Windows Media Player - Intermittent error when trying to play media file-Server Execution Failed

Hi Mary,

Thank you for your reply - I followed the instructions in the update of 18 Jan by Afzal.  Disabled each startup up items and re-attempted - the problem still occured with all disabled and individual ones enabled as well.   The startup items in my list (with the Microsoft ones hidden) were:

• Apple Mobile Device (Apple Inc)
• avast! Antivirus (ALWIL Software)
• avast! Mail Scanner (ALWIL Software)
• avast! Web Scanner (ALWIL Software)
• Bonjour Service (Apple Inc)
• Google Update Service (gupdate) (Google Inc)
• iPod Service (Apple Inc)
• NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVIDIA Corporation)
• ServiceLayer  (Nokia)

I then tried the new user account, which started to show promising results.

Initially I was getting the "server execution failed" error on every second media file.  On a new account it didn't happen at all (worked about 10 tens in succession).  I then created a new user account as per the link provided by Afzal and copied across the appropriate files from the old user account (excluding the Ntuser ones).  After logging on with the new user it worked gain for about 10 tens in succession, before starting to play up again.

Now it appears to be happening every 5-6 plays of a media file.

Media files I'm using are AVI, MPG and MP3.

When the problem started again with the newly setup user, I tried using the Windows Media Centre and to this date I can play video files without an issue at all via WMC.  But as soon as I try WMP - problems reoccur again.  Can go back to WMC and problems don't appear.

Would appear to me that the issue is WMP related - as WMC works fine.

I checked the Windows Media Network Sharing Service startup type and it was set to Automatic (delayed start).  I changed this to Automatic.  Rebooted and no difference - still has same problem with WMP (again WMC all ok).

My PC is a custom built PC with 2GB RAM and a Gigabyte 965P-DS3P (rev 2) motherboard.

Windows 7 Ultimate is installed and was installed as a clean install as required.  I originally had RC7100 but this could not be upgraded as per MicroSoft instructions and a clean install was done.

Regards

Gemdarwen.

Hello zcd7,

Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Answers Site. 

To better assist, please see the questions below:

·         Are the media files all located on the local PC or on an external drive? If the media files are located on an external drive, please relay the make and model.  You may also verify that the media files are in a Windows Media Player monitored folder.   

To add a folder to be monitored by Windows Media Player, please see the link below:

Add items to the Windows Media Player Library

·         Also, to verify does the issue still occur while performing a clean boot? In addition, you may also try disabling the antivirus software temporarily if installed and then check the issue. 

Please also relay if the issue occurs with only mp3 files or additional media file types.  If so, please relay the media file types and if the issue occurred prior to installing an additional codec package. 

You may also view the thread below with a similar issue:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpromedia/thread/a962e386-d8e6-496d-9f97-754019d504d3

If the issue persists, you may view also view the below thread which includes additional steps to help troubleshoot the issue.

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itpromedia/thread/f690ff23-c486-47e7-acd4-ee6187613ae8

Thank you,

Mary

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Hello Gemdarwen,

Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Answers Site.

To better assist, please relay if the same issue persists after trying the steps above provided by Afzal on Monday, January 18, 2010 9:54 PM.

Also, please relay the format of the video files and if they are on the local PC.

You may also verify that the Windows Media Network Sharing Service startup type is set to Automatic.

Please relay the answers to the questions above so that we may provide further assistance.

Thank you,

Mary

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Hello !!! - Anyone ???

I too have just started receiving this same error - "Server Execution Failed" - when trying to watch home movies captured from a handy cam.

Up until tonight I've had no problems, having had Windows 7 Ultimate Retail installed for abuot 2 weeks now.  The first video file runs OK, but then the second one fails with the error.  I try it a third time and it works again ok.  Appears to be happening every 2nd or 3rd viewing of a video file.

The only change made to my PC was last night when I finally setup Windows Media Centre.  Prior to this I hadn't bothered (was too busy playing with my new Samsung LED TV).  Anyway after reading this post and reading suggestions about "other applications" possibly the problem I thought I'd try and access the same video files via Windows Media Centre. 

I can access and ply each video file without fail.  Even replaying the same file over and over again.  But as soon as I go back to Explorer and run under WMP - "Server execution failed" messages start up again.

Could it be something to do with the way Windows Media Centre interacts with the files ???