• Where can I find more troubleshooting tips and tricks for WMP?
• How do I clear the MRU (History) list?
• Do you get an error message while running streaming media?
• I'm getting error messages with Media Player what do they mean?
• I get audio but no video when I play a movie file. What's wrong?

Check out these tips and tricks to get the most from Windows Media™ Player --

•Windows Media Player Series 9 FAQ
•Tips and Tricks
•Microsoft Product Support Services for Windows Media Player
•WMP mini FAQ
•How to troubleshoot playback in Windows Media Player 9 (KB811982)

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by MSeng
last modified: 2003-12-20 08:44:54

To clear the list of content that was streamed from a web site, drill down to the following key and delete the appropriate sub-key.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\RecentFileList

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To clear the recent file list clear the following sub-key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Player\RecentURLList

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by MSeng
last modified: 2002-09-02 12:04:39

This MSKB article provides a solution:
Windows Media Player May Stop Responding or Generate an Error Message When Streaming Media (Q253798)

Note - this article applies to Microsoft Windows Media Player versions 6.4, 7

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by DSmithLady edited by MSeng
last modified: 2002-10-24 19:45:15

The links below provide details on different error messages in WMP:

• Troubleshooting Windows Media Player 10 Error Messages
  
• Error code information for Windows Media Player 9 Series
• Media Advice Archive - 10/8/04
• Media Advice Archive - 6/4/04
• Media Advice Archive - 3/19/04
  
  
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  by DSmithLady edited by MSeng
  last modified: 2005-03-01 21:23:37

  I get audio but no video when I play a movie file. What's wrong?

  The problem is that you don't have the right codec. Codec is short for code/decode. MSDN defines a codec as:
  A list of "instructions," known as an algorithm, which programs such as encoders and players use to compress and decompress data. In the case of digital media content, codecs are used to decrease the content's file size and bit rate, or the amount of data in kilobits per second that are required to render audio and video content. With smaller file sizes and lower bit rates, digital media content can be stored and streamed over a network more easily.
  
  You may also see an error message in Windows Media Player (WMP) that says "Error downloading Codec." WMP tries to download the right codec if you try to play a video for which you don't have a codec installed on your system. If you are behind a firewall or router, WMP may not be able to connect to the Microsoft server to automatically grab the right one. You may be able to resolve this issue by temporarily disabling your firewall. WMP may also not be able to download the right codec if it cannot determine the internal format of the movie file.
  
  One solution is to visit a site such as The Nimo Codec Homepage where you can download a huge file that will install a variety of different codecs on your system. Once you have done this, you should have no trouble playing movie files in the future.
  
  Other useful sites for codecs include:
  •MS Codecs Download Package
  •MovieCodec.com
  •dBpowerAMP
  •DiVX.com
  
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  by MacGyver edited by MSeng
  last modified: 2004-10-29 07:37:47