Troubleshooting the Remote Control and the IR Sensor

Troubleshooting the Remote Control and the IR Sensor
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In this document:
Troubleshooting the remote control
Troubleshooting the IR receiver
Testing the remote control
Other related support information
This document pertains to HP Media Center computers with Windows XP, Media Center Edition.
Use this document when the remote control does not work correctly with the Media Center software.
Troubleshooting the remote control
Use the following items to troubleshoot when the remote control does not respond or when the remote control does not work properly. For example, when a key is pressed the selection moves all the way to the top or bottom of a list, or moves a selection many different places instead of the item you were trying to select.
Before attempting these steps, make sure that PC has been updated with all of the latest Windows updates. Many updates for Media Center, like Update Rollup 1 for eHome Infrared Receiver, can be downloaded easily through the Windows Update software Tool. For more information, refer to Updating Drivers and Software with Windows Update .

Make sure that the batteries for the remote control are installed correctly and charged.
Make sure that the front of the remote sensor is unobstructed, within a 45-degree range, and is less than 26 feet (8 meters) away. Disconnect all devices that use a USB connection except to the receiver, keyboard, and mouse. Restart the PC, and then try the remote again.
If a pressed button repeats itself (sticks), unplug the IR receiver from its USB connection, wait one minute, and plug in the IR receiver. If the pressed buttons continue to repeat, alter the lighting conditions in the room or move the location of the IR receiver. Other remotes and HP Media Center PCs within range can also cause this issue.
Try pressing the Enter key on the remote after changing a channel.
If the remote control works when using the media center software, but does not work when changing the television channels, re-configure the Media Center software settings for the cable set-top box or satellite receiver. For more information, refer to the HP support document Setting up the Media Center Computer Step-by-step (in English).
Point the remote control towards the IR receiver and press a button. A faint red light should appear on the IR receiver. If the light appears, then the problem is probably in the software that is using the remote control (most likely the configuration of the Media Center software). Close the software, restart the computer, and then re-open the software to solve this issue.

Troubleshooting the IR receiver
The IR receiver is the small device that receives the signals sent by the remote control. Use the following steps to test and reset the IR receiver.

Disconnect the IR receiver from its USB port on the computer, maximize the Media Center window if it is open, and then reconnect the IR receiver. Test again.
Point the remote control towards the IR receiver and press a button. A faint red light should appear on the IR receiver. If the light appears, then the problem is probably in the software that is using the IR receiver (most likely the Media Center software). Close the software, restart the computer, and then re-open the software to solve this issue.
Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then select Properties.
Click the Hardware tab and then click the Device Manager button.
Click the plus sign next to Universal Serial Bus Controllers.
If the eHome Infrared Receiver is listed under Universal Serial Bus controllers, Windows is properly detecting the IR receiver. If eHome Infrared Receiver is not in the list, or there is an exclamation mark or a question mark on the device, perform the following until eHome Infrared Receiver appears correct in Device manager:
Unplug the end of the USB cable on the IR receiver from the computer and plug it into the same USB port.
Plug the end of the USB cable on the IR receiver into the front USB port on the computer.
Disconnect all other USB devices, leave the IR receiver plugged in, and then restart the computer. Plug in other USB devices after the IR receiver shows up in device manager.

Figure 1: IR receiver listing in Device Manager

Testing the remote control
Use the following steps to check the responsiveness of the remote control:

Open the Media Center software by double-clicking the Media Center icon the desktop or by pressing the green Start button on the remote control.
Click Settings, and then click General.
Click Check Your Remote, and then click Next.
Press the numbers on your remote control. The corresponding numbers on the numbers on the screen should glow when each button is pressed. A faint red light should also glow inside the IR receiver each time a button on the remote pressed.
Click My control is working properly, and then click Next. Do not click I am having problems with my remote control as this will not do anything.
Click Finish after you are done.