O look, more time has gone by and still no reply from MS about the specific issue I opened the thread about. Wish I could get paid to totally ignore people.
Windows Media Player - Intermittent error when trying to play media file-Server Execution Failed
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Anonymous
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.
Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Music, photos, and video
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131 answers
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Anonymous
2010-03-31T04:00:38+00:00 -
Anonymous
2010-03-19T23:45:37+00:00 Been travelling and haven't had a chance to update.
Still same problem. Still no Microsoft answer to the problem that started this thread. It does look like after 3 months Microsoft did bother to respond above but it doesn't appear to be anything useful for two reasons. 1) I don't have a video problem that I'm aware of. 2) It appears to be re-hash of the previous bs posts they've done without reading or directly addressing any of my initial posts. Hey MS can I get a job? I'm sure I can excel at failing to respond, ignoring people, not reading, and I'm very good at cut and paste.
Long story short, MS still has a problem they won't acknowledge or fix.
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Anonymous
2010-03-12T19:31:48+00:00 I have the same issue. Files that don't work in WMP on my desktop with Windows 7 Home 64 bit are mpg, mpeg and avi. The source of the file makes a difference though. Files from my camera don't work on this PC but have no problems on my laptop with XP professional (or any other computer). Sometimes they start then hang, sometimes they don't start. When I stop WMP by clicking the x - that hangs too. Opening task manager will show DEFAULT IME not responding. And I get the server error that is reported in another thread above.
John
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Anonymous
2010-03-12T10:23:32+00:00 Thank you for your further suggestions.
The media files are all located on the local PC, but on a separate hard-drive within the PC - not an external hard drive.
I'm unsure of codecs (even after reading the link provided) but all the videos are home videos downloaded from my Sony Handycam so I don't expect them to be "unusual" coded ones. Plus they all worked fine in previous editions of Windows (XP and Vista).
As for the information on Bobby Mikkelson's link, I can advise that playing the videos from within WMP Library causes no problems. The videos can be stopped and restarted, or new ones played without an issue.
However, when I try from Windows Explorer directly by double clicking on the video file, I encounter errors again after every 2nd video. I tried pausing up to 5 seconds between closing WMP and re-opening a new video file, but the same problem still occurs. I disabled my anti-virus, and no change - still erroring each second video file when played via windows explorer.
Appears playing videos via WMP or WMC is no problem, but if you try via windows explorer you encounter problems. I can work around this by now only using WMP or WMC to play files.
Thank you for the assistance, and I'd be interested to find out when Microsoft fix the problem when playing media files via Windows Explorer.
Regards
Gemdarwen.
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Anonymous
2010-03-11T20:28:31+00:00 Hello Gemdarwen,
Thank you for your reply.
To verify are the media files all on the local PC or an external drive? Also, does the issue occur with the antivirus program temporarily disabled?
You may verify that the codecs for the media files are installed.
Windows Media Player automatically downloads all Microsoft Codecs and updates. If a media file requires a 3rd party codec you may use your favorite search engine to search for the necessary codec to play the file.
Below is a link with information on installing additional codecs and how to tell which codec was used to compress a file.
Codecs: frequently asked questions
Also, you may see the reply by Bobby Mikkelson in the below thread on Monday, October 12, 2009 7:25 PM. This thread may also be applicable for Windows Media Player 12.
Please relay if the issue occurs with Windows Media Player open in between opening or trying to play each media file and if the files are being played direclty from the Windows Media Player library or another location.
Thank you,
Mary
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
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