Windows Media Center Crashing

Hi Brian Keffer,     

You may try the below methods one by one and check if this helps.

Method 1: Rebuild Media Center data store and check.
 
Steps to do a rebuild of the data store:

1. Click Start ,
2. Type “run” in the Start Search box, and then Click Run in the Programs list.
If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type the password, or click Continue. 
3. In the Open box, type %systemdrive%\programdata\microsoft\ehome
4. Click OK . 
5. In the details pane, right-click “mediacenterdatastore.db” , and then
6. Click Delete . 
7. Click Yes to confirm that you want to move the "Mediacenterdatastore.db" file to the Recycle Bin. 
8. Restart Windows Media Center.

Method 2: Disable and re-enable Windows Media Center.

1.      Close all programs.
2.      Click Start button, and then click Control Panel.
3.      Under Programs, click Uninstall a program.
4.      In the tasks pane, click Turn Windows features on or off.
5.      In the list of windows features, click on plus sign next to Media Features.
6.      Under Media Features clear the check mark next to Windows Media Center.
7.      You receive a warning message in a pop-up window. Click Yes.
8.      Now restart the computer and then go to Turn Windows features on or off features. Place a check mark for Windows Media Center. You receive a warning message in a pop-up window. Click Yes.
9.      Restart your computer.

For more information visit the below links:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Turn-Windows-features-on-or-off
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/What-happens-if-i-turn-off-media-features

Method 3:  Perform System restore on your computer.
System restore will take your computer to pervious state when it was not facing such problem, this can be done by selecting the proper restore point.  

To restore the operating system to an earlier point in time, follow these steps:
 
1. Click Start, type system restore in the Start Search box, and then click System Restore in the Programs list.
 
If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type your password or click Continue.
 
2. In the System Restore dialog box, click Choose a different restore point, and then click Next.
3. In the list of restore points, click a restore point that was created before you began to experience the issue, and then click Next.
4. Click Finish.
 
For more information visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936212/

Hope this information is helpful.
 
Umesh P - Microsoft Support