching it for 6 months. Appreciate all the tips and support!

Down to 9 days. Charter Cable Southern CA.

Several weeks ago it wasn't updating as mentioned earlier in this thread. I was trying everything but don't think it was at this end. Then, of course, Microsoft got something going and it was back. For several days it stayed at 13 days of listings. But then it stopped updating around Friday, I guess when the others started seeing the same. I watch the event logs and the most recent from an hour ago on is shown below. It ACTS like everything is ok, just that maybe there isn't anything at the other end to download (????)

OR am I misreading this and should do something?

thx

3:37:14 PM - The Directory package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - The ClientUpdate package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - The MCESpotlight package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - The MCEClientUX package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - The SportsSchedule package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - The SportsV2 package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - The Broadband package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - The MCEClientMaintenance package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - The NetworkMetadata package is not available.
3:37:14 PM - The EpgListings package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - The EpgListings package is already up to date.
3:37:14 PM - Testing internet connection.
3:37:14 PM - Connection established.
3:37:15 PM - Retrieving nettv.
3:37:16 PM - Retrieving nettv.

webminster

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#63

Post by webminster » Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:00 am

mafaldatv wrote:I watch the event logs and the most recent from an hour ago on is shown below. It ACTS like everything is ok, just that maybe there isn't anything at the other end to download (????)

OR am I misreading this and should do something?
No, you're reading it right. Its not your fault, your machine is hitting Microsoft's API and looking for an updated epglistings data file. They're just not creating any new data. This is the situation we've been encountering, several times this year already. Unless MS fixes it there's little you can do to make it happen. Except replace the guide source. Usually someone realizes right before doomsday somethings broken...
-Alan

mafaldatv

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#64

Post by mafaldatv » Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:05 am

Thanks for the fast response. I'll keep holding my breath. When it works, it works great so there is that inertia about messing with anything....

webminster

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#65

Post by webminster » Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:08 am

Rumor on MS Answers is someone just got Guide data, through 6/14. maybe it's fixed.
-Alan

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#66

Post by SugarFree » Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:11 am

webminster wrote:Rumor on MS Answers is someone just got Guide data, through 6/14. maybe it's fixed.
Through 6/14? LOL - that's today.

kleestark

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#67

Post by kleestark » Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:28 am

Just now (~00:25 UTC, 6/15) got updated listings.
Comcast, 87111
End Date: 6/28/2016 7:00:00 AM

webminster

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#68

Post by webminster » Wed Jun 15, 2016 1:43 am

SugarFree wrote:
webminster wrote:Rumor on MS Answers is someone just got Guide data, through 6/14. maybe it's fixed.
Through 6/14? LOL - that's today.
Sorry. Typo, obviously. 24th.
-Alan

SugarFree

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#69

Post by SugarFree » Wed Jun 15, 2016 2:49 am

Guide just updated through 6/26. Guess we should be good to July 4th weekend. =sigh=

Space

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#70

Post by Space » Wed Jun 15, 2016 5:03 am

At least they seem to be proactively fixing the issue (at least during weekdays).

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STC

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#71

Post by STC » Wed Jun 15, 2016 5:51 am

Is this really a human intervention fix on MSs side each time a problem is reported? The cascade of guide info takes a period of days to get from source through Microsoft to your HTPC. Each issue can cause a ripple effect delay. The fix may not necessarily involve a human but perhaps it's fixed by a resolve in data consistency which allows the processes that deliver the data to rebuild.
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Space

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#72

Post by Space » Wed Jun 15, 2016 7:06 am

I don't know. It is just speculation, but since it appears to be fixed on Monday/Tuesday when the problem first occurs on Friday (and is not fixed on the weekend), I assume it is manual intervention of some sort.

I also assume the problem is now being detected by some sort of automated process and no longer relies on end user reports since it is getting fixed much more quickly then it used to be. The automated process just notifies someone (email?) and when that person gets to work he/she fixes it.

Again, this is just total speculation based on the limited facts.

bob_p

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#73

Post by bob_p » Wed Jun 15, 2016 12:41 pm

It would be extremely helpful if Microsoft could confirm how much longer they plan to support the program guide data.

Microsoft has published dates for the end of mainstream (consumer) and extended (business) support for each version of Windows.

Since WMC was part of Windows 7, support of the program guide data could be considered part of their normal support for Windows. But because WMC is considered as a consumer product, and would be part of "mainstream support" - that support officially ended in January 2015.

Since WMC was not really part of Windows 8, it's not clear Microsoft considers it as part of "mainstream support". But if they do, then that could ensure we'd have program guide data until January 2018.

And, if Microsoft considers the program guide data to be part of their "extended support", that could extend the program guide data service to January 2020 (for Windows 7) and possibly to January 2023 (for Windows 8).

Or, if they don't consider the program guide data to be part of their Windows support commitment, then they could discontinue the service at any time. Which is why I'm anticipating that one of these times, the program guide data won't get restored - and resolved to quickly making the switch over to EPG123 within a few days of running out of guide data.

Can anyone get Microsoft to confirm their policy for WMC guide data support???

webminster

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#74

Post by webminster » Wed Jun 15, 2016 1:54 pm

Can't speak for MS of course... since the Guide data is covered by a separate EULA, it could be considered a distinct item from WMC (or Windows proper). The MS EPG data terms of service, like so many shrink-wrap licenses anymore, contains the "Microsoft may discontinue providing the EPG at any time." No requirement for pre-notification - they might quietly announce the intent on a KB article, like they did for the Rovi switchover...
-Alan

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STC

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#75

Post by STC » Wed Jun 15, 2016 2:14 pm

This is assuming they have the smallest inkling of what the plan is moving forwards. Which they don't.
Letting things die a slow death without communication seems to be the norm.
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Mike_TV

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#76

Post by Mike_TV » Wed Jun 15, 2016 9:48 pm

Guide data was updated this afternoon. Had only 7 days left this morning and now I have 12 days of guide data left.

adam1991

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#77

Post by adam1991 » Wed Jun 15, 2016 11:30 pm

STC wrote:This is assuming they have the smallest inkling of what the plan is moving forwards. Which they don't.
Letting things die a slow death without communication seems to be the norm.
My guess is, this observed behavior is intentional.

"Let's just let the guide data slowly go away, like putting a frog into cold water and turning up the heat. When people complain, we'll fix it--but eventually no one will complain, and then we'll know to just shut it off."

lily1029

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#78

Post by lily1029 » Fri Jun 17, 2016 11:51 pm

Still no new guide data for me. Set to run out in 5 days. Time Warner 45377 Anyone else still running out soon? Those that received new info, did you do anything different to get it to go through? Mine is set to check every evening automatically and I've tried retrieving it through tasks manually and no go for me.

Not sure I have the technical skills necessary to switch to the new EPG123 I'm reading about on here so I'm hoping this will fix itself like it always has in the past!

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davidhp

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#79

Post by davidhp » Sun Jun 19, 2016 5:03 am

My EPG was updating again through Thursday night (June 16), now it has not updated with new data on either Friday the 17th or Saturday the 18th. The same things happens when a manual update is attempted - the message appears within a few seconds that the guide has updated, but no new data. This appears to be happening every weekend now.

Space

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#80

Post by Space » Sun Jun 19, 2016 3:30 pm

My last update was 6/17 at ~9pm ET, but no update last night. I did nothing special to get it to update before then.

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