Vista Tutorial - Media Player Malfunctioning

**dmex** · 05-23-2008

Hi Tron,

If you want to use the 64bit WMP you need to open it from the \Program Files\ directory, not the \...X86\ folder.

Steven

**ken4zen** · 08-05-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by Tron1973

Here's a trip for you.

I'm running Vista Home Premium 64-bit and everything was running well. I upgraded my processor from an AMD X2 5000 to a Phenom 9850. Now, any time I try to start Windows Media Player, It loads, I see the library for a second before it hazes over and I get the "Windows Media Player has quit working" window. It happens any time I try to start WMP and sometimes just when I boot my computer and suddenly I get the "WMP has quit working" without even starting it. I can't even use Windows Media Center without it locking up.

I ran that SFC. It reported that some files were corrupt and created a log, but when I try to view the log I get the "You don't have permission to view this" window. Yes, I verified that I am running as an administrator.

I tried loading the 64 bit Codec, but I'm beginning to wonder. I read above where you speak of 64 bit WMP and 32 bit WMP, I don't see a WMP (64 bit) like I see Internet Explorer (64 bit). Does that mean I'm only running WMP 32 bit?

Also, Any attempt to download and re-install WMP will not run. I keep getting the "Your version is newer than what you are trying to install" warning and then it quits.

Am I doomed to re-install Vista (repair)?

For what its worth, I also have been having the exact same problem, and have been scouring forums looking for an answer. In my case, I upgraded from an AMD dual core Athlon 64 4200+ chip to a AMD dual core Athlon 6000+ chip. The error message I get says "Windows Media Player has stopped working." The error message pops up a couple seconds into a media file being opened. The exception is that it will play previews with no problem. I'm annoyed to admit that I'm happy to find someone else with the same problem. Now if only there was an answer. :-)

**johngalt** · 08-05-2008

ken, not sure if you tried running the SFC /SCANNOW as the OP did, but if you have not you should - it sounds like something has gotten corrupted.

Also, if you are running *any* codec packages other than the Vista Codec package, remove them *all* and install only the Vista Codec package.

Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs

**ken4zen** · 08-07-2008

Thanks, John for the reply. I'll write back so every one knows how it went. I just have to find a spot of time when I can stop everything else. :-)
Ken

**johngalt** · 08-07-2008

Don't we all :P

**DoctorA** · 08-07-2008

John-I tried to download and install the Vista Codec Pack and during install I got pop up that stated to verify I had access to particular registry key. I used regedit and went to that key and R clicked and showed I had permission. I am not able to install this for that reason. Any ideas why this is popping up? I am logged in as administrator also.
Thanks,
Bob

**ken4zen** · 08-08-2008

Ok everyone, I tried the sfc /scannow and reinstalling the codecs, and there's been a partial improvement. I can now play different media on my computer, seemingly without difficulty. However, I am still left with my first problem unfortunately, which is that I can't seem to play or download streamed media (did I forget to mention that part? :-)) So I am much closer to Nirvana, than I was. Thanks again for your help, John. (Now if only I could get streamed content to play or even save I'd be xstatic. Ken

**johngalt** · 08-10-2008

Can you be more specific? Is it any type of streaming media, or just particular ones, like QT? If so, then the same page with Vista Codec Package also has a QT for CVP 'plugin' which installs a Quicktime 'lite' package to allow for streaming (not Quicktime Alternative, mind you, just a lite version of QuickTime).

If this occurs with all media, then can you detail the different browsers you have tried? Perhaps, if it is IE, it just needs an IE reset performed as per our tutorials....

Also, glad you liked the VCP package. I tried a coupe of others in the past on Vista, but this is the only one that I could get to run stable and it helps that it is *made for Vista*.

**ken4zen** · 08-21-2008

OK, so I found out what the problem was apparently the whole time. I saw on another forum a solution for the error that I got once right before I started getting the "Windows media player has stopped..." message. (That first message was "DIGITAL Cable device registration application. stopped working and was closed"
.)

The solution for that problem was to remove all the files found at the program data\microsoft\windows\drm folder. Just select all the files and cut and paste them to the recycle bin. And this problem came about because of my processor upgrade, can you imagine?

Unfortunately, the cause of the problem was not even remotely related to the problem it created, and after reading possibly hundreds of forums from other frustrated users trying to restore functionality to their systems, I feel Vista falls short of Microsofts earlier standards for logical diagnosis and repair.

**johngalt** · 08-21-2008

Hmmm - but in retrospect it makes perfect sense - when you upgraded your processor, it either *did* or did not change your license files accordingly - and then your problems started coming in one by one.

This is a very important find, thanks for the report, ken.

05-23-2008	#11 (permalink)
dmex ɠɛɐǨ Join Date: May 2007 Windows Vista™ Ultimate 2,631 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning Hi Tron, If you want to use the 64bit WMP you need to open it from the \Program Files\ directory, not the \...X86\ folder. Steven
My System Specs

08-05-2008	#12 (permalink)
ken4zen Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Vista Ultimate 64bit 4 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning Quote: Originally Posted by Tron1973 Here's a trip for you. I'm running Vista Home Premium 64-bit and everything was running well. I upgraded my processor from an AMD X2 5000 to a Phenom 9850. Now, any time I try to start Windows Media Player, It loads, I see the library for a second before it hazes over and I get the "Windows Media Player has quit working" window. It happens any time I try to start WMP and sometimes just when I boot my computer and suddenly I get the "WMP has quit working" without even starting it. I can't even use Windows Media Center without it locking up. I ran that SFC. It reported that some files were corrupt and created a log, but when I try to view the log I get the "You don't have permission to view this" window. Yes, I verified that I am running as an administrator. I tried loading the 64 bit Codec, but I'm beginning to wonder. I read above where you speak of 64 bit WMP and 32 bit WMP, I don't see a WMP (64 bit) like I see Internet Explorer (64 bit). Does that mean I'm only running WMP 32 bit? Also, Any attempt to download and re-install WMP will not run. I keep getting the "Your version is newer than what you are trying to install" warning and then it quits. Am I doomed to re-install Vista (repair)? For what its worth, I also have been having the exact same problem, and have been scouring forums looking for an answer. In my case, I upgraded from an AMD dual core Athlon 64 4200+ chip to a AMD dual core Athlon 6000+ chip. The error message I get says "Windows Media Player has stopped working." The error message pops up a couple seconds into a media file being opened. The exception is that it will play previews with no problem. I'm annoyed to admit that I'm happy to find someone else with the same problem. Now if only there was an answer. :-)
My System Specs

08-05-2008	#13 (permalink)
johngalt Antidisestablishmentarian Join Date: May 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 MAK, OpenSolaris 5, Gentoo 2008.1.... 3,848 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning ken, not sure if you tried running the SFC /SCANNOW as the OP did, but if you have not you should - it sounds like something has gotten corrupted. Also, if you are running any codec packages other than the Vista Codec package, remove them all and install only the Vista Codec package. Vista Codec Pack - 32bit & 64bit Media Player Codecs
My System Specs

08-07-2008	#14 (permalink)
ken4zen Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Vista Ultimate 64bit 4 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning Thanks, John for the reply. I'll write back so every one knows how it went. I just have to find a spot of time when I can stop everything else. :-) Ken
My System Specs

08-07-2008	#15 (permalink)
johngalt Antidisestablishmentarian Join Date: May 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 MAK, OpenSolaris 5, Gentoo 2008.1.... 3,848 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning Don't we all :P
My System Specs

08-07-2008	#16 (permalink)
DoctorA Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Vista Home Premium 32bit 21 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning John-I tried to download and install the Vista Codec Pack and during install I got pop up that stated to verify I had access to particular registry key. I used regedit and went to that key and R clicked and showed I had permission. I am not able to install this for that reason. Any ideas why this is popping up? I am logged in as administrator also. Thanks, Bob
My System Specs

08-08-2008	#17 (permalink)
ken4zen Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Vista Ultimate 64bit 4 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning Ok everyone, I tried the sfc /scannow and reinstalling the codecs, and there's been a partial improvement. I can now play different media on my computer, seemingly without difficulty. However, I am still left with my first problem unfortunately, which is that I can't seem to play or download streamed media (did I forget to mention that part? :-)) So I am much closer to Nirvana, than I was. Thanks again for your help, John. (Now if only I could get streamed content to play or even save I'd be xstatic. Ken Last edited by ken4zen; 08-10-2008 at 08:17 PM.. Reason: Readability
My System Specs

08-10-2008	#18 (permalink)
johngalt Antidisestablishmentarian Join Date: May 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 MAK, OpenSolaris 5, Gentoo 2008.1.... 3,848 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning Can you be more specific? Is it any type of streaming media, or just particular ones, like QT? If so, then the same page with Vista Codec Package also has a QT for CVP 'plugin' which installs a Quicktime 'lite' package to allow for streaming (not Quicktime Alternative, mind you, just a lite version of QuickTime). If this occurs with all media, then can you detail the different browsers you have tried? Perhaps, if it is IE, it just needs an IE reset performed as per our tutorials.... Also, glad you liked the VCP package. I tried a coupe of others in the past on Vista, but this is the only one that I could get to run stable and it helps that it is made for Vista.
My System Specs

08-21-2008	#19 (permalink)
ken4zen Newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Vista Ultimate 64bit 4 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning OK, so I found out what the problem was apparently the whole time. I saw on another forum a solution for the error that I got once right before I started getting the "Windows media player has stopped..." message. (That first message was "DIGITAL Cable device registration application. stopped working and was closed" .) The solution for that problem was to remove all the files found at the program data\microsoft\windows\drm folder. Just select all the files and cut and paste them to the recycle bin. And this problem came about because of my processor upgrade, can you imagine? Unfortunately, the cause of the problem was not even remotely related to the problem it created, and after reading possibly hundreds of forums from other frustrated users trying to restore functionality to their systems, I feel Vista falls short of Microsofts earlier standards for logical diagnosis and repair. Last edited by ken4zen; 08-21-2008 at 09:57 AM.. Reason: typo
My System Specs

08-21-2008	#20 (permalink)
johngalt Antidisestablishmentarian Join Date: May 2008 Vista Ultimate x64 MAK, OpenSolaris 5, Gentoo 2008.1.... 3,848 posts	Re: Media Player Malfunctioning Hmmm - but in retrospect it makes perfect sense - when you upgraded your processor, it either did or did not change your license files accordingly - and then your problems started coming in one by one. This is a very important find, thanks for the report, ken.
My System Specs

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