Error when inserting sound from file

[Guest]

Am using PowerPoint XP running on XP home edition on a Sony VAIO desktop.

When I try to insert sound from a file (MP3), I sometimes receive the
message "PowerPoint couldn't insert a sound from the selected file."

I can play the sound file via Windows Media Player, and I can add some MP3s
just fine, but not others. The MP3's were all ripped using the same software
on the same machine. I've tried re-ripping the "problem MP3" from the
original CD but receive the same result in PowerPoint when trying to insert
the new MP3 file.

If I use my laptop (running Windows 2000 with PowerPoint 2000), the exact
same MP3 file will insert just fine!

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

 

[Sonia]

What is the full path on the VAIO to the MP3 that doesn't work? If it is longer
than 128 characters, that *might* explain the problem.

Also, did you rip all of the MP3's at the same time and with the same settings
in your ripping software?

 

[Guest]

The path was definitely shorter than 128 characters...

I did not rip the MP3s at the same time, and I am not sure if I used the
same settings, but generally I don't change the settings in my ripping
software (AudioGrabber ripper and Xing MP3 encoder).

 

[Sonia]

There's a handy little free program called GSpot that you can download from
http://www.headbands.com/gspot/. Open your MP3 in it and compare the displayed
attributes to that of one of the good files. Is there any difference?

Just to explain, PowerPoint doesn't play sounds and videos. It hands them off
to Windows. Windows has Registry settings that control the play. Additionally
the needed driver and codec must be installed. There is a full explanation at
http://www.soniacoleman.com/Tutorials/PowerPoint/multimedia.htm and section 3
lists the Registry settings. The media player that Windows uses is mplay32.exe.
You can test your file in it. Go to Start > Run and type mplay32.exe. Open
your MP3 and click the Play button. If it plays in mplay32.exe it should play
in PowerPoint.

 

[Guest]

Sonia,

I ran the mp3 with the mplay32.exe and it didn't work. I re-ripped it and
re-encoded it (again!) and it worked. Thank you for the information. Still
not sure why there are inconsistencies in the ripping/encoded (and why the
MP3 files work with the "Windows Media Player" program but not the
"Mplay32.exe"), but at least I have some excellent new methods for
troubleshooting next time.

Thanks again.

 

[Sonia]

Thanks so much for letting us know of your success.