Error: Xbox 360 could not connect to the Windows Media Centre PC

I had the same issue but realized the problem was the dell security software that came on my laptop.  (sometimes refered to as tps) .

The second I removed it everything connected right away.

you may want to goto add remove programs and search for sec  or tps to find and remove the default security software.

Hope this helps.

I have this exact same problem as on 2/15/2013. I have exhausted every online forum suggestion and article available. It appears Microsoft does not feel that this is a high enough priority based on these posts, so I will give up now. I have been a MS fan for years, but now I am starting to get frustrated and understand why some people prefer Apple because it "just works".

Wish this would be resolved.

I know it's over a year since the last post on this particular thread, but for anyone still viewing this question due to the exact same problems, I too have had this exact same issue with no luck in resolving it. I have tried every bit of instruction available throughout ALL of the various Microsft and Xbox help sources, and absolutely nothing has been of any help whatsoever, nor have any of the offered instructions changed anything for the situation at hand. Being that I cannot seem to get ahold of anyone from either source (Microsoft or Xbox) without having to wait a minimum of hours on end (or even weeks to months in some cases) I'm just going to assume that this is a service offered, but undelivered, by both parts. I've asked various gamer buddies on Xbox and they too have had the same problem (for those with a Windows 7 Media Center PC) still with no solution. I've made attempts to chat with a Xbox ambassador several times during numerous different time frames, and it seems there's never anyone available. Calling the 1-800 Xbox number was a fluke too; when finally achieving a converstaion with an actual human being, they simply resort to the same instructions listed on the websites, and when that doesn't work--obviously--they refer me to the websites for troubleshooting help.

For anyone looking for an alternative option in regards to listening to music on the Xbox while gaming, a flash drive (or USB storage device) that meets xbox performance requirements can be used to play MP3 files on the Xbox Music Player. To do this, test the storage device on your Xbox first (this may or may not require that it be formatted for the Xbox first; honestly I cannot recall at this time). If it meets performance requirements, format it on your PC (if it isn't already) and then copy whatever music you'd like to listen to onto the storage device. Once finished, plug the device into one of the USB ports on the Xbox, and the device should be automatically listed as a source of music for the standard Xbox Music Player. Please note that some USB storage devices may cause performance problems with the console's disc drive, which can cause game discs not to play (according to the Xbox website); for the record, I have not encountered this problem personally, however I only use flash drives that meet Xbox performance requirements.

To Microsoft and Xbox: It's incredibly disappointing to see that this problem has been ongoing for over two years (almost three years now) with no apparent solution (as of yet--if there is one by now I've failed to find it despite the hours I've spent hunting). Actions speak louder than words, and while your words say you remain dedicated to the utmost of customer service and care, your actions depict otherwise; failing to deliver a solution to an ongoing problem for a a period of time as long as this is simply unnacceptable and is cause for consumers like me to make other consumers aware of such issues to the point of advising that potential purchases in products from your company should be avoided. If things don't change, my consumer choices in computer and gaming products will, and surrounding friends and family will be informed about such issues so that they too can choose consumer products free from situations such as this. Failing to deliver on this level of customer service is simply inexcusable--there is no reason this problem (or any problem with any of your company's consumer products) should remain unresolved for such a period of time as long as this.

Yeah, none of this did the trick.

Not sure if this helps but I had the same problem using Windows 7 64 bit on a 2007 R2 Domain. The solution I found after banging my head against solid surfaces for a couple of days was turning off the welcome message that I had set in group policy. Due to the nature of the extender which uses RDP to connect to the host machine the welcome message causes the connection to time out.

The issue would be caused on any domain with a welcome message setup I guess so the OS and Server OS is irrelevant in most cases.