Vista - Windows media (vista) direct links not working

Vista Ultimate Windows media.
When i click on a link like this
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Link...51&clcid=0x409

First I get an not existing error and after a second click, IE keeps
searching but kinda not find the file.
I CAN download the link and play it thru WMP, but CAN NOT click directly on
it and play it (opening WMP)
I can play links within IE (wmp), but cannot play links that start WMP.

For example i can see and play this file:
http://www.mediacollege.com/video/fo...dia/streaming/

Why?

Yes, I have WMP as principal media player( and have no other player installed)

If you go to the Default Programs control panel and use the Set Program
Access and Defaults settings to set WMP as default, does that fix this up?

This sounds like another application has registered into the WMV association
chain and is causing that to fail.

--
Speaking for myself only.
See http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html for some helpful WMP info.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
--

"Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news23BE680-E6AB-4930-927F-AF3E9954A4DE@microsoft.com...
> Vista Ultimate Windows media.
> When i click on a link like this
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Link...51&clcid=0x409
>
> First I get an not existing error and after a second click, IE keeps
> searching but kinda not find the file.
> I CAN download the link and play it thru WMP, but CAN NOT click directly
> on
> it and play it (opening WMP)
> I can play links within IE (wmp), but cannot play links that start WMP.
>
> For example i can see and play this file:
> http://www.mediacollege.com/video/fo...dia/streaming/
>
> Why?
>
> Yes, I have WMP as principal media player( and have no other player
> installed)