Media player cpu usage problems

mbeer · #1 01-11-2005, 04:48 PM

I have been having trouble with windows media player 10 lately when I try to play avi files. The files will play fine for a couple of minutes and then the video becomes very choppy and doesn't catch up with the audio. Also I have noticed that my performance monitor indicates that the cpu usage gradually increases to 100% when media player is having the problems. I have tried a few different things to fix the problem but I am really stuck now. I have already done both virus and spyware scans and they both appear to be clean. Any further help would be appreciated.

Play_The_0dds · #2 01-11-2005, 05:16 PM

try a different player like divX or something to see if it is issues with the files. if not...post back and tell us if it was better worse, or about the same.

mbeer · #3 01-11-2005, 06:24 PM

I downloaded the latest version of DivX and experienced the same problem after about 5 minutes.

I did a search a few days ago for "wmplayer.exe" on my computer as suggested in another thread. At that time I found some wmplayer.exe files in places other than program files. The other thread suggested I delete those extra files and I did. I then recently re-upgraded to media player version 10 and I notice that there are extra files again, could these be the source of the problem?

Play_The_0dds · #4 01-11-2005, 10:08 PM

it is a possibilty., but if divX caused the same problem, just took longer it makes me think it could be more. do a online virus scan, then a updated spyware scan, links below for good free ones.
http://www.pandasoftware.com/actives..._principal.htm

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button

mbeer · #5 01-12-2005, 04:16 PM

Ok, I ran the adaware program and it found 43 problems so I removed all of those. The panda activescan program says that it found one infected file and it could not be disinfected. I am supposed to click "view report" for more details but I don't see a button that says view report anywhere in the window. I don't know what to do from here. Thanks for your help so far.

F_Porsche · #6 01-12-2005, 05:02 PM

IMHO, This problem has nothing to do with Spyware or Viruses.
mbeer, please post your computer configuration.

mbeer · #7 01-12-2005, 07:50 PM

I am runnin Windows XP service pack 2
Sony Vaio PCG-GRZ660 notebook
Intel Pentium 4 2.40 GHz
Toshiba DVD-Rom

Thats pretty much all I know.

mbeer · #8 01-12-2005, 08:00 PM

Just found that I have 512 MB of RAM

F_Porsche · #9 01-13-2005, 04:52 AM

That's plenty of power to run Video's and Audio's. Did you try to scan for viruses in safe mode? Some viruses can be detected only by scanning Windows XP in safe mode. Upgrade you anti-virus software too, that will also help.

mbeer · #10 01-13-2005, 12:48 PM

OK, last night I updated virus definitions and scanned my computer again and symantec found two threats. One was a trojan called download. trojan with the file name mmview_101.dll.
The other threat had a filename mmviewer_101[1].cab. Both threats were quarantined by the AV program.

I tried playing another video and it still didn't work. now I'm really confused.

mbeer · #11 01-14-2005, 11:44 PM

If anybody knows how to help me out with this problem, please let me know what to do. Thanks.

Play_The_0dds · #12 01-15-2005, 01:05 AM

ok, you been pulling out several viruses...you may have some file/program corruption. if you have a xp cd handy, drop it in the drive, close the screen that pops up and go to start>run>type
sfc /scannow
and let it replace any damaged system file. if this does not help reinstalling IE and possibly wmp may help, if not a repair install of XP may be needed. I would suggest a format and reinstall but do not know your situation...

F_Porsche · #13 01-15-2005, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mbeer
If anybody knows how to help me out with this problem, please let me know what to do. Thanks.

Sorry for the delay, My Computer needs repairing, so i'm using another pc until I get my pc repaired.
One question: You did delete those threats, right? Also scan the pc in windows' safe mode. You might find other infections under safe mode.
I agree with Play_The_Odds, you may have corrupted data. Before doing a reinstall (If you haven't done so already), Go to the run command in the start menu. Then type in sfc /Scannow exactly as I typed it and click on enter. Windows should now check the pc for windows files that are in their orignial version. If it finds some, you may need to use your Windows XP cd. If it finds invalid files and wants to copy original files from the windows xp cd, then get the windows cd. If all is well, then either reinstall Windows Media Player 10 or windows xp.

kinmad · #14 01-17-2005, 04:00 AM

Hi,

New to the forum, but noticed this subject, as I'm having exactly the same issues. Not just windows media player, but winamp, skype, msn messenger all work for approx 2 mins before the usage creeps up to 100%.

I've also done all the virus and spyware checks and cleans etc, and full defrag and clean, but after thinking about it, the problems probably with emphasis on probably started to happen after installing service pack 2?

I'm no expert, but wanted to chuck it out there as a possibility to see what people think. I'm going to uninstall and see what happens......

Cheers

Kinmad

kinmad · #15 01-17-2005, 10:13 AM

Well,

Removed SP2 - Have enough security anyway (I hope), but I noticed a spyware program called update.exe was on my PC.

Cleaned it up via adware and all seems okay now (fingers crossed).

Hopefully this is the end of weeks of frustration