Dreamscene MPEG4 causes "desktop" problem

[Rod]

Hi

running Vista Ultiamte...3gb RAM and graphics card running 256MB dedicated
memory.

I have installed Ultimate Extras. But whenever I try and 'use' a Dreamscene
MPEG4 as my desktop, it runs fine for a while ( a minute or so) then my
desktop goes a solid black color and I get "Dreamscene has caused a system
error" dialog box. If I use a .WMV (Windows Movie File?) in the list of
dreamscene content, it runs fine...all the time.

I cant find how to uninstall any dreamscene content in order to re-install
it...a solution someone else posted here. But Add/Remove programs does not
list dreamscene content, and when I look at the list of downloaded updates,
I can see the dreamscene content, but no delete or uninstall option.

Any thoughts please?

Rod

 

[Rod]

No-one?????

 

[Nonny]

No-one?????

It's only been about six hours. You think everyone is gonna stop what
they're doing and rush to your beck and call???

BE PATIENT.

 

[Rod]

Sorry...normally answers on here are pretty quick....sorry if I upset you.
And, it was 18hrs since I posted first.

Rod

 

[zachd [MSFT]]

Why would reinstalling DreamScene help?

What MPEG4 codec are you trying to use? As noted, DreamScene does not
support MPEG4 by default, so if you're plugging in some bad MPEG4 codec,
that might be the source of your error. =\

 

[Rod]

Trying to use the Windows Dreamscene Content under Personalise/Change
Desktop Display/Windows Dreamscene Content

I thought these were MPEG4's ???? But they are listed simply as MPEGs... and
they STILL cause my system to revert to a solid black desktop display after
a few seconds of functioing ok...so, they are the Dreamscene MPEGs as
downloaded as an Ultimate Extras. The Windows Movies play perfectly ok...

Rgds
Rod

 

[zachd [MSFT]]

What's the filename for a file that doesn't work?

Do these files play back correctly in Windows Media Player?

 

[Rod]

Hi

These are files found when I right click on Desktop then go thru
Personalise / Desktop Background / Windows Dreamscene Content.

There are about 11 MPEGS and 3 WMVs there. All MPEGS cause a solid black
screen, all WMVs play as a movie'd desktop.

I can't locate theme any other way, so cant see if WMP plays them, and when
I do find them using method as above I cant right click on them to see their
Properties.

I apologise for being thick on this, I am normally a bit better at my own
troubleshooting. And for seemingly random responses to your very valid
questions. I am in Australia and when you're awake, I am probably asleep!!

Rgds
Rod

 

[Rod]

OOppss...found them. Under

C:\Windows\Web\Windows DreamScene...

an example name is vid1337.mpg....

and yes they play fine in WMP.

But they obviously "loop", so I am thinking that when the video is "supposed
to start again as the desktop image" it somehow freezes/crashes???

Yet the WMV files do...

Rgds
Rod

 

[zachd [MSFT]]

If you turn on Repeat in the player, do they work there?

 

[Rod]

Yes, they give a brief 'stutter', then start again.

 

[zachd [MSFT]]

Are you getting any crash events for that ""system error"" in the Problem
Reports and Solutions Center log?

What's the exact text of the error message that you get when it reports an
error from DreamScene?

 

[SpeakerGeek]

Dreamscene simply is buggy. I'm sure an update will eventually fix it. I am
having this problem, as well, and I think it has something to do with the
display driver, and a problem there that can't be fixed through settings. To
uninstall DreamScene, go to :
1. Programs and Features
2. Click on "Turn Windows features on or off" on the left side of the window.
3. Scroll down to "Windows Ultimate Extras"
4. Click the "+" to the left.
5. Remove the checkmark from DreamScene.

This will remove DreamScene, if this is what you would like to do.
I hope this helps.