Hey - I have the newest Media Player 10 installed, and I always get the message that it's connecting, but I never can view the videos, or listen to the music.

It is quite strange...

It worked before I upgraded to MP10, around six months ago, but now it isn't.

Do you think downgrading would help?

However, when I try to install an older version, it shows that a newer version is already installed, and aborts.

Any ideas on how I can fix this problem?

Regards,

Stephen

Hi Stephen
I agree Window Media player takes unkindly without warning to almost anything I have WMV files which only play after messing with the file associations
WMV files are supposed to only be playable by this program
Only other player that's worth trying is RealPlayer
If you have got XP then set it as Default in the Program list? It can handle quite a few media file if not the Windows Media Player will appear if it can deal with it? Have to tick a box in the Program Access list on the Control Panel(allowed 2 choices as alternatives)

Any way to get Windows Media Player to work correctly, however?

Please move this thread to 'beginners issues' or 'software', if you would.

You don't mention seeing an error message but this Microsoft Page might help: Click here.

Note: "Troubleshooting "8004" and "8007" error messages can be especially difficult because the component might encounter a problem and not indicate to Windows Media Player what specifically went wrong. As a result, Windows Media Player might not be able to display an error message that provides a clear description of the problem or a potential solution."

Are you familiar with the DirectX Diagnostic tool? You can run that and see if it can point out any specific "problem" files. To run it:
(1) Click Start
(2) Click Run
(3) Type in: dxdiag
(4) Click OK
(5) OK the WHQL question
The tool is pretty self explanatory. Just look look for any "problem" files. You can run the tests and check your graphics and audio, too.

You might try turning both the graphic and audio accelerators down and seeing if that helps. If it does, you can generally download a new graphics or audio (or both) driver(s) and installing them.

The "Additional Help" section may help identify where the problem lies.

Can you play an audio CD successfully? How about other audio file types? Try the .midi file on this page: http://www.dwightblackburn.com/
Right side of page, "Click here for music" link.
If none of these other file types work, please let us know.

I hope something here will help,
Dwight

Ran all of the tests I saw, couldn't find a problem.

I am having problems running videos mainly, music will play.

"I am having problems running videos mainly, music will play."

It would help if you pointed out a specific video file that is not working correctly. Since there are so many different types, knowing this would help narrow down the problem. I assume the movies that you're wanting to play on on the Internet, so just the address is enough information.


Dwight

Such as any of the videos which can be found at I-am-bored, embbed wma/mp3 music files, etc.

Here's a randon link to one of the videos

Link

I suggest you empty your Temporary Internet Files folder (sometimes referred to as "cache"). In Internet Explorer, click the "Tools" menu, then the "Internet Options" command.

Click the "Delete Files" button and all of the Temporary Internet Files cache will be emptied. Restart the computer and try the video page again. Your Link

If the video files don't play correctly, in Internet Explorer click on "Tools", then "Windows Update". Allow the scan to run, then look for any "codecs" available for your system. If you find any, please download and install them and try the video again after system restart.

In this doesn't help, please post again. Please verify your Operating System.

Dwight

I have previously tried all of above remedies.

I am using Windows XP, SP1.

I had the same problem and after alot of trial and error I finally opened the properties box and went to "Find Target" and opened it from there. I have XP home addition and tried to upgrade to 10 but ended up using a previous version to get it to work. I'm no expert but this worked for me. I've also heard that sometimes having too many different players will cause a problem too.

"I have previously tried all of above remedies."

First of all, I apologize for taking so long in getting back to you. I didn't notice your reply message until this morning.

Let me be clear on a couple of points. (1) You said you can play music but not videos. Do you have another player and if so, do the videos play correctly in that? If they do play correctly, we will have narrowed the problem down to your Windows Media Player program file.

In Internet Explorer, do you have the "Media" tool open? If you don't see it on your I.E. Toolbar, click the "View" menu then the "Toolbars", then the Customize command. Add it and give that a try. If your Media has been open, try closing it and see if that makes a difference.

Try this page. There is a variety of test video/audio files. Try opening the .wmf files with WMP, then run the video with audio. If the player plays correctly here, then the problem may be with your Internet Explorer program file. To save a file to system, then play it back right-click on the link, then choose "Save Target As". Once the file is saved to your system, double-click it to run it.

If they don't play correctly in either WMP or another player, then we will have narrowed the problem down to your graphics card (probably the driver). If the videos don't play correctly in any player you should be able to download and install a new graphics card driver. There probably is a driver file already on your hard drive that the computer will automatically install once the existing card driver is uninstalled and the system is restarted. Let me know if you need more details on this.

(2) Do you have a firewall installed, and if so is the Windows Media Player given permission to access the file? If you don't have a firewall, please let me know.

Free Media Player download

This a player you can try. You will need a video file download you can run in it. This is an .avi test file you can try. Right-click on the link, then choose "Save Target As". Once the file is saved to your system, open the Sigma Player and then use the "Add to Playlist" button to open the test .avi file and see if the video runs correctly.
Dwight

Hmm. I believe I can download and play video files, however, I don't think I can play remotely hosted videos, which can be found on the web, which you can't download.

I have the most current drivers for my card, have Kerio personal free firewall, however it is set so WMA can access...

If the problem is with remotely hosted videos but locally accessed video files play correctly I would think the problem may be with your I.E. installation.

You can run the System File Check utility which will scan your system files and replace any that it finds to be lost or damaged. This usually takes about 45 - 60 minutes to run. To do this:
1. Click Start
2. Click Run
3. Type in: sfc /scannow and click OK
4. If any file or files are found to be damaged or lost you will be prompted to insert your Windows XP SP1 CD and allow the tool to replace the file(s).
5. If using the WinXP CD is a problem, you might be able to direct the SFC Utility to use the Windows system files in the i386 folder which is usually located in C:\Windows
6. If you have only a “Restore” CD from your equipment manufacturer, this process may or may not work correctly. If this is the case you may need to run a WinXP Repair Install.

Repair Install

Good luck with this!

Dwight

Dwight
With XP it's reverted back to the CheckDisk program Not Scandisk and the SFC
Though by selecting a hard drive (right clicking> properties) you can access the "error check" program off the tools tab Has 2 tick boxes 1 for Fix system files and the other the fixes bad sector errors on the Hard drive
It does 3 passes When you run it says:" Phase 1..2 ect."
Ok the other lazy way is to type "Chkdsk">OK button in the run box on the Start menu and it will scan the drive or drives (displays a DOS window)
Big problem here is you have to type the correct code in here to get the program to work the same as above
Here is the XP help article on this
But It's very complex
Geeks only?
Stick to the Drive Properties error checker (same program)
Ps Try this Computer site out has streaming Video links with both Windows and Realplayer feeds Designed for Broadband but you may be able to view some parts with Dial up www.g4tv.com/videos/index.html
I have some ongoing access problems myself playing streaming WMV files though its a 50/50 thing I can't work out why this happens
TIP see if you can view Webcams these stream mostly in Realplayer but there are others with Media Player and QuickTime (and they are some times switchable between formats) So you have a possible workaround to try out

No errors....

I do have broadband though. Most sites these days only offer streaming news, etc in WMA format, some offer in others, but most don't.

quote:

No errors...

What does that mean? Did you run SFC and it found no errors?

If that is the case, then I think you should consider updating to WinXP SP2.

Dwight