Sunday, April 27, 2008

Using WebGuide, when choosing to 'Play Album' only the first song plays

*Update* 8/13/08 - The Microsoft updates released August 12th 2008 contain a fix for this problem. I don't know which updates fixes it, but if you install all critical updates and reboot, this should be fixed for you.

I don't know the solution to this problem. I do have a workaround though. I have asked for help on the WebGuide forum but Doug Berret doesn't seem to check the forum anymore so I doubt I will get an answer.

Also, to note, until recently this was not a problem for me. I had to rebuild my Vista MCE machine and reinstalled WebGuide. Since then, I cannot 'play album'. When I do, only the first song plays. When I go to play another song Media Player just hangs on 'changing media'.

Here's the workaround fix.
  1. Download and install another player that handles .m3u. In my case I chose VLC because it is free, and I am familiar with it. http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html
  2. Run the setup for VNC. During the install, the third screen that prompts you for info should be 'Choose Components'. I don't want VNC taking over other file types that you did not anticipate so do this - there is a pull down box at the top of the components list. Pull it down and select 'Minimum'. Click Next button, then click the Install button. When the install completes you can uncheck the check box for 'Run VideoLan...'. Click Finish.
  3. Go to your webguide online, and choose to 'play album'. When prompted 'do you want to open or save this file' choose Save. Save the file somewhere convenient for you, we will be browsing to the file in a minute.
  4. Now Browse to the file (WebGuide4_Playlist) where you saved it. Right click on the file and go to 'Open With' and then choose the last option 'Choose default program'. VLC player may not be in the list of recommended players so you may need to click the Browse button. The default install path for VLC is C:\Program Files\VideoLAN\VLC. Browse to that path (or where ever you installed it) and choose vlc.
  5. Now we are back on the Open With dialog. VLC should be listed and highlighted. On the bottom of the list is a checkbox 'Always use the selected program to open this kind of file'. Check that box. Click Ok.
  6. Now go back to your webguide and choose 'Play Album'. On the prompt do you want to open or save, choose open.
  7. VLC Player should open and start playing your music. You can now change songs with >> and <<>

Although I have not tried it, you should be able to do the above procedure with the music player of your choice provided it can play .m3u file types. I think the problem is a Media Player problem.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Turning of the UAC in Vista

User Account Control can cause problems in some circumstances. In my case, I don't want it running on my Vista Media Center. Here is how to turn it off:
  1. Go to Start>Control Panel
  2. If you are using the default control panel view, click User Accounts>User Accounts
  3. If you are using the Classic view click User Accounts
  4. Uncheck the box next to Use User Acccount Control (UAC)...
  5. Click Ok
  6. Reboot.

Maybe you don't want to disable this if you surf the web and download a lot of programs. Knowing what is attempting to install could be a good thing. But on a specific purpose computer like a Media Center, the UAC can cause more problems then it is worth.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Fixing my ice maker in Kitchen-Aid ksrs25cnbl00

This is not computer related but I wanted to document it anyway.

I purchased the replacement part from http://www.repairclinic.com/

Item#: 1373103 - Description: Icemaker control module and motor assembly
Price: $73.35

For Kitchen-Aid model ksrs25cnbl00. How did I know what to replace? It broke before and I had a repairman come out and I recalled him saying something about a cheap gear and motor breaking. He said the part he was putting in was of better quality. It lasted about two years.

1)Slide the ice-maker switch to the off position.
2)Remove the screw underneath the icemaker in the back right.
3)Remove the two screws holding the front flap - remove the front flap
4)Remove the plastic wire cover piece in the rear right corner - it just pops off.
5)Press the tab on the bottom part of the left rail in. Slide the whole unit out.
6)Disconnect the power connector.
7)Pop off the plastic motor module cover.
8)With the ice-maker out remove the three screws holding in the motor module.
9)Remove the motor module.
10)Align the while plastic shaft notch with that of the motor module. Do not turn the motor module, turn the shaft to achieve alignment. Inset the new motor module.
11)Screw in the three motor module screws.
12)Connect the power coupler.
13)Slide the unit back into place.
14)Screw in the right rear screw. Reattach the flap with the two screws.
15)Turn on the ice-maker.

Within 30 minutes you should hear the water filling the tray.

Within a couple hours ice should start to accumulate.

New beginner's guide to PowerShell on my GitHub page

 I created a beginner's guide to PowerShell here: https://github.com/aamjohns/Powershell_Guide/blob/main/README.md I hope it helps someo...