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You may receive an error message when you try use a device or a program to access the Windows Home Server shared media folder

Article ID: 939217 - View products that this article applies to.

SYMPTOMS

Consider the following scenario. You use the Media Library Sharing feature in Windows Home Server to stream digital media to devices on your home network. Then, you try to use a device or a program to access the shared media folder through Media Library Sharing. In this scenario, you may receive one of the following error messages, as appropriate for the particular device or program:

Roku SoundBridge M1000 Network Music Player
Please authorize your SoundBridge in the media server software on your PC, then try again.
D-Link MediaLounge DSM-520 High Definition Wireless Media Player
Please authorize your device first.

Unable to access this folder.
Windows Media Player 11
Before you can play items in this library, you must first be allowed to access the library.
Xbox 360
Can't connect. Make sure your have activated this console on your computer.

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CAUSE

This issue occurs if more than 10 devices try to access the shared media folder through Media Library Sharing.

Media Library Sharing in Windows Home Server has a 10-device limit. You may experience a situation in which this limit is exceeded. For example, another user may connect to the network by using a computer that is running Windows Media Player 11. If Windows Media Player has media discovery enabled, this computer may be counted as a device in Windows Home Server.

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RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, clear the authorized device list in Windows Home Server. To do this, follow these steps:

Disable unused media devices that use Media Library Sharing.
Disable media sharing for music, for photos, and for videos. Then, re-enable media sharing for these items. To do this, follow these steps:
1. Start the Windows Home Server Console.
2. In the upper-right, click Settings.
3. In the Windows Home Server Settings dialog box, click Media Sharing.
4. Next to the following items, click Off:
  - Music
  - Photos
  - Videos
5. Click Apply.
6. Next to the following items, click On:
  - Music
  - Photos
  - Videos
7. Click Apply, and then click OK.
Restart the devices with which you experienced this issue. For example, restart the computer that is running Windows Media Player 11, or restart the Xbox 360 device.

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MORE INFORMATION

The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, about the performance or reliability of these products.

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