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[tzr916]

Every couple of years mc2xml seems to "expire". Today I noticed that my Server guide data was only going out 7 days, so I tested mc2xml.exe on my laptop and it was not working. It would just flash open, then immediately close without doing anything (even after deleting the .dat and .xml files). Went to the Server and same behavior.

Some mediaportal users were also reporting the issue, and a link was posted to re-download the program. Seems to be an updated version (dated Sept 11 2022), that has the same file size but is indeed working:

https://web.archive.org/web/20220911111833/https://web.archive.org/web/20200426003902/http://mc2xml.awardspace.info/

[JimH]

We're seeing some weird stuff the last couple of weeks.  It could be Windows related.  Installations fail.  One yesterday was related to ccleaner but I think it might be Microsoft.

[tzr916]

Ya, this is a known thing with mc2xml, happens every few years -

https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/threads/anyone-else-having-issues-with-mc2xml-not-a-mediaportal-issue.140138/page-2#post-1290549

https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=128420.0

[1maynard]

So what can we do to get the guide working again. I have spent most all of today trying to get my guide information back using schedules direct. Until a few days ago I had no issues getting it to load. I downloaded the latest mc2xml.exe and set it up but I cannot get any guide information. What can we do. I rely on MC as my OTA DVR to record shows for later viewing and my wife is pissed. I really do not want to go back to cable but if this issue is not resolved I might have to.   
Any of the experts on here got a clue?

[tzr916]

...I downloaded the latest mc2xml.exe and set it up but I cannot get any guide information...

Delete the xml and dat files in the folder where mc2xml.exe resides.
Double-click mc2xml.exe
It should open a command window and a dialog box to enter your provider and login details.
After filling that in, and continuing, you should see the command window downloading the data.
After it's done, look in the folder for the newly created xml and dat files.
If that's all good, open MC and go to Options>Television>Load program guide> follow prompts to complete.

[1maynard]

Thanks, I will try that. I will let you know if it works.

[1maynard]

Well, I just deleted the xml and dat files and reentered my provider and login details. I then tried to load the program guide and I keep getting a message" execution of external program was successful but no data was loaded." Now what can I try?

[tzr916]

Did new xml and dat files get created in the folder?

[1maynard]

Yes, I tried deleting them and rescanned and still got the same message.

[tzr916]

If you look in the mc2xml folder, do the xml and dat files have a new "date modified" time stamp? What size is the xml file?

Reboot PC and try Options>Television>Load program guide again?

Personally, I have a windows scheduled task perform the mc2xml data download, then MC only loads data from file a few minutes later. I don't use MC to fire mc2xml.

[mwillems]

For any Linux users, the Linux mc2xml download on the link above downloads a zip file that appears to be corrupt or malformed when you open it.  It's actually the executable file with a zip extension added for some reason.  If you rename the file without the zip it works fine.

Thanks for posting this thread and the link!

[1maynard]

If you look in the mc2xml folder, do the xml and dat files have a new "date modified" time stamp? What size is the xml file?

Reboot PC and try Options>Television>Load program guide again?

Personally, I have a windows scheduled task perform the mc2xml data download, then MC only loads data from file a few minutes later. I don't use MC to fire mc2xml.

The xml and dat files have a new date modified time stamp corresponding to the time I ran the download. The xmt file is 12.4mb. How did you set up windows scheduler to do the data download?

[tzr916]

Right click on This PC > choose Manage > choose Task Scheduler > choose Task Scheduler Library > choose Create Task > see screen shots. Set schedule task to run 10 minutes before you tell MC to get data from file.

[1maynard]

tzr916, Thank you for the help. I will work on it this weekend when I get some time. I have never used task scheduler before, so this is new territory for me. I really hope it works for me.

[imeric]

I confirm the above... It seems like MC2XML expired just go and download a new version on their webpage however now if you have UAC on there's a pop-up message...So I needed to turn it off.

tzr's method could probably resolve this issue...I should try it..

[1maynard]

I got tired of trying to get mc2xml to work so I tried the SiliconDust guide since I have a subscription and it works perfectly. The subscription cost is $35.00 a year. I was using Schedules Direct, and the cost is $25.00 a year so for less than $1.00 a month I will continue using Silicone Dust for my guide service.