I don't know what's wrong with my computer, but I'm having problems with VMC crashing while using ffdshow or CoreAVC.  After VMC crashes, then I get restricted content errors on all my recordings.  My only way to get my system to start recording again is to restart the system.  Sometimes I'm able to get restricted content errors just by closing VMC and reopening it.  It's rather fustrating.  Fustrating enough that I'm willing to try the Dell Factory Restore just so that I can get my system back to the beginning and start over.  My question is if I do this, will I lose DRM rights to all my current recordings, and will i need to call Verizon to authenticate my cablecards?

I had the same problem, after failing to play a MKV I would get restricted content messages. I was able to remove the restricted content by restarting the receiver service.

My problem ended up being my codecs. I figured out that the problem was caused from updating ArcSoft TotalMedia Theater. Evidently when I updated it, it reinstalled its codecs with higher precendence than the ones I wanted to use. I re-installed haali splitter and ffdshow and the problem went away.

As for starting over as a last resort. I would do a fresh install and make your own restore image next time. Make a smaller C drive that is easy to restore, I went with 20GB. If you have Vista Ultimate you can make an image with its backup software, otherwise try the latest Acronis Drive Image ($50) or the latest version of Ghost. The nice thing about the new versions is you can make images while windows is running. I always make a new image before I update any drivers or software on my system, or install new software.

Anyways, after you have a fresh install, you'll lose all of your CC recordings, but you don't have to reactivate your CableCARDs. You will have to run through the tuner setup again, enter the tuner key again, but the CCs will still be activated.

There's something wrong with my system, becuase I did notice that that my setting changes to codec priority aren't taking hold.  I'm thinking a fresh install will serve my needs best.

If that is the case then I'd make a backup of all your non-CableCARD content. Then reformat the drive with a 20GB C drive and leave the rest unformated (I left the Dell recovery partition too, but I reformated it for my own images).

Then re-install using the Dell Vista DVD. Re-download all the latest drivers -- I noticed that Dell didn't have the latest ATI and Intel NIC drivers on their site.

Then do all the Windows updates including SP1. And format the rest of your drive for your media. Restore all your media.

Then make an image.

Then install all the tuners.

Make another image.

Then install all the 3rd party software.

Make a final image.

I only kept the final image. I made the others just in case the following step went south. Then I make new images every time before any major changes.  Because you lose all your CableCARD recordings since the last time you make an image, I don't keep old images, just the last known good one. The images of my 20GB C drive are usually about 10-15 GB.