Set the Windows Update Server Location

I have a machine that I use as a Media Center but in order to use an XBox as an extender I have found I have to keep it off the domain: it just won't connect, so to manage it's updates I have changed the WSUS server location:

1. Run “gpedit.msc” 
2. Go to Computer Configuration; Administrative Templates; Windows Components; Windows Update.
3. Change the setting for “Specify intranet Microsoft update service location“ to your WSUS server.
4. Restart

You should check the Updates are set to install automatically and "Give me recommended updates the same way" to ensure the updates are installed.

XBox Keeps Loosing Connection To Media Center

I recently found that my XBox wasn't connecting to my media center pc. I'd have to log in and remove it then re-add it from one day to the next. Really annoying.
I then found form the event log that :Media Center Extender service" failed to start as it relied on a service called SSDP and the latter had failed to start in time so I set the Media Center service to "Automatic, delayed" start and then it worked. How rubbish!

In Event Viewer; Windows Logs; System, near the time of the system start up I saw:
"The SSDP Discovery service hung on starting."
followed by

"The Media Center Extender Service service depends on the SSDP Discovery service which failed to start because of the following error:
After starting, the service hung in a start-pending state."

IIS Application Pool not available in IIS6

In IIS 6 I noticed the App Pool option was not available. The problem was that IIS was running under IIS 5.0 Isolation mode. To resolve the issue:

• Right click on Websites and select Properties; Service tab
• Uncheck the isolation mode check box.
• When asked if you want to restart, click yes. 
• Application Pools should now be listed and available.

Sync Android Device to iTunes

I love my Android devices but until recently I was using the dreadful Samsung Kies to sync music to them. No longer! Now I use iSyncr (as featured on MMC Click program) available on Google Play for Mac and PC you also need the companion software on your host computer.

Once installed it puts an icon on the system bar in Mac or system tray in Windows, from where you can access the programs options and choose which device to manage, playlists to sync etc.

NB: Like me you may have to remove Kies in order for it to work on a Mac.

So now you can put your ipod on ebay... without all it's music of course.