Windows Vista. All of a sudden Windows Media Player cannot open wmv files sent via emails. Used to open and play these files all the time. Please help

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• Wednesday, November 04, 2009 6:26 PMSpiritX

   
  

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  Hi,
  
  Reboot
  
  Then Right Click Taskbar - Task Manager - Processes tab -  make sure wmplayer.exe is not running - if it is
  then END PROCESS on it (let me know so we can fix that if needed).
  
  Then do these to clear corruption and repair/replace damaged/missing system files.
  
  Run DiskCleanup - Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Cleanup
  
  Start - type in Search box -  COMMAND   find at top of list -  RIGHT CLICK  -  RUN AS ADMIN
  
  sfc /scannow
  
  How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program
  generates in Windows Vista cbs.log
  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228
  
  
  Then run checkdisk - schedule it to run at next start and then Apply OK your way out then restart.
  
  How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista
  http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html
  
  ---------------------------------------------
  
  After the above :
  
  Start - Default Programs - Set your default programs - reset IE, WMP, and your email programs to their
  default associations (also accessible from Control Panel).
  
  How to Set Default Associations For a Program in Vista
  http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/83196-default-programs-program-default-associations.html
  
  You may need Codec :
  
  
  CCCP - Free - also get the free insurgent tool
  http://cccp-project.net/
  http://www.freewaregenius.com/2007/02/09/cccp-codec-pack/
  
  
  FFDSHOW - Free
  http://sourceforge.net/projects/ffdshow/
  
  Check here :
  
  Plug-ins for Windows Media Player
  http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/plugins.aspx
  
  ---------------------------------------
  
  VLC needs no Codec usually so use it as a backup, when it asks to take over file associations just say no.
  
  VLC - Free
  http://www.videolan.org/vlc/
  
  Hope this helps.
  

  ---

  Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

  • Proposed As Answer bySpiritX Wednesday, November 04, 2009 6:26 PM
  • Marked As Answer byChris.H - Support EngineerMSFT, ModeratorFriday, November 20, 2009 5:43 PM
  • Unmarked As Answer byChris.H - Support EngineerMSFT, ModeratorFriday, November 20, 2009 5:43 PM
  • Unproposed As Answer byChris.H - Support EngineerMSFT, ModeratorFriday, November 20, 2009 5:43 PM
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• Thursday, November 05, 2009 9:10 PMNancy Ruth

   
  

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  Hi There,
  
  As directed, I did a disk cleanup.  Then scheduled and ran a Check Disk at startup in Vista.
  I next set the default programs as directed.
  
  Unfortunately, nothing has helped to allow me to watch wmv files received as email attachments.
  
  Am about to give up.
  
  Any other ideas????
  
  Thanks for your help.
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• Friday, November 06, 2009 2:08 AMSpiritX

   
  

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  Hi,
  
  Maybe the WMV are not accociated with WMP.
  
  Restore Default Vista File Extension Type Associations - set WMV to Windows Media Player
  http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/233243-default-file-type-associations-restore.html
  
  How to Set Default Associations For a Program in Vista - make sure IE and WMP have all their associations
  http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/83196-default-programs-program-default-associations.html
  
  How to Associate a File Extension Type With a Program in Vista
  http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/69758-default-programs.html
  
  How to Show and Change a File Name Extension in Vista
  http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/103171-file-name-extension.html
  
  How to Unassociate a File Extension Type in Vista and a utility to help
  http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91920-unassociate-file-extention-type.html
  
  You can try saving the attachments to a folder then go there and run the file.
  
  Hope this helps.
  

  ---

  Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

  • Marked As Answer byChris.H - Support EngineerMSFT, ModeratorFriday, November 20, 2009 5:43 PM
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• Friday, November 06, 2009 3:13 AMNancy Ruth

   
  

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  Thank you for all your advice.
  
  For some reason.......things now seem to be working.  New emails with wmv files are opening in Media Player correctly
  The was able to download the old ones and view them when downloaded.
  Seems like the first fix did work.
  
  Really appreciated your help.
  
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• Friday, November 06, 2009 6:23 AMSpiritX

   
  

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  Hi,
  
  Glad to be of help.
  

  ---

  Rob - Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.
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