Vista - VLC - Videolan Player Launch problem Fix

**filegrrrl** · 12-31-2008

VLC - VideoLan Player Launch problem Fix:
---------------------------------------

Looked high & low for over a month for an answer to why the VLC media player suddenly would not launch after several months of no problems. Maybe this can help someone else. Might be old hat for veterans, I realize - but not for us non-tech experts.

I still do not know what happened [some random software program update I could not locate??]. None of the first gazillion solutions located worked. But what did work for me in the end was an answer found in a totally unrelated forum - and feels like I searched them all. Here it is [edited to add that I did all of the following after reinstalling the VLC software again]:

VLC Player: right click it, go to properties, and toggle with the Compatibility mode.

I did this and found the OS choice that was the most recent one available which existed before the OS I use now and chose that option [Windows 98/Windows Me].

All of my anti virus/trojan/spyware programs were alerted - I chose to 'ok' all of the requests to allow the changes and then was able to play media files I hadn't been able to use in ages. Plus some new ones.

Now this worked even though the current version I have of the player [0.9.8a] is not supposed to be compatible with those particular older OS's in the group I chose.

Using: Windows Vista Home Premium x32

So this is what I'm doing for now and. otherwise all videos & music are playing perfectly.

If anyone has anything to contribute here please do post.

~~~~~

**Airbot** · 12-31-2008

You should have the option for Win XP compatibility mode. I would use that instead of win98/ME.

**mansrm81** · 12-31-2008

Never had a problem with VLC.

**filegrrrl** · 12-31-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by Airbot

You should have the option for Win XP compatibility mode. I would use that instead of win98/ME.

Thanks!

Never had XP - and forgot the order of the OS releases, I imagine. Tried your suggestion and it's working. Thanks for responding~~

**filegrrrl** · 12-31-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by mansrm81

Never had a problem with VLC.

Hi There~

I know, right? I never had a problem with it before either. Then one day it just would not launch - via the front door and also not by any back door methods either. But apparently there are a lot of people posting all over the place for help with the same or similar issues. Just glad to find a way to use it again~~

Happy New Year----

**Airbot** · 12-31-2008

You're welcome. You might try a repair install if it gives you the option in Program and Features in the control panel.

12-31-2008	#1 (permalink)
filegrrrl Vista Home Premium 32bit 21 posts	VLC - Videolan Player Launch problem Fix VLC - VideoLan Player Launch problem Fix: --------------------------------------- Looked high & low for over a month for an answer to why the VLC media player suddenly would not launch after several months of no problems. Maybe this can help someone else. Might be old hat for veterans, I realize - but not for us non-tech experts. I still do not know what happened [some random software program update I could not locate??]. None of the first gazillion solutions located worked. But what did work for me in the end was an answer found in a totally unrelated forum - and feels like I searched them all. Here it is [edited to add that I did all of the following after reinstalling the VLC software again]: VLC Player: right click it, go to properties, and toggle with the Compatibility mode. I did this and found the OS choice that was the most recent one available which existed before the OS I use now and chose that option [Windows 98/Windows Me]. All of my anti virus/trojan/spyware programs were alerted - I chose to 'ok' all of the requests to allow the changes and then was able to play media files I hadn't been able to use in ages. Plus some new ones. Now this worked even though the current version I have of the player [0.9.8a] is not supposed to be compatible with those particular older OS's in the group I chose. Using: Windows Vista Home Premium x32 So this is what I'm doing for now and. otherwise all videos & music are playing perfectly. If anyone has anything to contribute here please do post. ~~~~~ Last edited by filegrrrl; 12-31-2008 at 01:46 AM..
My System Specs

12-31-2008	#2 (permalink)
Airbot Vista Ultimate SP2 x64 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 TECHNET 1,661 posts	Re: VLC - Videolan Player Launch problem Fix You should have the option for Win XP compatibility mode. I would use that instead of win98/ME.
My System Specs

12-31-2008	#3 (permalink)
mansrm81 Vista Ultimate 64bit SP2/ 1,863 posts	Re: VLC - Videolan Player Launch problem Fix Never had a problem with VLC.
My System Specs

12-31-2008	#4 (permalink)
filegrrrl Vista Home Premium 32bit 21 posts	Re: VLC - Videolan Player Launch problem Fix Quote: Originally Posted by Airbot You should have the option for Win XP compatibility mode. I would use that instead of win98/ME. Thanks! Never had XP - and forgot the order of the OS releases, I imagine. Tried your suggestion and it's working. Thanks for responding~~
My System Specs

12-31-2008	#5 (permalink)
filegrrrl Vista Home Premium 32bit 21 posts	Re: VLC - Videolan Player Launch problem Fix Quote: Originally Posted by mansrm81 Never had a problem with VLC. Hi There~ I know, right? I never had a problem with it before either. Then one day it just would not launch - via the front door and also not by any back door methods either. But apparently there are a lot of people posting all over the place for help with the same or similar issues. Just glad to find a way to use it again~~ Happy New Year----
My System Specs

12-31-2008	#6 (permalink)
Airbot Vista Ultimate SP2 x64 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 TECHNET 1,661 posts	Re: VLC - Videolan Player Launch problem Fix You're welcome. You might try a repair install if it gives you the option in Program and Features in the control panel.
My System Specs

Similar Threads
Thread	Forum
VideoLan	Vista music pictures video
Windows Media Player crashes on launch	Media Center
Media Player 11 Crashes on launch	Vista General
Media Player 11 won't launch in Vista	Vista General
Vista will not launch Media Player 11 that came with it	Vista General