video play problems

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by stephenszpak, Apr 22, 2006.

  1. I was wondering if anyone out there is a computer
    expert. (I really really don't wan't to risk messing
    up my computer for this.)

    I can play videos from some websites but not from
    others. It *might* be a JAVA problem. This video will
    not play:

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4925881/

    when I click LAUNCH.

    ____________________________________________

    It may relate to all this:

    http://www.java.com/en/download/help/redximage.xml

    I do get a 'red X' box when I click on some videos (like
    this one) but the image I get is different. I get a one inch
    by one inch generic computer screen image with a red X
    across part of it. It disappears in a second.

    I don't use a LAN.
    I have DSL.
    Windows XP Home
    512 MB RAM
    IE 6.0
    latest version of JAVA (I think)


    Please reply ONLY if you're sure about how to fix this.

    Thanks alot,

    -Stephen
     
  2. beatpoet

    beatpoet

    Hi,

    I tested this on Mozilla Firefox, a great alternative browser, to get an error message.

    This is what I got:

    This product requires Microsoft© Internet Explorer 6, Microsoft© Media Player 10, and Macromedia Flash 7.

    Just from this list, make sure you do the following:

    -Install Macromedia Flash 7 free player.

    direct link: http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash

    -Check the version of your Microsoft Windows Media Player: Do this by loading up Media Player from your START menu, go to the Help tab, and click on About Windows Media Player. Check to see if you have Version 10. If not, skip the next step and run Windows Update.

    -Update your Microsoft Windows Media Player: go to the Help tab, and click on Check for Player Updates.

    -Run Windows Update (not very important unless you haven't updated your Windows in a long time or never). It should ask a few things, such as updating the Update application, etc. Do all of the recommended updates (don't do Custom unless you know what you are doing). Depending on your internet speed, you could see the update from 1min to a few hours. Do this when the market is closed, since it will lag your system a bit when crunching data or doing trades.

    -Try the website again.

    If you need more help, let me know. Good luck. :)

    -Poet
     

  3. Windows Media Player is 10. Flash Player is 7.
    Updated Windows as far as high priority updates are
    concerned. No changes. Video doesn't run.

    In the status bar, when I hover my mouse over the word
    LAUNCH in the link

    above (that is, the MSNBC one) I see the word javascript and
    a long sequence of letters and numbers.
    I think it is JAVA related somehow(??)

    -Stephen
     
  4. beatpoet

    beatpoet

    Try this:

    Go to the Java/Sun website.

    direct link: http://www.java.com/en/download/windows_xpi.jsp

    Before installing Java, run the Verify Installation, on the right side of the page.

    It will go to another page for you to press Verify Installation (orange button).

    It should load up a Java Runtime check and evaluate what you have.

    If it recommends something, install it accordingly.

    Remember to restart your computer afterwards.

    -Poet
     
  5. Java control panel | update says last update was last run
    4-19-06
     
  6. beatpoet

    beatpoet

    Hmm,

    When you click on the video link, does it open up a second window? If so, what other messages does it say?

    Let's try 2 more things.

    1. Check if Javascript is enabled in IE (it should be). Go to IE, click on Tools, Internet Options, then the Advanced tab. Scroll down to see if there is a check mark in the box for Java. If so, just exit out.

    2. Pop-up Blocker (IE's built-in module). Go to IE, click on Tools, Internet Options, then the Privacy tab. Go to the Pop-up Blocker section and click on Settings. Add the following address to the text box (Address of Web site to allow:)

    video.msn.com

    Click Add and it should be in the Allowed sites: section. Click Close, then OK.

    So far, your driver and software components are in order, as long as the Javascript is enabled in IE, like I directed you in #1.

    Let's get this working!

    -Poet
     

  7. In Advanced under Java (Sun)

    Use JRE 1.5.0_06 for <applet> (requires restart)

    is indeed checked

    Pop-up blocker is off at the moment. I haven't done exactly
    what you said above. That is, allow pop-ups from a list of
    sites. I guess I could try that. Another site said that I should
    disable pop-ups or the videos wouldn't run. I disabled pop-ups
    there too. No difference. I did that under Tools | Pop-up blocker
    from the IE menu.

    To restate, when I click on LAUNCH a little box opens that
    has a red X in it. It goes away in a second. Nothing else
    happens.

    -Stephen
     
  8. I don't know what happen there. Trying again.
     
  9. Trying to post again.