Problems with Windows Media Player

[Inno]

OK... This is a long one. First of all, I've read all the threads that relate to this problem before I registered, tried the advice, and none of it works. I've done thorough scans for spyware, trojans and viruses, and found nothing.

Windows Media Player just plain isn't working. I try to open it, I get an Internal Error message, I try to reinstall it, I get told there are no updates available; I try to watch some streaming video (on the BBC.co.uk website, for example) and get a "Cannot create DirectShow player" error. Now winamp has started to close down and freeze when I try to watch videos on that. I'm currently using VLC to watch video files, but if I go into a folder that has a thumbnail view of a winamp/WindowsMedia file, the system locks up. Internet Explorer seems to be a little sluggish too.

I am totally and utterly lost as to what to do. I've tried the suggestions on the microsfot knowledge base about editing registries, I've even followed suggestions to boot up in safe mode, delete and reinstall that way - still no joy.

I'm at the end of my tether - can anyone help?

[Inno]

It's both I'm having troubles with. I get the cannot create directshow player for online streaming, and internal application error with saved files like .mpgs and .avis

[Inno]

You've already lost me - want do you want to know? Which one I want to use and which one I want to lose?

[Inno]

Well, to be fair - it's everykind of streaming video bar realplayer - an example would be any of the videos here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/

[Inno]

I've tried re-installing WMP 10 & installing WMP 11, and everytime it gets to the end of the process and says it cannot complete.

RE: The BBC videos, no they're free to view. Might just be a resident in the UK thing, I guess, but I've never had to pay. And I realise that if I had to pay, and didn't then I wouldn't see anything

It's ANY streaming video that uses WMP to play at all.

[Inno]

help? It's 4am here and I'm as bemused as I was before - as far as I can see, you've not actually helped me at all - I have no file associations with winamp. The fact that you can get it to play shows me that I do actually have a problem!

[Inno]

Gee thanks for the help! You sure solved my problem!

Is everyone here as friendly and as helpful?

[fritzi93]

It's understandable that your problem has you frustrated. But you should remember that no one here gets paid for any help they offer, and Oldtimer did try to help you.

Anyway, I would suspect a corrupt DirectShow filter. The fact that VLC still works would tend to confirm that the problem lies there. You can view your codecs with CodecSniper, and see if any are "broken". Free, get it here:

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Codec_Sniper

Careful what you delete with that! In the listings, you will see the source, whether it's from a codec pack, for example. (Lots of computers get fooked with codec packs). Typically, those are safe to delete. If unsure, post a screenshot.

Wouldn't hurt to run system file checker as well to replace any corrupt system files. Start -> Run ->

sfc /scannow

Note the space after sfc. If there's no I386 folder on your C drive, you'll need your Windows CD handy. (This pertains to XP).

One more thing. You don't specify what types of videos are giving you problems, or maybe all of them. This may or may not be applicable: It's not unusual for downloaded vids to have corrupt headers, which can give Explorer fits. Most times one can fix that by running something like DivFix on the file, or running it through VirtualDub on direct stream copy to rewrite the header. But I'd try the other things first.

Good luck.

[Inno]

Originally Posted by fritzi93

Anyway, I would suspect a corrupt DirectShow filter. The fact that VLC still works would tend to confirm that the problem lies there. You can view your codecs with CodecSniper, and see if any are "broken". Free, get it here:

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=Codec_Sniper

Careful what you delete with that! In the listings, you will see the source, whether it's from a codec pack, for example. (Lots of computers get fooked with codec packs). Typically, those are safe to delete. If unsure, post a screenshot.

Those two were listed as broken, everything else said OK next to it. I have no idea what any of them mean, however!

Originally Posted by fritzi93

One more thing. You don't specify what types of videos are giving you problems, or maybe all of them. This may or may not be applicable: It's not unusual for downloaded vids to have corrupt headers, which can give Explorer fits. Most times one can fix that by running something like DivFix on the file, or running it through VirtualDub on direct stream copy to rewrite the header. But I'd try the other things first.

OK, the only videos I can watch streaming currently are RealPlayer videos. I could watch everything previously, up until last week; same as with the video files I have downloaded on my Hard Drive, it's only since the problem with Media Player started that explorer has been hanging up. The files on the PC are .avi and .mpg

~~~

And oldtimer? it was sarcasm. Unwarranted, maybe - as you were trying to help. Suggesting "tough bananas" and take it to the repair shop, however - that isn't a great help.

The problem is not solved as I type this.

[fritzi93]

I'd advise you to delete those two broken codecs. Then uninstall and re-install AV-DVD-Player-Morpher. Latest version here:

http://www.download.com/AV-DVD-Playe...-10458046.html

Then reboot and see if that helped. I confess I don't see the benefit of having that, but best not to screw around too much with your setup.

Normally, most folks don't need too much more than an MPEG2 codec, XviD, maybe Real Alternative and Quicktime Alternative, and a few others. All formats can be played with Media Player Classic or Videolan. Even simpler would be to have only ffdShow and MPC/VLC. The more codecs one has, the more potential for conflicts. It can get to the point where it's easier to do a format/re-install.

Nevertheless, it can be difficult to pin down problems like that. Your computer may have other problems as well, of course. Anyway, see if that helps. Good luck.

[Inno]

Originally Posted by oldtimer

Quote :
winamp has started to close down and freeze when I try to watch videos on that.
================================================== ===
I suggested removeing Winamp associations.I did before it worked as my
attachment shows.

WInamp is a minor part of the problem - the thread isn't called problems with winamp - winamp not working is, in my opinion, a symptom of the problem, not the cause. It's WMP that is causing my system to shut down IE, Windows Explorer, Mozilla & Opera, not Winamp. I was listing winamp not working to try and include as much detail as I possibly could so that smarter people than me could possibly help me.

Originally Posted by oldtimer

Now you say you didn't say that.

Can you show me where I say that I didn't say that? This my be petty, but I'm 100% sure I never said anything of the sort.

Originally Posted by oldtimer

Are you really sure it has no associations.

Winamp has no video associations, only audio ones as my WMP isn't working to play audio files anymore. Not only is WMP not working, but it's not even opening.

Originally Posted by oldtimer

Mine didn't work till i removed winamps.

I may not know much, but I know how file associations work. I can positevly, 100% assure you that's not the problem. I am quite willing to totally uninstall winamp to prove the point if necessary, anything to get WIndowsMediaPlayer working again. I'm not a huge fan of it, but Internet Explorer and several webpages seem to be.

Originally Posted by oldtimer

As far as avi amd mpg,theres many more and better players.You might have the divx version of avi.

I know there are, as I said above, I'm not a fan, but I'd like it to work and not freeze my system everytime something goes looking for it.

Originally Posted by oldtimer

So reread how you don't answer ?'s asked.Or do whats suggested.

I have done everything suggested, both here and on several other sites including microsfot knowledgebase. I've spent the best part of a week following advice to try and solve this problem. You though are the first person that seems to have been a little snooty about it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Originally Posted by fritzi93

I'd advise you to delete those two broken codecs. Then uninstall and re-install AV-DVD-Player-Morpher. Latest version here:

http://www.download.com/AV-DVD-Playe...-10458046.html

Then reboot and see if that helped. I confess I don't see the benefit of having that, but best not to screw around too much with your setup.

I don't even know what AV-DVD-Player-Morpher is! I've never even heard of it, and it's not on my add/remove section of control panel, nor any entry for it in the program files folder. Should I still install that version you've linked to?

And thank you for your help. It's easier to have someone advise you than be talked down to, as other people seem to be doing.

[Inno]

Originally Posted by oldtimer

Does Device manager (sysdm) list video codecs abd working properly ?

What is this and how do I check it?

UPdate: Booting up this morning shows that I seem to have lost the theme of Windows, it's reverted to normal and any attempt to change it resets the system.

I'm getting the feeling that this system may be knackered.

[fritzi93]

Hmm, the two broken filters were listed as being in your Program Files under AV DVD Morpher. But you can't find it to uninstall? Curiouser and curiouser. No, I wouldn't advise having that.

A few questions:

1) Can you remember installing anything prior to the problems beginning?
2) Do you have any codec packs installed?
3) Tried re-installing WMP in Control Panel -> Add/Remove Programs?
4) How many software players do you have on your computer, anyway?

[Inno]

1. I don't remember installing anything that would have affected the system so badly; I think the last installation I did was about 2 weeks before the trouble started and it was a piece of software for my mobile phone.
2. No, none that I've installed myself anyway.
3. Yes, 2 or 3 times. No joy.
4. WMP was installed when I bought the machine, I added WinAmp, VLC, iTunes and RealPlayer myself.

[fritzi93]

Originally Posted by Inno

I'm getting the feeling that this system may be knackered.

If so, someone else will be better able than me to give system advice. Have you run system file checker and removed the broken codecs?