Xbox remote

turn remote control on the xbox to xbox media remote only

Update to my last post:

If you have the current version of the Xbox 360 Dashboard, follow this command path -- System Settings > Console Settings > Remote Control

You will see 2 options listed: "Both Remotes" (allows you to use either the Xbox 360 Media Remote or a Windows Media Center Remote) and "Xbox 360 Media Remote" (sets the system to accept input from only an Official Xbox 360 Media Remote, or an Officially Licensed
3rd party equivalent.) Make sure your system is set to "Xbox 360 Media Remote" then exit out of the System Settings menus and try the remote again.

I hope that helps.

Im stoked ill finally be able to combine my tv remote, xbox controller, and soundbar remote into an all in one remote now

The original Xbox remote was designed as a remote for a Media Center Extender. This new remote is designed for the new Live TV inititive that Microsoft is pursuing.

If this is the first time you've had/used an Xbox 360 Media Remote, you have to go to System Settings > Remote Control and change the setting from either "Windows Media Center" or "Both" (depending on which version of the Xbox Console you have) to "Xbox
Remote". For some reason, the default setting is the WRONG one. That's most likely what's causing your remote to not work.

If you ALREADY have it set to "Xbox Remote" and it still doesn't work, you may have a defective remote if it's an official Microsoft Xbox 360 Media Remote.

If it's a 3rd Party remote, made by a different brand, in all likelihood you've wasted your money on a remote that doesn't actually work for the Xbox 360. The only 3rd party remote I recommend and will vouch for is a very hard to find European model, the
Snakebyte Media Remote. It's the only one that gets good reviews. When I wanted a black Xbox 360 Media Remote with Backlit Keys, I tracked one down on eBay, and I can personally attest that it works every bit as well as the official Microsoft
remotes. But good luck finding one, they are very scarce right now. I consider myself very lucky to have managed to track one down. ^_^