Anyone having problems playing video files using windows media player 11 for vista? Could a recent giveaway messed it up? If I create a new user account, WMP 11 works fine.
Any ideas how I can fix this?
Problems Playing Video Files Using WMP 11
(2 posts) (2 voices)-
watcher13
MemberAcquizeta, sorry I didn't see this till now. I believe I know what your problem is, but I don't have a real eloquent solution. The problem you're running into is really the h_ll of Vista. Vista's biggest problem, repair wise, is that some of it's security protocols - usually what are called Access Control Lists - get damaged, and there a b**ch to fix. And when that happens, programs fail to work right. Don't panic, yet, you may not have any damage, but, if it works in one account and not in the other, it's a security related issue. Yes, it's theoretically possible for a GOTD to mess this up. I've heard, for example, that Vista can refuse to open certain codecs that WMP calls on, but which reside outside of WMP, because they trigger the security features and cause WMP to fail. This is especially likely to be the culprit if it happens only on certain types of videos. Especially if they used to play correctly.
First, it helps to know if the two accounts are the same, security wise. If the old account is the standard limited Vista user account, and your new account has higher privileges - like administrator - then that would point to a GOTD, rather than security file damage.
Try running WMP in the old account as Administrator. If that fixes it, that might mean that a codec is having it's security privileges denied. If that works, you can set WMP to work all the time that way, by right clicking on the WMP menu item, then going Properties - Shortcut (tab) - Advanced. But if WMP won't work under any circumstances in the old account, then a security file is likely damaged, especially if the two accounts have the same privileges.
If that's the case, or you can't narrow it down with tests, your only real solutions are:
Try uninstalling any GOTDs you suspect and/or also doing a system restore to a time before you had problems, if you still have that restore point. Of course, you may lose other software that way.
Bag the old account and migrate everything into your new one, altough I actually believe in Vista's new security protocols - they're fine when their not damaged (!) - so I'd recommend a new user privileges account, not one with admin. privileges.
Find some way to reinstall WMP11. It's embedded in Vista, so Microsoft doesn't provide you with a download. (They did the same thing with IE7. That's one of the worst things with M$. They think they know what you need better than you do.) I've read that XP versions will work fine, but you are taking a slight chance.
Good luck. Maybe somebody here can come up with a better solution. Let us know how you make out!
One more note: to be honest, most of the media software offered on GOTD really isn't worth it. Don't install until you see a comment from Fubar or mike (little m). Those two are consistent about analyzing the installs to see if they're installing out of date files or backwriting settings. If they say it's poorly coded, I'd stay away from it. mike's especially expert on media software.
Also, if you come to suspect file damage, you could try running chkdsk and/or System File Checker. I doubt SFC would help with damaged security files, but it might be worth a try.
Posted 14 years ago #
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