Ideq Biostar 300G MCE-I - remote control problem

[meg]

MediaPortal Version: Media Portal Program
Windows Version: XP home SP 2
CPU Type: Pentium 4, 3Ghz (531)
HDD: 160GB Maxtor DMax+17 SATA2 8MB
Memory: Corsair Value Select 2x512MB PC3200
Motherboard: Ideq Proprietry
Motherboard Chipset: Intel 915G + ICH6R
Motherboard Bios: Phoenix AwardBIOS (6.00 PG 23/03/2005)
Video Card: onboard Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Video Card Driver: IGMA version 6.14.10.3865
Sound Card: onboard Realtek AC'97 Audio
Sound Card AC3: not sure?
Sound Card Driver: alcxwdm.sys (5.10.5781)
1. TV Card: none present
MPEG2 Video Codec: MPV Decoder Filter
MPEG2 Audio Codec: MPA Decoder Filter
Satelite/CableTV Provider: none
HTPC Case: none
Cooling: as supplied
Power Supply: as supplied
Remote: as supplied by manufacturer (MCE compliant)
TV: none
TV - HTPC Connection: none

I have a Ideq Biostar 300G MCE-I, running XP Home. It came with its own MCE remote control and IR receiver on the front of the computer. I would like to use Media Portal to control:

radio (on motherboard),
internet radio,
playing music,
DVD's.

Before installing Media Portal, the remote control could switch the computer between standby and on, but no other controls were accepted / recognised (at least there was some communication although limited).

Now that I've loaded Media Portal, the arrow keys work on the remote control work, but none of the rest of the keys seem to be functional. I've selected that it is an MCE control, but am unsure of other settings.

The link below goes the the spec on the manufacturers website.
http://www.biostar.com.tw/products/b...300g/index.php

I've never used remote controls for computer applications so don't really know where to start, and would be grateful for any directions. I've read through the forums, but am really unsure of where best to start (or whether I'm wasting my time!). For example - is the Ideq's MCE controller standard?

thanks,

Meg