Can't install PVR-350 in Windows XP...please help

[wr202]

I've been trying for a week now, but can't get my PVR-350 installed in Windows XP. When I install the drivers, the files copy fine, but then Windows XP report "Data is invalid" and the drivers won't work. I looked this problem up on the web. The "data is invalid" problem occurs with installation of other devices in Windows XP also. Hauppauge has a workaround on their site that involves altering the PCI registry keys. I've tried this many times but can't get it to work. Microsoft has a workaround that involves booting to Safe Mode and then copying drivers.cab from the Installation CD over one in the Windows directory. I tried this and it also doesn't work. I've tried installing on two different computers with fresh installs of Windows XP several times. The problem also happens in Windows 2000. In Windows 98 and ME, everything installs fine.

I'm at my wits end here. I don't know what else I can do. I know this thing works with Windows XP. It's at the point where I might not be able to get an HTPC set up just because of a software problem. I would greatly appreciate anyone's help. Does anyone have any ideas? Did anyone have trouble installing on Windows XP? How did you finally get it to work? Thanks very much. I anxiously await your replies.

[wr202]

Did anyone reading this get the "data is invalid" problem I'm getting? When I searched the forums before my original post, I didn't find a single person with this problem. When you installed the drivers, did they just install okay just like any other drivers. If you had no problems installing the drivers with the PVR-250 or 350, please post. Thanks very much.

[stanger89]

Ok first, which drivers are you trying to install? If you're using the ones off the website try downloading them again. If all else fails try the ones on the CD.

Otherwise, there is a little trick with the PVR drivers that you need to install 2 drivers.
1) d/l and run HCWCLEAR to clear out any hauppauge s/w you have installed
2) d/l and extract the pvr250_inf.zip to get the base drivers
3) reboot (or have Device Manager check for new devices)
4) assuming XP detects the 250 point it ot the pvr250_inf dir to install the base drivers
5) once the drivers are installed (assuming they do) run pvr250_xx_xxxxx.exe to install the "Driver Update"

Then you should be good to go, you'll have to install the Hauppage Video Decoders if you plan on using them.

One more thing I just thougth of, do you have driver signing set to Ignore or Warn in Device manager?

Well, good luck.

[wr202]

Thanks for your help.

I finally got it to work. I tried many, many times. In one of numerous trials, I tried to install the drivers in Windows 2000. I got this to work on both of my systems, but the WinTV programs would report the drivers weren't loaded when they tried to start. This made me think that the drivers weren't loaded, so I didn't proceed any further. Finally, I checked in device manager and found they actually were loaded. I upgraded to Windows XP within Windows 2000 and, although I got a warning message, the drivers were allowed to be installed. Previously, I had tried to upgrade from Windows ME to see if that would work, but in that trial the drivers were disabled by Windows XP installation and it didn't get me anywhere. So, although this is an awkward workaround, at least I got it to work.

[Blackwell15]

Thanks for the tip Stranger,

I called Haupauge Tech support and they were sort of clueless other than doing what I had already done 5 times.
Downloading the inf and installing from a folder worked like a champ.

TYVM