WMP keep lagging.

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Newbiekid

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Jan 1, 2011
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Recently, i just start up my computer and use Windows Media Player. When i start playing a video, and i want to forward the video or close it. There is always a loading sign and the response is slow. EVERYTHING else on my windows 7 computer is working without any lag except WMP. I simply switched to using VLC. However when using Windows Media player for music, it will alright till today when the whole WMP start lagging again. I need the WMP to for my walkman as it doesnt support Itunes for album art....

Any suggestion on how to solve this?

Thanks!
 
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Hi Newbiekid HERE GOES :-0

It would really help if we knew what hardware you are using in your PC eg; CPU, motherboard, ram, graphics card and which flavor of Win 7 32bit or 64bit?

I have experienced a similar problem when playing back a DVD in WMP, the playback was choppy, don't seek but still very frustrating.

My problem was related to all the other media players i had installed, quicktime, vlc, real player, mphc etc. What seems to be the problem is that some of these players automatically take over the file associations and video output functions for those file association; so that when you use WMP to play a video for example, the video codec being used may be from another player installed, which can result in choppy play back; or possibly not being able to seek properly through a video!

Also; in relation to video files, if you have not done a defrag of your hdd and the video is actually split over many areas of the hdd, this to can cause the same types of problems.

What i would try ( you should note that while good WMP is beset by these types of problems, as are many others!) is :

1: remove any additional media players installed, then go into WMP and check in options/ settings for file associations and set back to default. Also check in WMP that hardware acceleration is being used for video ( if your graphics card supports this functionality ).

2: Defrag hdd, this will place all concurrent files together instead of scattered all over disk ( which is default behavior ).

3: try playback again to see if problem solved.

If not, you may have to use another media player for video playback, but still use WMP for audio duties.

Hope this helps and good luck. 🙂
Let us know how you get on.
 
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No need, to go that far Newbiekid, seems a bit extreme to me, but if that's the route you wish to follow then proceed.

You do not need to though, its a false solution in this regards to fresh install Windows, its better to try the process i outlined above.

Fresh installs should only ever be used when all other paths have failed to resolve a problem; you see if you choose this path without trying to learn and understand why WMP is causing video and audio problems, you MAY get into the false and unnecessary behavior of ALWAYS re-installing Windows for the slightest error.

No good practice, and the domain off a weak mind!

Now, try Newbiekid to resolve problem step by step, i know its frustrating but the resolution when you find it, will be much more satisfying that just re-installing.

Don't quote me on that though 🙂

PS, on-board sound, so check have latest motherboard drivers for sound, not really related but always helps, same for Radeon as well.
 
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I dun mind not using WMP for Video. But it lags even when i turn it on for audio without even playing anything. So its already lagging when WMP is open with nothing running. Sadly my walkman only support WMP for adding album cover and i cant use itunes.
 
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Ok, try un-installing media player from control panel, shutdown and restart, clean any reg entries left over with ccleaner, goto microsoft website and download MP11 from there, install again check for updates, try to play audio again.
 
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....... its not in control panel and i heard there maybe no way to reinstall it unless, reinstall the OS
 
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I did try something from the fourth comment.


You can uninstall WMP directly from Windows 7 by going to Start > Run, and type optionalfeatures.exe.

Under the Media features section is Windows Media Player.

Didnt work. Not sure how to take ownership of files now
 
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OK, Newbiekid, i apologize hehehe 🙂, i did not read the thread through and see you problem..................... sorry!

I apologize again, it gets worse heheeheh :-( : after searching on google with "how to take ownership of windows media player files" the first link produced this thread : http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/13157-easy-way-to-take-ownership-of-system-files-in-vista-windows-7/

Now, a bit of advice, if your still willing to take it?

Look at the process for taking ownership of files in isolation, i mean try to get your head round this step itself before you add it to the steps in first thread OK?

Then when you feel comfortable with its use, start gain with the process from first thread and add in this step.

I know, your seriously thinking im just gonna re-install, but stick with Newbiekid, this process is the same for ALL PROBLEMS on your PC or laptop, crack this one yourself ( with a little bit of help of course 🙂 ) and you WILL set yourself up very well for problem trouble shooting and resolution in the future.

Pay attention to the questions i asked Google and the results they generated. This is a crucial aspect of trouble shooting, being able to frame your first question correctly can save loads of time searching incorrect threads and answers.

STICK WITH IT NEWBIEKID, already your troubleshooting-skills have increased, and that is no joke.

Good luck, and remember, take each step in process in isolation and be sure you understand before linking them all together.
 
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Hi Newbiekid, well done so far! You are well into the problem solving, and still problems abound :-(

THIS is common with a lot of problems, apparently solve one for another to pop up. Its just a shame your walkman will only play with WMP!

Do you really need the album art? I know, makes the whole use a much better experience when you can see the album cover, much easier to identify than just a name.

Well, please keep thread updated, you,ve moved well beyond any help i could give besides trying to uninstall ad re-install media player myself; which i would be willing to try if you have no joy!

Considering the mare your having, the thought does not fill ME with much joy 🙂

Keep it up Newbiekid, its all good.
 
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I guess the Best solution now is either

1) Contact Microsoft

2) Reinstall the Entire OS(troublesome)


Thanks anyway!
 
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Hi Newbiekid, it seems like you have hit a brick wall !!!!

Well, you could always try and uninstall WMP11 and re-install WMP 12, but since the re-install seems to be the problem, probably not a valid solution!

I would email Microsoft support, or look on their support forums for a answer, not good, but like you have noted, running out of options.

Remember, at the start of thread, you were willing to re-install OS, and now you rightly conclude that it is troublesome 🙂 to say the least.

Ok, Newbiekid, in light of your excellent trouble shooting efforts, gonna have a look at the total procedure myself and going to try to see if I can successfully remove and install WMP 12 to 11, then 11 back to 12.

Bearing in mind i have no problem with 12, I'm pretty scared right now :-/

Don't give up completely, give yourself a rest from the problem for a few days ( weeks if need be 🙂 ) and then look again on Microsoft WMP forums at similar problems.

If their was any other information which you found, could you post on this thread the links so i too can suffer :-# hehehehehe

Good work though, and you now realize that software issues can sometimes be a complete nightmare to resolve.

OK, gonna go back to start of thread and begin, will update as I complete each step of procedures found and will let you know what happens. Hopefully between us both we can crack this!

Wish me luck!!!!!!
 
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OK Newbiekid, first update !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Went to first link i gave you : http://windows7forums.com/windows-7-software/4907-uninstall-re-install-media-player-12-a.html

and opened the first link on second comment in thread :
http://techie-buzz.com/hacks-and-mods/how-to-uninstall-windows-media-player-12-on-windows-7.html

NOW, while reading through the comments below the procedure to see how other people got on, it seems the procedure is primarily aimed at Windows 7 32bit !!!!!

A bit further down the comments list was this :

" Val
Hey guys! I discovered how to uninstall windows media player 12 from windows 7 without a scratch!!!
1- Go to control Panel
2- Choose programs and feature (not uninstall)
3- CHoose Turn Windows Feature On or Off on the left of the screen
4- Find Media Features
5- Unmark Media Features then press Ok
6- Simply restart, and reinstall media player 11 (or the one you’d like)
(Sorry for my bad English, I’m usually speaking french 😀) "

This works as advertised on the tin, i have followed the procedure outlined above, although I only selected to remove Windows Media Player ( and not media center or windows DVD maker) and it has removed WMP12 ( as well as media centre as this depends on WMP12 ! ); asked to restart, and now NO WMP12 ( or media centre ( weeps :-/ ).

Did a ccleaner registry clean to remove the now redundant registry entries for WMP WMC and shutdown and restarted again!

So, so far so good, gonna download WMP 11 and install. Then gonna try to uninstall and replace WMP 12 and Media Center by doing the reverse of the procedure outlined above.

Will update again soon.

PS, as an ASIDE, THIS IS WHY ITS VERY IMPORTANT TO SPECIFY UPFRONT WHICH VERSION OF WIN 7 YOU ARE USING, CAN SAVE MUCH UNNECESSARY GRIEF !!!
 
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OK Newbiekid, update 2 !!!!!

From the this thread : http://techie-buzz.com/hacks-and-mods/how-to-uninstall-windows-media-player-12-on-windows-7.html

I downloaded the WMP zip file : takes you to a media file hosting site!!!

After unzipping, the read me included has the same information about taking ownership of files etc; I ignored this and just installed ( disconnected from internet ), and the installation went fine.

Asked to restart so did. Back on desktop, the installation did not place any entries into start menu, so went to C-drive, Program Files ( x86 ) Windows Media Player for Windows 7, and pinned the application icon to task bar.

First time i tried to run said : this program has not installed properly, would you like to go to Microsoft to download latest version.

At this point, i said yes ( still not connected to internet remember ) and it opened chrome and the web address seemed to be ok.

I have uninstalled the player from add-remove programs just as a precaution. I will now install player again and see what the link to Microsoft produces, without un-installing it first.

Look out for update 3 🙂
 
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OK Newbiekid, update 3 !!!

I have re-installed the downloaded WMP and the link does actually take you to the media player downloads page at Microsoft : http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/downloads/windows-media-player

What it does not do is automatically try to install or download WMP 11. On this page is the number for each version of windows and WMP11 stops at Vista ( installed by default ) like WMP12 is installed by default on Windows 7.

OK, after doing a bit more reading, the downgrade to WMP11 procedure does only work for 32bit, not 64bit.

So, looks like all 64bit users are stuck with WMP12, whether they like/want it or not!!!!

Newbiekid, did you create a system restore point before trying the procedure to take ownership of files ( to be honest, i always disable the restore function as pretty good when it comes to managing programs and installations and such, but for average user, before trying anything with registry or more advanced like taking ownership of files, its good practice, as you can go back to the same system before the changes were made! ), MY BAD, SHOULD HAVE ADVISED YOU OF THIS BEFORE TRYING OWNERSHIP PROCEDURE!!!

Ok, gonna un-install WMP11 and clean registry and then see if can redownload WMP 12 and Media Center, final stage in process for me.

For you Newbiekid, you may try to reverse the taking ownership procedure, shutdown and restart, and then try the removal procedure in update 1, not sure what will happen as already removed WMP12, the try and re-tick WMP12 ( and for me media Center ) and see if downloads and installs correctly.

Gonna try now, will update soon.
 
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OK, Newbiekid update 4 !!!

Firstly, uninstalled the WMP11, and then ccleaned registry, did not uninstall the program folder so deleted myself, shutdown and restarted.

Replaced the ticks for media center and WMP 12 in control panel, programs, Windows features, and installed both again.

Shutdown and restarted ( even though did not ask ).
Tried WMP 12 first of all and ERROR : media player did not install correctly, then offers to goto website to download correct version.

Tried Media Center and works as before, with USB dvb-t tuner, recorded programs still there, so all OK with this.

Seems that removing the WMP 12 and installing the WMP 11, breaks the re-installation of WMP 12 !!!!! :-(

OK, Newbiekid, i'm now in same position as you, no WMP 12!

Gonna check out getting it re-installed, but am secretly hoping that it will download as a install once system identifies it as broken ( a forlorn hope i know ).

Gonna browse now to see about re-install on Microsoft site.

So you see Newbiekid, even a veteran like me can come up a cropper and hit a brick wall.

Will update thread if find a solution or any-other information, like you i to do not want to have to re-install the OS. That is a very poor situation and one which Microsoft should have resolved by now.

 
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Hi Newbiekid, just a quick update; have tried the process outlined in my last post, but installation ( repair install ) fails when setup tries to re-enable my gpu, get Bsod and setup rolls back!!!

Cannot start setup on battery, so may wait until that point in process and unplug power to laptop so on-board gpu is used.

Not sure if will work, but gonna try anyway, still no wmp12 which is really frustrating :-(
 
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Hey, why don't u play your music in VLC too?
 
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@ nikorr, LOL, hehehehe.........., not the point dude, and you know it!!!

After my reading and suggestions to Newbiekid, felt it only right that i to should suffer, having tried most things i found for him, have to say the situation is diabolical; Microsoft should NOT ALLOW us to un-install a core system component ( why they integrated at this level, i don't know!!! ) without the ability to re-install successfully!

Poor design on their part, really, really poor.

Have vlc and winamp, and real player and QuickTime etc, etc........ :-/

Will persevere, as many users are not happy with WMP12, but even unhappier when can't put back; will see how install goes when remove power, even though the setup will not even start if on battery; hoping to force through as last stage in process.

Wish me luck 🙂 ( and NO FRESH INSTALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ).
 
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