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

Anonymous
2009-12-24T02:35:18+00:00

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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

131 answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-01-17T14:31:14+00:00

    BUMP

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T13:34:15+00:00

    BUMP

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T15:37:41+00:00

    BUMP

    Get your own free website with NO Advertising!!

    PHP + MySQL + 100GB Bandwidth + Easy Website Builder:

    FREE WEBHOSTING HERE!!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T21:54:33+00:00

    Hi,

    Sorry for the delayed response. We need some more information from you to help you troubleshoot this issue.

    a. What is the make and model of your computer?

    b. Was the Windows 7 install an upgrade or a custom install?

    To help troubleshoot the issue, please see the steps below.

    1. You may try performing a clean boot to check if there are any background programs that may be interfering.

    To perform a clean boot, please see the link below:

    How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

    **http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135**

     If the issue persists, you may verify that the proper codecs to play the video files are installed on the PC.

    For more information on installing Codec files, please see the link below. This reference is also applicable for Windows Media Player 12.

    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/faq/codec.mspx#q14\_3

    You may also create another user account and check if the issue occurs.

    To create a new profile, you must first create a new user account. When the account is created, a profile will also be created.

    1. Open User Accounts by clicking the Start button, clicking Control Panel, clicking User Accounts and Family Safety (or clicking User Accounts, if you

     are connected to a network domain) and then clicking User Accounts.

    1. Click Manage another account.
    2. If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
    3. Click Create a new account.
    4. Type the name you want to give the user account, click an account type and then click Create Account.

    Create a user account

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/Windows7/Create-a-user-account

    If it works in a new user account then you need to fix the corrupt user profile. You may visit this link for the steps:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows7/Fix-a-corrupted-user-profile

    Regards,

    Afzal-Microsoft Support.

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

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2010-01-19T14:07:08+00:00

    a. What is the make and model of your computer?  <--- Built it my self 2 years ago, like I've built every PC I've owned since the early 90's.  Never had any issues with XP, avoided Vista because the beta was atrocious and the release was worse.  Beta'd 7 ran great, was very enthusiastic and pre-ordered Ultimate as soon as it was available.  Beta ran flawless, but then again I didn't run WMP much.  Looking back I probably should have....

    b. Was the Windows 7 install an upgrade or a custom install?  <--- Clean install off the retail 64 bit 7 Ultimate disk.

    1. You may try performing a clean boot to check if there are any background programs that may be interfering.  <--- Done this, same results.   Also see original post about scanning PC for malware/viruses.  I like a clean PC, I'm all performance based.  No ____ in my tray that doesn't have to be there.  Zonealarm, Avast, Malwarebytes, and APC's UPS software.  

    If the issue persists, you may verify that the proper codecs to play the video files are installed on the PC.  <--- Again, please read above posts.  I've already checked codecs.  I also downloaded the K-lite codec pack, which has helped some, but only because some of the codecs contained are more forgiving playing MP3 files that are partially corrupted. * Edit - Note my MP3 files were NOT corrupt prior to trying to play them in WMP.  K-lite only helps play some of these songs that WMP has damaged.  After copying over fresh versions of the files from my backup drive, WMP will work fine, until it decides to corrupt them again.  I've never seen a faulty codec corrupt a file.  WMP that opens and edits the header file of MP3's so it can add it to the library...  It's this procedure that has caused problems in the past, see above post, and is most likely causing issues again.

    You may also create another user account and check if the issue occurs. <---I'll try it, but it sounds more like a stall tactic than a troubleshooting procedure.  In 15 years of repairing PC's from Windows 3.11 on up, I have yet to see a corrupt user profile account for eating MP3 files and nothing else.......

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments