Windows Media Player Despair

[Ihatepigeons]

Hi there, I use Windows Media player 9, with Windows ME, and IE 6. My internet connection is NTL 1 meg broadband on via USB. Firewall is Norton, and have counterspy active protection running. Checked for viruses/spyware etc.

Just recently had BIG problems accessing some streaming content via the web, eg some files/streams open up fine, others won't work at all and make Windows media Player crash. I'm not sure which filetypes are doing this or why (I'm a bit of a newbie to this techinical stuff but I have tried changing settings that I do understand around, to no effect). Re-installed Windows Media player, this allowed Yahoo Launchcast to run, but as yet still having problems with sites like MTV live. So it can't be that (?)

Tried with/without firewall and counterspy running, no difference. Used a proxy my ISP suggested, again no difference. They provide MTV live through their broadband plus service, and they say MTV live is working fine.

The error report that keeps coming up says:

App Name: wmplayer.exe
Mod Ver: 10.0.0.3646
App Ver: 9.0.0.2980
Off Set: 0000cee0
Mod Name: indivbox.key

(WHATEVER THAT MEANS! LOL )

Just wondered if anyone out there had any ideas what's going on, cos to be quite honest I'm stumped!

Cheers

[Chris W]

hmm... all i have managed to find out so far is the indivbox.key relates to the Microsoft Digital Rights Managment System... Will see if i can find more!

I just hate Windows Player period.It never seems to co-operate.I've given up using it.


Like the name by the way Ihatepigeons.I too dislike the flying vermin.

[nffc]

http://www.nwlink.com/~zachd/pss/pss.html

[Ihatepigeons]

Originally Posted by Incognitas

I just hate Windows Player period.It never seems to co-operate.I've given up using it.


Like the name by the way Ihatepigeons.I too dislike the flying vermin.

Which media player do u use? Realplayer seems to work well, but some sites won't work without using windows media player.

[Ihatepigeons]

Originally Posted by nffc

http://www.nwlink.com/~zachd/pss/pss.html

Hmm, thanks for that LOL Alot to read and not sure if I understand much on it, but I've bookmarked it for future reference. (Wish I understood all this technical info more, but I do my best!)

Cheers

[Ihatepigeons]

Well, I seem to have cracked the problem!

Here's what I did:
1) disabled Counterspy "Active Protection"
2) enabled scripts within Windows Media Player
3) deleted the MTV live skin, then re-downloaded it

The MTV live site now streams correctly. I still get the odd error message but on the whole I think my problem is more or less sorted for now

I think it MAY have been the Counterspy program that was creating the problem.

* An afterthought - if Windows Media player still plays up is there any way of checking whether the program has become corrupt? If so how would I go about correcting it? Oh, and do these so called "Registry Fixing" programs sort problems out or do they tend to make things worse? I had wondered whether to give one a try I stay well away from the registry cos I don't know alot about it.

[Paul K]

The only sure way to be sure of being able to revert to a fully operating set up would be to backup your O/S. If you know what the cause of the problem was this time then next time you will find it easier to resolve. As to registry fixers, you have to be very careful using them, most will do a very good job but some can cause more trouble than they "fix".

[Dogster]

Alternatively you could use a much better player i.e. Media Player Classic not to be confused with WMP.
It also has a Real and Quicktime alternative built in so no need for Real Player
or Quicktime to be installed.

[Anonymouse]

Originally Posted by Ihatepigeons

Oh, and do these so called "Registry Fixing" programs sort problems out or do they tend to make things worse?

As you've probably already guessed (I deduce this from your saying 'so-called'), they tend to make things worse. The safer way to deal with Registry problems, usually, is to reinstall whatever software's causing the problem, or refer to tech support. The Registry is nowhere near as easy to use - or fix - as most of these programs imply; they can be useful, but only if you know exactly what you're doing...in which case you probably wouldn't need such a program anyway.

A useful site for solving Windows problems is http://www.annoyances.org - post whatever error messages you get, state what software you're using and ask politely for help; you'll get it. Remember to post only in the site's ME forum, since that's the Windows version you're using.

[Ihatepigeons]

Originally Posted by Dogster

Alternatively you could use a much better player i.e. Media Player Classic not to be confused with WMP.
It also has a Real and Quicktime alternative built in so no need for Real Player
or Quicktime to be installed.

Thanks for that Does this Media player classic automatically stream stuff from a site who says "you need Realplayer to access the content" then? I assume that's what you mean. I'll certainly give it a try anyhow

Ruth

[Ihatepigeons]

Originally Posted by Anonymouse

As you've probably already guessed (I deduce this from your saying 'so-called'), they tend to make things worse. The safer way to deal with Registry problems, usually, is to reinstall whatever software's causing the problem, or refer to tech support. The Registry is nowhere near as easy to use - or fix - as most of these programs imply; they can be useful, but only if you know exactly what you're doing...in which case you probably wouldn't need such a program anyway.

A useful site for solving Windows problems is http://www.annoyances.org - post whatever error messages you get, state what software you're using and ask politely for help; you'll get it. Remember to post only in the site's ME forum, since that's the Windows version you're using.

I'll stay WELL away from the registry then! I must remember to create restore points more often too I guess I get a little carried away installing things and forget. I'll have a look at that site too

Cheers!

Originally Posted by Ihatepigeons

Which media player do u use? Realplayer seems to work well, but some sites won't work without using windows media player.

Well I think the problem is that so many sites use different players.I can end up with at least three including Quicktime...which also drives me up the wall.Realplayer would be fine if it wasn't so blatantly trying to sell me stuff I don't want.

[Dogster]

@Ihatepigeons
Yes, I use MPC for all my streaming needs although I did have to undo
all the file associations in WMP prefs/options, as it tries to force itself as the default player.

@Incognitas
Exactly why I use MPC, no need for 3 seperate players and I personally rate
Real Player as adware with all of its crap.