Media Player Malfunctioning

S

seekreeper

New Member
I'm using Vista Ultimate x64 (switched from 32-bit version), and it's worked pretty well. However, windows media player has been malfunctioning. Whenever I open it up, it will play for a few seconds then the window fades gray and I get an error. After I open it up again it works fine. This is just really annoying and a little disturbing. Any help on getting it fixed?
 

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seekreeper said:
I'm using Vista Ultimate x64 (switched from 32-bit version), and it's worked pretty well. However, windows media player has been malfunctioning. Whenever I open it up, it will play for a few seconds then the window fades gray and I get an error. After I open it up again it works fine. This is just really annoying and a little disturbing. Any help on getting it fixed?
Click to expand...

There is a lot than can cause this crash, as with all types of software.

Have you completed a Windows Update?
Do you have all the latest x64 drivers for your hardware? (BETA drivers shouldn't be used on a production system)
Are you using 32-Bit or 64-Bit Codecs (Vista Codec Package Homepage)
 

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I just installed x64 Vista, so I've downloaded all the latest drivers. I'm using the 64-bit vista codec package. Maybe I should try using the 32-bit version?
 

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seekreeper said:
I just installed x64 Vista, so I've downloaded all the latest drivers. I'm using the 64-bit vista codec package. Maybe I should try using the 32-bit version?
Click to expand...

Have you set WMP 64-Bit as the default player (as opposed to the normal 32-Bit version)?

Try this little experiment, if possible. Take one of the media files that produces this error to another Vista PC and see what happens there. If you get a crash, then the media is corrupt.

Have you done a Windows Update yet?
 

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I have run Windows Update, and its not just a few files that cause the crash, any media causes it.

Also, I am running the 64 bit version of WMP. The error will come up even in 32 bit version.
 

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seekreeper said:
I have run Windows Update, and its not just a few files that cause the crash, any media causes it.

Also, I am running the 64 bit version of WMP. The error will come up even in 32 bit version.
Click to expand...

Open a Command Promt as an administrator (Start->All Programs->Accessories->Right Click "Command Prompt", Select "Run As Administrator".

In the command window, type SFC /scannow to run System File Checker. That may repair the problem. If the problem persists, then boot from your Vista DVD and perform a Repair Install.

Have you checked your Audio and Display drivers yet?
 

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    AMD Phenom 9600 Quad
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    2 x A-Data 2GB DDR2-800
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ATI Radeon HD 2400PRO
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAHARA 21"
    Screen Resolution
    1600x1200
    Hard Drives
    2 x 80GB Seagate (I)
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    Tai-Chi Water Cooler
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    Genius
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    384kbps
    Other Info
    Currently dual booting between Vista x64 Ultimate Windows 7 BETA x64
Sorry it took so long to reply. I ran the SFC command like you advised, and it said there was nothing wrong. Its just as well though, WMP stopped acting up, but now IE 7.0 is doing the same thing as WMP. Its usually when I open a new tab.
 

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I've tried it all myself. :cry: How would one do a Repair Install? I sure do't want to re-install the entire OS...just WMP x86 & 64.


In the command window, type SFC /scannow to run System File Checker. That may repair the problem. If the problem persists, then boot from your Vista DVD and perform a Repair Install.
 

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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)?
 

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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
 

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Tron1973 said:
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)?
Click to expand...
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. :-)
 

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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
 

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Don't we all :P
 

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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
 

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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:

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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*.
 

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    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
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    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
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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:

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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.
 

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    The Beast Model V (homebrew)
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 965 EE @ 3.6 GHz
    Motherboard
    eVGA X58 Classified 3 (141-GT-E770-A1)
    Memory
    3 * Mushkin 998981 Redline Enhanced triple channel DDR3 4 GB CL7 DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3-12800)
    Graphics Card(s)
    eVGA GeForce GTX 970 SSC ACX 2.0 (04G-P4-3979-KB)
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD Audio (onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 * Lenovo LT2323pwA Widescreeen
    Screen Resolution
    2 * 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    SanDisk Ultra SDSSDHII-960G-G25 960 GB SATA III SSD (System)
    Crucial MX100 CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SATA III SSD (User Tree)
    2 * Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA II Mech. HD
    Seagate ST1500DL001-9VT15L Barracuda 7200.12 1.5 TB S
    PSU
    Thermaltake Black Widow TX TR2 850W 80+ Bronze Semi-Mod ATX
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    ThermalTake Level 10 GT (Black)
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    Corsair H100 (CPU, dual 140 mm fans on radiator) + Air (2 *
    Keyboard
    Logitech G15 (gen 2)
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    Logitech MX Master (shared)
    Internet Speed
    AT&T Lightspeed Gigabit duplex
  • Operating System
    Sabayon Linux (current, weekly updates, 5.1.x kernel)
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad E545
    CPU
    AMD A6-5350M APU
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Radeon HD (Embedded)
    Sound Card
    Conextant 20671 SmartAudio HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Lenovo 15" Matte
    Screen Resolution
    1680 * 1050
    Hard Drives
    INTEL Cherryvill 520 Series SSDSC2CW180A 180 GB SSD
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    Logitech MX Master (shared) | Synaptics TouchPad
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    Internet Speed
    AT&T LightSpeed Gigabit Duplex
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