i3-12100 + UHD 730 hangs/crashes in full screen mode

[Haze]

Hi there,

Have recently been trying to set up a new HTPC; it's a very simple/basic build with a 12100 cpu [with integrated gfx] and a H610 motherboard.

It's a completely fresh Win 10 installation and the only extra software installed is the old Microsoft Windows Media Center (WMC) application, and I'm using the built-in HDMI output to connect to my tv.  

However I have discovered a problem with this new setup that I simply cannot fix.  Every time I put the WMC app into full-screen mode (which is of course how you would normally want to use it), it very quickly hangs and then crashes.  However, if I run the app in windowed mode, then no problems at all.

I have tried tweaking every setting available the Graphics Command Center App, but it makes no difference.  I have tried many different screen resolutions, it makes no difference.  I have tried driving different TVs and different monitors with this HTPC; it makes no difference.

If I plug a discrete gfx card into the HTPC and use that instead of the UHD730 gfx then everything works fine again with the full-windowed app.  [I've tried both an Nvidia and an AMD card; they both work fine.] It's only when I switch back to the UHD 730 gfx that the WMC app starts crashing/hanging again.

I have used this WMC software on various Intel boards with differing integrated gfx over the years and never had a problem like this before. 

Anybody got any suggestions I could try?  

[Yes I have made sure I am using all the latest drivers for everything]

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello @Haze

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

Please allow us to review this information and we will be posting back in the thread as soon as possible.

Best regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello Haze

After doing some research we found out that the Windows Media Center* app isn't included in Windows* 10 and it is not supported on Windows 10, and Microsoft is even removing the app for those users upgrading from Windows* 7/8/8.1. For instance, refer to Do I have Windows Media Center?

Our recommendation is to check with Microsoft* Support as this application is not validated for Windows* 10 but only for older operating system versions.

Having said that, we will proceed to close the thread now. If you need any additional information, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Best regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Haze]

And to add more pertinent information to the equation - if I disable the Intel gfx driver and revert down to the generic Microsoft basic adapter driver, then the WMC app will work fine again in full window mode.  It's too slow to be useable (of course), but it does prove that all my hardware and Windows/software setup is working ok; no errors/bugs/problems with any of that.

Looking at all the evidence & info I've now carefully compiled for you on this matter, I'd say it's pretty reasonable to be putting the blame squarely on the Intel gfx driver.

Thus this issue is not closed as far as I'm concerned; I would appreciate some further investigation.  Many thanks!

[Haze]

Hi again, yes I realise all that, however I was still hoping you could make some suggestions as to what I could investigate in my 12100+730UHD combo that might help me diagnose what's going wrong.

To elaborate further and give you more examples - I have this simple WMC software working perfectly fine in a fresh Win 10 PC running 3570K+HD4000, and it works fine in a fresh Win 10 PC running 6700+HD530, and it works fine in a fresh Win 10 PC running 11900k+UHD750. 

So there must be something specifically in the 730UHD chipset hardware (or software) that is different and is causing upset?  

Because as I said, if I bypass the 730UHD gfx and use the 12100 htpc with a discrete gfx card (either Nvidia or AMD) then the WMC software works perfectly fine again; so that would suggest the 12100 cpu itself is ok.

Surely there's something you can suggest I check or tweak or run next?

Thanks!

[Haze]

And to add more pertinent information to the equation - if I disable the Intel gfx driver and revert down to the generic Microsoft basic adapter driver, then the WMC app will work fine again in full window mode.  It's too slow to be useable (of course), but it does prove that all my hardware and Windows/software setup is working ok; no errors/bugs/problems with any of that.

Looking at all the evidence & info I've now carefully compiled for you on this matter, I'd say it's pretty reasonable to be putting the blame squarely on the Intel gfx driver.

Thus this issue is not closed as far as I'm concerned; I would appreciate some further investigation.  Many thanks!

[AndrewG_Intel]

Hello Haze

Thank you for your response and for all the details.

Based on the official documentation from Microsoft*, the Windows Media Center* app is no longer included/supported on the latest versions of Windows. Therefore, in regards to this request, we would like to inform you that we can't commit to any fixes for such an old application, especially when we can't install the application anymore on Windows* 10/11 using official Microsoft sources.

In this scenario, our suggestion is to look for more modern alternatives as this is also the direction Microsoft is going with. Having said that, we will close this thread now and it will no longer be monitored.

Thank you for your understanding.

Best regards,

Andrew G.

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Haze]

Yes, you've made it clear that this is your official position, and I do understand that it's because I am using a piece of software that isn't current/supported.  But still, it's hard not to see your response as a bit of a convenient cop-out... 🤔

[And as for the way ahead, it looks like I now will have to spend money on putting in a third-party discrete gfx card, for no other reason than to completely bypass your onboard Intel gfx chip/driver.  Not exactly the quiet, efficient, simple HTPC setup I expected to be able to achieve with your products.]