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Windows Media Player - Server Execution Failed
I'm currently running Windows 7 Ultimate, 64-bit version.
Just recently started receiving this error about 2 weeks ago. The first media file I open with WMP works fine. All subsequent media files, regardless of type, hangs for about a minute and a half then pops up an error.
Nice error box with a red X stop sign and then:
C:/path to the file I tried to run/name.extension of said file
"server execution failed"
Task manager shows WMP running in background, stopping the process does not help. Restarting explorer does not help either. Full shutdown/restart just restarts the cycle. First file works, then the rest don't. No time issues either, I can launch it, play songs all day, change songs at random, etc.. If I close it, then try to restart, I get the error. Does not matter how long I wait between closing and restarting. Does not matter what file is opened.
This error is in the event log at times corresponding to my "server execution errors"
The server {ED1D0FDF-4414-470A-A56D-CFB68623FC58} did not register with DCOM within the required timeout.
Also tried:
Control Panel, Programs, Turn Windows Features On/Off and disabled WMC and WMP.
Rebooted.
Went back, re-enabled both programs.
Rebooted.
Worked for about 10 minutes, then started back with the same error.
I have also tried all of the suggestions available here: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/troubleshooting-windows-media-player-in-windows-7 with no result.
I've ran 7 since the beta was first available and had zero issues with this. I did a clean install of the retail version when it released, and had no issues until now. I have not installed anything other than Windows Updates. Computer is clean, I've ran multiple malware/spyware scans and antivirus scans.
I've also tried the system file checker (SFC), which found nothing.
It's also interesting to note, Windows Media Player Classic works flawlessly.
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Hi Gemdarwen,
Please check the Application Event Logs to check for any recent warnings or errors that occur at the time of the issue and relay the details.
To do this, please see the link below:
What information appears in event logs (Event Viewer)?
Please also relay the exact model of the Sony Handycam.
Thank you,
Mary
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
Wishful thinking sir. I don't think they read any of these. When they do actually respond to this thread, and others like it, it's just the same re-hashed material. It doesn't even look like they scroll up and even read their OWN posts. It's really quite sad. First step is to blame you and your "third party" software, next step is to tell you to reinstall. There is no troubleshooting. There is no back and forth discussion where ideas and thoughts are tossed around. They never ask for event logs (why would they need those, they don't read, and 90% of the time they don't even follow up on the thread). And lastly, and quite obviously, there is NO desire to actually help you resolve anything.
MS - You need to take a COLLABORATIVE approach to this forum. You need to LISTEN, you need to INCLUDE, and you need to show COMPASSION. Even if you don't know what the problem is, most people will be happy if you care and are trying. As is, your approach of not listening, throwing out cut & paste bs reponses with no explanation of why you're suggesting that, and then never following up, is exactly what normal business are taught to never do because it DRIVES OFF CUSTOMERS.
Hi Mary,
It's a little disappointing that Micosoft does not "appear" to be takign tis matter seriously. Many readers have indicated they have this problem, but MS does not seem to be providing any real solutions - reinstallation is not a valid option - especially since the problem appears to have started following an installation of the new operating system - Windows 7.
I'd really appreciate feedback if MS are actually looking into this problem, or are simply hoping that another re-install will resolve the issue. If the problem is in fact to do with anti virus software - asking people to disable it as the solution is not very good customer service - anit virus software is there for a reason - Microsoft previous poor efforts at providing a secure system has let many people burnt and trying to change that opinion is going to be a very long process.
Please, can't the technical team that built WMP at least ask someone to provide a dump file listing (if windows records these at all) so that they can try and trace the source of the error. If this does not exist, I'm happy to try installing something that your technicians can put together for trace the fault and provide the results back to you.
You have / know my email contact address - it's the one I use to logon to this forum.
If MS is genuine about trying to fix this problem (or get to the real root cause) I'll be waiting for an email invite.
Would appreciate your response Mary, even if it's a "thanks but no thanks" - at least that way I'll know that you are actually reading these replies.
Regards
Gemdarwen.
Dear MS,
Maybe it would be a good idea to have one of the rocket scientists who actually wrote code for WMP check into this. These are obviously not isolated incidents, and there is quite obviously something inherently wrong in the WMP code. Maybe, just maybe, they could even decipher what the EXACT cause is of the extraordinarily vague error box is from. That most likely would be the best help you could provide.
OR, you could just change all the error windows to say "We're sorry Windows has failed. Since we've built every single version on top the older version before it, starting with 3.10 code, we know that Windows must be stable and it has to be something you've done. Please format and do a clean install to fix".
That would save a lot of cut & paste work for you.
