Vista - Windows Media Player won't play files

Just recently it started having problems. It won't play any type of video
file, when I go to play a video it will say "Windows Media Player encountered
a problem while playing the file. For additional assistance, click Web Help.

Ok so I click web help and it takes me to this page

https://www.microsoft.com/windows/wi...nalid=80004005

My audio drivers are up to date and everything is working fine I don't
understand what could be causing this.

Do these video files play on other video players?

Do you suspect that OS files have been damaged recently? Is System Restore
an option?

As a workaround (until you can get WMP working to your liking) try GOM video
player.
http://www.gomlab.com/eng/

--
oscar

....Right click is your best friend...


"UnSTaBLE" wrote:

Yeah they work on other players I just like to watch videos on WMP. I don't
think any OS files have been damaged but I suppose I could try a restore.

"oscar" wrote:

Maybe, look in WMP Tools > Options and see if any Performance parameters are
way out of whack. (A long shot)

Since I don't know what shape your OS is in or what's been done to it, I
thought I'd share this that I got from MS:

Windows Media Player interacts with many system components, including
hardware drivers, audio and video codecs, and DirectShow filters. It is
possible that the Player is encountering problems because of a faulty or
incompatible component from a software provider other than Microsoft.
In particular, we recommend that you use caution when installing codecs that
aren't listed on WMPlugins.com or Microsoft.com, such as some of the free
codec packs available on the Internet that claim to include codecs from a
wide variety of companies or organizations. Incompatibilities are known to
exist with some of the components in these codec packs that can cause serious
playback issues in Windows Media Player and other multimedia programs, lead
to system corruption, and make it difficult for Microsoft Support to diagnose
and troubleshoot playback issues.
For these reasons, we strongly discourage you from installing these types of
codec packs, and recommend that you remove them if you have installed them
and you are having problems with the Player. We recommend that you only
install codecs, filters, or plug-ins from trusted, authorized sources, such
as the website of the official supplier. Even then, we recommend that you use
caution, because many codec suppliers offer minimal customer support.
We also recommend that you set a system restore point before installing any
digital media components. This enables you to return to your original system
configuration, if necessary. For more information about setting restore
points, see What is System Restore?

Whew...

Anyways, good luck. And consider GOM in the meantime. It's quite safe to use.

--
oscar

....Right click is your best friend...


"UnSTaBLE" wrote:

Yeah but nothing has changed the OS is in the same shape as the day I bought
it. I was going to do a restore but it wasn't on :/ and I haven't added any
codec. I think my only option now to get WMP working is to run a OS fix with
the manufacturer disk since WMP is integrated with Vista.

"oscar" wrote: