Which one do you prefer? I am having difficulties with both. I am just wondering if it is not compatible with my OS, (Win ME) Is anyone else having any problems with theirs? I just want to watch videos like off of CBS.Com or music video's from CMT but each time I try I get alot of problems, like it gives me errors messages after I close the media player, and I have removed the realplayer, because it was really causing the computer to slow down. Is it just me or is anyone else experiencing these problems?

What are the error messages that you're seeing? The problem may be due to "out of date" codec files on your system.

Have you looked at the Windows Update site for anything related to "codecs"? You might find relief there. In Internet Explorer, click "Tools", then "Windows Update".

You may find a newer version of Windows Media Player available for download, also.

Also, if you see a DirectX runtime available, you might wish to download/install that.

You can click "Start", then "Run" and type in:

dxdiag

Click OK
This will run the DirectX diagnostic utility so that you can determine if you have any hardware/software problems on your system relating to sound and/or video.

The DirectX diagnostic tool is pretty self explanatory to run. You can run the various tests, and if any problems are found, run the Help/Troubleshooting utility.

I hope this helps!

Dwight

Hi Dwight,
I have gone to the Windows Update, and I am leary of downloading certain things, for instance I have tried IE 6 SP 1 before and it is not compatible with Win Me. I have tried it more than once and believe me, it doesn't work. I have had to restore system each time I've done it. As far as the other updates it gives me these:

DirectX 9.0b End User Runtime
Microsoft NET Framework Version 1.1
Windows Automatic Updating (Windows Me)
Internet Explorer Navigation Sound Update
Euro Conversion Tool
Root Certificates Update
Windows Movie Maker Update
Windows IDE Hard Drive Cache Package

I don't know if I want to download all these unless its absolutely necessary, I have had probelems in the past with some of them, especially the Root Certicate Update one. As far as the automatic updating one, I don't like giving it permission to come on, especially if I'm not the user at the time, because the kids do use the pc every once in a while and I don't want it interfering with what they are doing. I run IE 5.50 (I know, I'm running a dinosaur) but hey it's still alive!) So here's what my dxdiag came up with:

Everything came up as running properly except for when I clicked on the INPUT tab it has this message:

Problems were found in the system registry. Details are available in the saved text file.

I didn't know it saved these details and went to the help button and it said to run a *.xml to find them, that resulted in a lot of files, can't seem to find it, looks like a code when I pull it up. Where could I find these details? I have regcleaner, do you think that may resolve this?

Sorry to be so lengthy, any imput would be helpful.
SH

I suggest you download the "DirectX 9.0b End User Runtime", then run the dxdiag again. You will note that the DirectX window is enhanced in the newer version. When prompted, I suggest you allow the "WHQL" option.

The "INPUT tab" problem is not related to this (in fact I have the same noted problem on my system). When you click the "Save All" button, the text is saved into a simple text file, in the directory that is set in the "Save In" window.

You didn't say what kind of error messages that you're seeing when you close the Windows Media Player. It would help if I knew what the error messages say. I suspect the problem that you're seeing is related to a driver problem with either your Video Adapter or Sound card driver.

If the error messages indicate a sound problem, you can "turn down" the "Hardware Sound Acceleration Level" in the DirectX Diagnostic tool, Sound tab. That sometimes helps. Also, you can turn down the Graphic Acceleration Level in the Control Panel Display Properties/Settings/Advanced/Performance window.

But if either of these two hardware drivers are flawed, the best bet is to download new drivers from the device manufacturer's Website. You can find out what graphics and sound hardware devices you have in the Control Panel/System Properties/Device Manager tab, or by downloading the BelArc Advisor

I suspect the problem that you're having with Internet Explorer version 6.0 SP1 may be related to this same problem with videos. I have several clients happily running Internet Explorer version 6.0 SP1 with their Windows ME Operating Systems, so I know the I.E. 6.0 browser is not incompatible with WinME. But there is no reason you can't run the I.E. 5.5 version if you prefer.

In the list of availabe downloads that you posted, the DirectX Runtime is the only one I would suggest you download.

Please do post the contents of the error messages that you're seeing.

Dwight

[This message was edited by Dwight on 03-06-04 at 05:47 PM.]

Okay, I am sorry I didn't write down the error message, grrrr, always in a hurry trying to keep it from crashing. But I do believe it was a driver error message. It has not done it since I have run the dxdiag and allowed the WHQL option when I ran the dxdiag. I thought I had it all straightened out when it acted up again, it went to that blue screen. You know the one where it says Ctrl, alt, delete or press any key. The error was:

NTKERN(01) + 0000EECC:OE:0028:C002EFDC

I pressed any key and it gave me this:

An exception OE has occurred at: 0028:C02DIFCC in VxD VREDIR(06) + 00006500. This was call from 0028:C0117668 in VxD VKD(01) + 00000640.

It then froze up and I couldn't do anything, just had to turn the power button off.

I do want to point out something about the IE 6 SP1 issue though, I do remember a long time ago, an issure of the red X's and everyone complaining about them. There is a site that explains a little bit about this. This is why I went back to IE 5.5, here's a site that may give you a little info on it:

Computer Gripes

I forget who posted about computer gripes but it was very helpful, I particularly was interested in the one about ZA.

Thanks for the info on directx Runtime, I did download it, Dwight. I still will have to see if I can update my drivers. Will try that BelArc Advisor as you suggested, thanks!

Soaringhorse