How to properly configure xboard with houdini?

I have houdini (the free version) installed on windows 7 64 bit, and winboard (xboard for windows).

I tried loading houdini into xboard, by "loading game engine" and puting houdini exe path, but it doesn't seem to work, i see no errors but black (houdini) doesn't make any move.

So how to do it properly? Any step by step guide?

What version of WinBoard are you using?  (There are a lot of versions out there, and I know the steps for some of the earlier versions will differ if you have a current version.)

It sounds like you DO have a recent version and it sounds like your steps are fine.  Houdini is a UCI engine, so be sure to check the UCI box.

It worked when i checked the UCI box. thanks!

No problem.  Glad that was it.