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The easy way to Windows Media Connect & Xbox 360 Using 3rd Party Firewalls … Ok well there seems to be a lot of people struggling with this setup from what I can see in the many forums I have looked at, there is also confusion over wither 3rd party Firewalls from the likes of Zone Alarm, Symantec Norton and McAfee will work or not? As many believe that only the Windows Firewall built into Windows XP will work with Windows Media Connect and the Xbox 360…

Well I’m glad to say to the masses that this is not the case the fact is it will work with most 3rd party Firewall’s available. The root of peoples problems are down to a bit of configuration that is not common is most cases of normal use, but is critically important when using Windows Media Connect and it may have been overlooked! So here is a basic guide to help you through the setup and installation so you have full functionality of streaming media to your Windows XP PC.

Ok first things first Make sure you have Windows XP with SP2 this is vital and without it you can go not continue, next make sure your Xbox 360 is switched on and connected to your Network by means of either direct connection to your Router, or to your Router using a Wireless Adapter, next go into the System Blade on your 360 and select Network Settings and look at where is says IP address, you will need to take note of what IP address it is using i.e.: 192.168.0.4 or something similar will be listed on the Network Settings screen so Write it down.
Now the bit you may have missed Firewall Settings! Go into your firewall program, for Zone Alarm users just open the program control panel and click the Firewall Tab at the left side, here is where you add Computers and devices to your network! From the 3 active buttons at the bottom right of the window select Add and then from the 4 options either IP Address or IP Range depending on setup, you should get another small window appear with three boxes in Zone select Trusted, for IP Address enter the Address you made note of when in Network Settings, then give a decryption of what you are listing i.e.: Xbox 360 then click ok and the window will disappear, in the remaining Zone Alarm Window click apply.
For Norton Internet Security users select Personal Firewall then click Configure and select the Networking Tab, from here the settings will be similar to Zone Alarm continue as required.
Now you are ready to download Windows Media Connect from www.xbox.xom and run the install process, you may get some Firewall pop up’s referring to Windows Media Connect during the installation! If you do, choose the setting to always allow and let the install complete. If successful you should now be able to go into the Media Blade on your Xbox 360 and select either Music or Pictures and then Computer, it should display your Computers name or decryption and allow you to select from the Media you have stored on it.

I you had an Error message at the end of the installation go into the Program Control Section of your Firewall and locate Windows Media Connect from the list, make sure you give it full access rights or select allow all! I would also advise that you quickly check you have entered the IP Address settings into the firewall correctly.

Once checked just reboot your Computer (do not turn off your Xbox 360) after rebooting Open Windows Media Connect on your PC, select Devices and you should see your 360 Console listed and allowed. Now you should be able to use it.

Well I hope this is of help… feedback welcome @ [email protected]