Windows Media Player Clash

[Guest]

After installing PPStream my Windows Media player appears to have been
disabled. When i click on the link nothing happens. During live streams
online it also does not react. I have no problems with Winamp/DivX/itunes.
Windows media center also works fine.

I have had this problem for several months and none of the updates to Vista
have helped. Is there a way to 'reinstall' WMP. I have tried downloading WMP
updates from microsoft but they say my version is upto date.

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

The Media Player 11 available for download is for Windows XP. Windows Vistas
built in Media Player 11 is specifically developed for the OS. Again, I
would try repairing the installation to see if it corrects it or do a System
Restore before the problem started occuring.

Did you check if PPStream is compatible with Windows Vista?

 

[Charlie Tame]

The Media Player 11 available for download is for Windows XP. Windows Vistas
built in Media Player 11 is specifically developed for the OS. Again, I
would try repairing the installation to see if it corrects it or do a System
Restore before the problem started occuring.

Did you check if PPStream is compatible with Windows Vista?

It's a P2P thing I think, I don't have a Vista machine handy, could it
be a file association thing (What he mean by click on the link? The
shortcut maybe?)

If so will it work creating a new shortcut from searching for the
executable, or maybe click the executable itself to test it?

 

[Guest]

The problem is not with the shortcut link. I do not believe that the file
association is the problem either because even when i click directly on the
wmplayer.exe for MWP it just does not respond at all. I have since
uninstalled PPStream with no luck. The hole program is like ghost. The file
wmpconfig also just does not respond.

It has been several months since the problem started and so reverting is out
of the option. Is there a way to uninstall WMP or Re-install it?

 

[Charlie Tame]

Ah, thanks for the extra info but unfortunately I don't have a good
answer. I wonder if there's some way the software could have disabled
loading for WMP or whether there's some part of it that hasn't actually
uninstalled. If it is one of these things that loads a "Service" or some
kind of "Background" downloader is is possible you may have to reinstall
it, find the option "Start when Windows Starts" or whatever and turn
that off, then reboot so it's not running and then uninstall the program
again. I know that is the case with some versions of some software but
on the other hand I could be entirely wrong

Otherwise it does look as if you'll have to reinstall or somehow repair
WMP and I am not sure that can be done.

 

[Adam The-Fruit-Loop Albright]

Charlie Tame wrote:

<Good night stupid and you'll notice that I didn't call you worthless.
You made me feel bad that you ever, ever and ever thought that I thought
you were worthless. You're stupid yes, but you're not worthless. I got
your back Englishman. I am here for you. >

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

I think PPStream is just plain incompatible with Windows Vista. Try finding
an alternative solution.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all the ideas. I have been unable to identify the issue. Now i am
unsure about how to either uninstall or Reinstall Media player in Vista.
There is no oping in the 'add/remove programs' link and there is no uninstall
option. Also Microsoft does not supply a re-install option on their website.
Any ideas?

P.S. I dont have time to move to Europe and sue.

 

[zachd [MSFT]]

No, there is absolutely no uninstall or reinstall for Windows Media Player
for Vista. You would need to either reinstall Vista (if you want to
reinstall the player) or fix this in a different fashion.

I cobbled together probably everything you need to do a reinstall of Windows
Media Player for Vista, but I just put that together unofficially in my own
time a little bit ago (last night, actually), and haven't vetted it or gone
through it yet. If you're dying-desperate, you could guinea pig it, but I
can't imagine it's interesting/useful to many people.

 

[MICHAEL]

* zachd [MSFT]:

No, there is absolutely no uninstall or reinstall for Windows Media Player
for Vista. You would need to either reinstall Vista (if you want to
reinstall the player) or fix this in a different fashion.

That really is just dumb, too. Most any other software can be fixed by
simply uninstalling and reinstalling... it's a cornerstone of troubleshooting.

I cobbled together probably everything you need to do a reinstall of Windows
Media Player for Vista, but I just put that together unofficially in my own
time a little bit ago (last night, actually), and haven't vetted it or gone
through it yet. If you're dying-desperate, you could guinea pig it, but I
can't imagine it's interesting/useful to many people.

I, and I'm sure others do, appreciate your helping out here.
However, IMO, WMP 11 is crap. That may be a crude and simplistic
assessment, but it certainly fits.


-Michael

 

[zachd [MSFT]]

* zachd [MSFT]:

No, there is absolutely no uninstall or reinstall for Windows Media
Player
for Vista. You would need to either reinstall Vista (if you want to
reinstall the player) or fix this in a different fashion.

That really is just dumb, too. Most any other software can be fixed by
simply uninstalling and reinstalling... it's a cornerstone of
troubleshooting.

Talk to the architects of the Vista component system. This is not an aspect
of anything Windows Media Player has control over, sorry. File this
concern/anger under "general Vista concern/anger" or "feature request from
the new install Vista system". They're aware of the request. =)

I, and I'm sure others do, appreciate your helping out here.
However, IMO, WMP 11 is crap. That may be a crude and simplistic
assessment, but it certainly fits.

No worries - my only concern is that you're happy using whatever player
*does* bring you happiness. I'll regularly go out my way to try and help
make sure other players/multimedia components are Windows-compatible and
work better for you.

I'm a fan of Improvement. If you think WMP sucks, hopefully at the least it
drove your player vendor to improve their player that much more. If you
think iTunes or WinAMP sucks, hopefully those are the least drove other
vendors to improve their players that much more.

Everybody wins when:
* your system works
* what you want to use works
=)

 

[MICHAEL]

* zachd [MSFT]:

* zachd [MSFT]:

No, there is absolutely no uninstall or reinstall for Windows Media
Player
for Vista. You would need to either reinstall Vista (if you want to
reinstall the player) or fix this in a different fashion.

That really is just dumb, too. Most any other software can be fixed by
simply uninstalling and reinstalling... it's a cornerstone of
troubleshooting.

Talk to the architects of the Vista component system. This is not an aspect
of anything Windows Media Player has control over, sorry. File this
concern/anger under "general Vista concern/anger" or "feature request from
the new install Vista system". They're aware of the request. =)

You can add and remove many other components in Vista,
I don't understand why this decision was made... well, I do-
control over DRM.

No worries - my only concern is that you're happy using whatever player
*does* bring you happiness. I'll regularly go out my way to try and help
make sure other players/multimedia components are Windows-compatible and
work better for you.

Like I said, I'm glad you help out here, and your site is also helpful.

I'm a fan of Improvement. If you think WMP sucks, hopefully at the least it
drove your player vendor to improve their player that much more. If you
think iTunes or WinAMP sucks, hopefully those are the least drove other
vendors to improve their players that much more.

MediaMonkey is what I use for my music library.
http://www.mediamonkey.com/

Everybody wins when:
* your system works
* what you want to use works
=)

I liked WMP 10... until Microsoft took out the ability to back up
your music licenses in WMP 11. Of course, Vista came with
WMP 11. It also seems buggier and bloated.

Thanks for the discourse.

Take care,

Michael

 

[zachd [MSFT]]

* zachd [MSFT]:

Talk to the architects of the Vista component system. This is not an
aspect
of anything Windows Media Player has control over, sorry. File this
concern/anger under "general Vista concern/anger" or "feature request
from
the new install Vista system". They're aware of the request. =)

You can add and remove many other components in Vista,

Could you clarify? I'm unaware of any system components that have this
feature/functionality.

I don't understand why this decision was made... well, I do-
control over DRM.

No. DRM is boring. The Vista component system simply doesn't support what
you're trying to do. Verified with the right people.

Like I said, I cobbled together an alternative solution for a reinstall,
which will probably solve the problem at some future point if you go through
the right support channels (chunnels?). But it really isn't something the
Vista component system was designed to deal with for system components.

Like I said, I'm glad you help out here, and your site is also helpful.

Thanks, and yeah, MediaMonkey and others are fun. I know a number of DJs,
so it's always fun seeing the tools high end users play with. =)

I liked WMP 10... until Microsoft took out the ability to back up
your music licenses in WMP 11.

The feature kind of sucked given that a number of vendors didn't allow for
license back-up/restore. Then where were you?

Any good service, I think, has to allow for license reissuance. So we're on
the same page here, it's just that WMP10 deceived you, whereas WMP11 is
honest and doesn't pretend that it's able to force XXX into letting you back
up your licenses. THAT is what really sucked.

Of course, Vista came with WMP 11. It also seems buggier and bloated.

The specifics of the bugs are always interesting.

Cheers,
-Z

 

[MICHAEL]

* zachd [MSFT]:

* zachd [MSFT]:

Talk to the architects of the Vista component system. This is not an
aspect
of anything Windows Media Player has control over, sorry. File this
concern/anger under "general Vista concern/anger" or "feature request
from
the new install Vista system". They're aware of the request. =)

You can add and remove many other components in Vista,

Could you clarify? I'm unaware of any system components that have this
feature/functionality.

I was speaking of "Turn on/off Windows Features". Why is WMP 11
considered a "system component"? Sounds like BS, to me.
In Windows Server 2008, WMP 11 is not enabled by default-
you have to install it via the Server Manager>Features Summary and go to Add Features.
The code bases are the same for Vista and Server 2008 and their
kernels will match with SP1 for Vista.
Also, if it's *truly* a "system" component- what about Vista N?
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/business/n/default.mspx

No. DRM is boring. The Vista component system simply doesn't support what
you're trying to do. Verified with the right people.

It doesn't support it because Microsoft makes it that why....
they could have easily made installable and uninstallable
like Server 2008. Come on now.

Like I said, I cobbled together an alternative solution for a reinstall,
which will probably solve the problem at some future point if you go through
the right support channels (chunnels?). But it really isn't something the
Vista component system was designed to deal with for system components.

That's just BS. Again- Why is a media player considered a "system component"?

Thanks, and yeah, MediaMonkey and others are fun. I know a number of DJs,
so it's always fun seeing the tools high end users play with. =)


The feature kind of sucked given that a number of vendors didn't allow for
license back-up/restore.

MSN Music and Napster did at one time. I didn't get fukked by WMP
until I updated to WMP 11.

Then where were you?

Indeed, a major flaw of the DRM crap.

Any good service, I think, has to allow for license reissuance. So we're on
the same page here, it's just that WMP10 deceived you, whereas WMP11 is
honest and doesn't pretend that it's able to force XXX into letting you back
up your licenses. THAT is what really sucked.

I never had a problem with WMP 10.

The specifics of the bugs are always interesting.

The sidestepping/smokescreens even more so.

Cheers,
-Z

-Michael

 

[Guest]

Thanks all for your help/rants.

I was more curious than anything else. I have defaulted to WinAmp. I keep
iTunes for my Ipod but its more hassle than its worth for music.

 

[zachd [MSFT]]

If you want Server, get Server.
If you want N, get N.

In both cases you're talking about the baseline system image. In both cases
if you put WMP on the system in either fashion, it's updating that baseline
system image. By your token, what is Media Center? Why doesn't it have a
reinstall? Blah blah blah blah zzzzz I find SKU design a really boring
topic. I am admittedly a software developer, not a designer/manager. =)

That's just BS. Again- Why is a media player considered a "system
component"?

I apologize: I work alongside the compliance/legal team and I cannot have
this discussion with you. I undertook a conversation about the
reinstallation of Vista subcomponents in good faith, and it has twisted into
a discussion I am extremely unwilling and unable to engage in.

I'm done here. Peace. =)

 

[MICHAEL]

* zachd [MSFT]:

If you want Server, get Server.
If you want N, get N.

I don't want either of those.

You made it sound as if WMP was an integral part of
the "system" and that it could not be separated, therefore
an uninstall/reinstall was not feasible.

In both cases you're talking about the baseline system image. In both cases
if you put WMP on the system in either fashion, it's updating that baseline
system image. By your token, what is Media Center? Why doesn't it have a
reinstall? Blah blah blah blah zzzzz I find SKU design a really boring
topic. I am admittedly a software developer, not a designer/manager. =)

Sure, a repair install of just Media Center would be nice, too.
Why the he!l not?

This should be so easy to comprehend and easy to do,
if it were allowed. Just like in the Business edition- Games
are not installed by default, but you can install them, and
uninstall them, too.

Whatever- WMP is a dam media player, that's all the he!l it is.
A repair install of just that component would sure as fukk be a
lot less trouble than reinstalling the operating system or doing
a 1-3 hour "repair upgrade". I can't believe you are being this
dense... unless you are hiding something.

I apologize: I work alongside the compliance/legal team and I cannot have
this discussion with you. I undertook a conversation about the
reinstallation of Vista subcomponents in good faith, and it has twisted into
a discussion I am extremely unwilling and unable to engage in.

I'm not surprised, the truth always seems hard for Microsoft to admit.

I'm done here. Peace. =)

Good.... nothing gleaned from this but BS.


-Michael

 

[Charlie Tame]

* zachd [MSFT]:

If you want Server, get Server.
If you want N, get N.

I don't want either of those.

You made it sound as if WMP was an integral part of
the "system" and that it could not be separated, therefore
an uninstall/reinstall was not feasible.

In both cases you're talking about the baseline system image. In both cases
if you put WMP on the system in either fashion, it's updating that baseline
system image. By your token, what is Media Center? Why doesn't it have a
reinstall? Blah blah blah blah zzzzz I find SKU design a really boring
topic. I am admittedly a software developer, not a designer/manager. =)

Sure, a repair install of just Media Center would be nice, too.
Why the he!l not?

This should be so easy to comprehend and easy to do,
if it were allowed. Just like in the Business edition- Games
are not installed by default, but you can install them, and
uninstall them, too.

Whatever- WMP is a dam media player, that's all the he!l it is.
A repair install of just that component would sure as fukk be a
lot less trouble than reinstalling the operating system or doing
a 1-3 hour "repair upgrade". I can't believe you are being this
dense... unless you are hiding something.

I apologize: I work alongside the compliance/legal team and I cannot have
this discussion with you. I undertook a conversation about the
reinstallation of Vista subcomponents in good faith, and it has twisted into
a discussion I am extremely unwilling and unable to engage in.

I'm not surprised, the truth always seems hard for Microsoft to admit.

I'm done here. Peace. =)

Good.... nothing gleaned from this but BS.


-Michael

Well it is impossible to separate WMP from the OS now because of the DRM
requirements - maybe you can install it on the business edition but if
you do can you ever uninstall it? Do you by any chance know if that's
possible?

Can't exactly blame Zach for not risking his job, it's idiots like
Ballmer than need fired.

 

[MICHAEL]

* Charlie Tame:

* zachd [MSFT]:

If you want Server, get Server.
If you want N, get N.

I don't want either of those.

You made it sound as if WMP was an integral part of
the "system" and that it could not be separated, therefore
an uninstall/reinstall was not feasible.

In both cases you're talking about the baseline system image. In both cases
if you put WMP on the system in either fashion, it's updating that baseline
system image. By your token, what is Media Center? Why doesn't it have a
reinstall? Blah blah blah blah zzzzz I find SKU design a really boring
topic. I am admittedly a software developer, not a designer/manager. =)

Sure, a repair install of just Media Center would be nice, too.
Why the he!l not?

This should be so easy to comprehend and easy to do,
if it were allowed. Just like in the Business edition- Games
are not installed by default, but you can install them, and
uninstall them, too.

Whatever- WMP is a dam media player, that's all the he!l it is.
A repair install of just that component would sure as fukk be a
lot less trouble than reinstalling the operating system or doing
a 1-3 hour "repair upgrade". I can't believe you are being this
dense... unless you are hiding something.

That's just BS. Again- Why is a media player considered a "system
component"?
I apologize: I work alongside the compliance/legal team and I cannot have
this discussion with you. I undertook a conversation about the
reinstallation of Vista subcomponents in good faith, and it has twisted into
a discussion I am extremely unwilling and unable to engage in.

I'm not surprised, the truth always seems hard for Microsoft to admit.

I'm done here. Peace. =)

Good.... nothing gleaned from this but BS.

Well it is impossible to separate WMP from the OS now because of the DRM
requirements -

It's not impossible, that's why there's Vista Business N.

It's that way because Microsoft made it that way in Vista, and
yes, that's what I wanted Zach to admit to. I know that and you know that-
he could have just said so. When I brought up DRM, he brushed it aside
and rambled on about reasons that have nothing to do with the truth.

maybe you can install it on the business edition but if
you do can you ever uninstall it? Do you by any chance know if that's
possible?

Actually, WMP already is installed on the Business edition. I brought
up Games as a component you can add, in "Turn on/off Windows Features".
There are many features there you can check to add and then later
uncheck to remove, and they are gone. Which could serve the purpose
of a uninstall/reinstall.

Business N does not come with WMP.
However, at the link below it does state this;
"Consumers may also separately install media players, either from Microsoft or a third party."
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/business/n/default.mspx

Obviously, there will be or is a separate download of WMP 11 that
will be available for those that buy Business N and wish to install it
at some point. I have no idea if it will be uninstallable.

In Windows Server 2008, if you install "Desktop Experience"
it will install WMP. If at some point you don't want it on
Server 2008, you can remove the "Desktop Experience".
Which could also serve the purpose of a uninstall/reinstall.

My whole point- why did Microsoft make a *media player* impossible
to uninstall/reinstall on Vista? Obviously, it's not necessary to core
system functions or there would be no Vista N. Zach, really made it
sound, at first, as if WMP was an absolute necessary "*system* component"
that should/could not be removed. It is only necessary because of DRM,
and that's fine. But, I really don't understand why it has been made
impossible to do a simple uninstall/reinstall. Or, even if a user could
do a repair install of WMP (install over)- that would probably fix a lot
of problems users run into when WMP becomes corrupted. The only
option now for folks who can't get WMP to work properly in Vista,
is to reinstall the operating system.... that's just dumb.
If Office 2007 or parts of Office- huge programs- goes bonkers on me,
I can uninstall it and reinstall it. Simple. But I can not do the same
for a media player.... a *media player*. Again- that's just dumb.

Can't exactly blame Zach for not risking his job,

Okay. But, it would be refreshing to just be told the plain truth,
without all the sidestepping and misinformation.

Zach said;
"I undertook a conversation about the
reinstallation of Vista subcomponents in good faith"

The conversation was about WMP, that's all I was concerned about.
He tried to explain why reinstallation wasn't such a good idea, but none
of that had anything to do with the *real* reason why Microsoft has
made WMP uninstallable in Vista.... he was blowing smoke.
Once he felt uncomfortable, he brings out the "legal team" card
to halt all discussion. Fine... he should have never got involved
with trying to BS the reason in the first place.

it's idiots like
Ballmer than need fired.

That would be great.


-Michael

 

[Charlie Tame]

* Charlie Tame:

* zachd [MSFT]:

If you want Server, get Server.
If you want N, get N.
I don't want either of those.

You made it sound as if WMP was an integral part of
the "system" and that it could not be separated, therefore
an uninstall/reinstall was not feasible.

In both cases you're talking about the baseline system image. In both cases
if you put WMP on the system in either fashion, it's updating that baseline
system image. By your token, what is Media Center? Why doesn't it have a
reinstall? Blah blah blah blah zzzzz I find SKU design a really boring
topic. I am admittedly a software developer, not a designer/manager. =)
Sure, a repair install of just Media Center would be nice, too.
Why the he!l not?

This should be so easy to comprehend and easy to do,
if it were allowed. Just like in the Business edition- Games
are not installed by default, but you can install them, and
uninstall them, too.

Whatever- WMP is a dam media player, that's all the he!l it is.
A repair install of just that component would sure as fukk be a
lot less trouble than reinstalling the operating system or doing
a 1-3 hour "repair upgrade". I can't believe you are being this
dense... unless you are hiding something.

That's just BS. Again- Why is a media player considered a "system
component"?
I apologize: I work alongside the compliance/legal team and I cannot have
this discussion with you. I undertook a conversation about the
reinstallation of Vista subcomponents in good faith, and it has twisted into
a discussion I am extremely unwilling and unable to engage in.
I'm not surprised, the truth always seems hard for Microsoft to admit.

I'm done here. Peace. =)
Good.... nothing gleaned from this but BS.

Well it is impossible to separate WMP from the OS now because of the DRM
requirements -

It's not impossible, that's why there's Vista Business N.

It's that way because Microsoft made it that way in Vista, and
yes, that's what I wanted Zach to admit to. I know that and you know that-
he could have just said so. When I brought up DRM, he brushed it aside
and rambled on about reasons that have nothing to do with the truth.

maybe you can install it on the business edition but if
you do can you ever uninstall it? Do you by any chance know if that's
possible?

Actually, WMP already is installed on the Business edition. I brought
up Games as a component you can add, in "Turn on/off Windows Features".
There are many features there you can check to add and then later
uncheck to remove, and they are gone. Which could serve the purpose
of a uninstall/reinstall.

Business N does not come with WMP.
However, at the link below it does state this;
"Consumers may also separately install media players, either from Microsoft or a third party."
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/business/n/default.mspx

Obviously, there will be or is a separate download of WMP 11 that
will be available for those that buy Business N and wish to install it
at some point. I have no idea if it will be uninstallable.

In Windows Server 2008, if you install "Desktop Experience"
it will install WMP. If at some point you don't want it on
Server 2008, you can remove the "Desktop Experience".
Which could also serve the purpose of a uninstall/reinstall.

My whole point- why did Microsoft make a *media player* impossible
to uninstall/reinstall on Vista? Obviously, it's not necessary to core
system functions or there would be no Vista N. Zach, really made it
sound, at first, as if WMP was an absolute necessary "*system* component"
that should/could not be removed. It is only necessary because of DRM,
and that's fine. But, I really don't understand why it has been made
impossible to do a simple uninstall/reinstall. Or, even if a user could
do a repair install of WMP (install over)- that would probably fix a lot
of problems users run into when WMP becomes corrupted. The only
option now for folks who can't get WMP to work properly in Vista,
is to reinstall the operating system.... that's just dumb.
If Office 2007 or parts of Office- huge programs- goes bonkers on me,
I can uninstall it and reinstall it. Simple. But I can not do the same
for a media player.... a *media player*. Again- that's just dumb.

Can't exactly blame Zach for not risking his job,

Okay. But, it would be refreshing to just be told the plain truth,
without all the sidestepping and misinformation.

Zach said;
"I undertook a conversation about the
reinstallation of Vista subcomponents in good faith"

The conversation was about WMP, that's all I was concerned about.
He tried to explain why reinstallation wasn't such a good idea, but none
of that had anything to do with the *real* reason why Microsoft has
made WMP uninstallable in Vista.... he was blowing smoke.
Once he felt uncomfortable, he brings out the "legal team" card
to halt all discussion. Fine... he should have never got involved
with trying to BS the reason in the first place.

it's idiots like
Ballmer than need fired.

That would be great.


-Michael

Well this is the problem with many things though, you can't uninstall IE
yet many exploits come in via the IE code that's not actually being used
in an active IE session, older versions of Sun Java can be used if not
uninstalled for similar mischief, anything that can't be removed or
overwritten is a bad idea except for the kernel, and that you surely
don't want interfered with.

Don't misunderstand, there is so much smoke and mirrors lately it's
obvious there's something not quite right going on, but it's MS' choice
and if it comes back to bite them in the ass will be their problem, our
job is to make sure it does not become "Our" problem and, if we can, to
avoid it becoming a general "User" problem

I'll be perfectly happy to argue with Satan himself, so MS' lawyers,
Ballmer and Bill Gates no problem

I think it's a shot in the foot but oh well...