I posted this message at HTPC title, think I better paste the post here:

I found a tutorial page that may benefit most of us that want to tweak our remote controller for XBMC.

XBMC remote controller Configuration tutorials

And there's this PDF file that show how to make XBMC sensitive to remote control too:
Click here

I tried the XBMC last night, and follow the PDF file I posted earlier to enable the remote control. The generic remote works partially after that. So I believe the instruction will surely make it better.

Do note according to the XBMC.org, newer version is expected to come out soon, which may be able to run HD video.