Help with Windows Media Player

We will be happy to address your needs, but first please review the following list of common problems, and click the response that applies best to you.

Before you attempt to diagnose problems on your computer, please check the following:

Do you have a Windows Media Player, properly installed? If not, go to Microsoft's Web Site, download the player, then follow the installation instructions provided. If you need help with installation of Microsoft Windows Media Player, go to Microsoft's installation help page.

If you already have Media Player installed, is it the latest version? Check for Windows Media Player: Windows 95, 98, or NT 4.0 should be version 6.4, Windows 3.x should be version 3.0, Macintosh should be version 6.3 beta. Windows users can identify the version of the player they are currently using by "right clicking" their mouse when it is over the player, and looking at the properties box.

If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, do you have the security setting at "Medium" or lower? Our audio streams do not work on systems set to high security. If you need to change your security settings, restart your computer completely before trying again. If you memory or cache file folders are full you may experience audio streaming errors, try emptying your Temporary Internet files, and any addition files, such as the contents of the recycling bin.

If you are listening in an office, is there a firewall, proxy server, in place that blocks audio streams? Go to Microsoft's general help page look for the firewall and proxy server information.

If you are having continued problems after ensuring that the questions above have been answered, please review the following common problems.

  • The audio is choppy or cuts out occasionally when I listen.
  • I have Web TV or a Mac, and I'm having problems.
  • When the Windows Media Player starts up, it begins to setup, but then stops.
  • Everytime I listen to the audio through the player, it asks for my email address and information again.

    What are the minimum requirements for my computer to play audio?
    90 MHz or faster Intel Pentium processor (or equivalent CPU)
    Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3
    32 MB RAM
    30 MB free space on your hard disk 16-bit sound card and speakers
    65,000-color or better video display card
    28.8Kbps or faster Internet connection and web browser (IE or Netscape Navigator)

    The audio is choppy or cuts out occasionally when I listen.
    99% of these types of problems are due to the connection speed of your computer. Dialup access to the internet, even on a 56K modem, is only as fast as the phone line you are using. Sometimes the connection speed is affected by other factors, which basically means that your computer can't keep up with the speed at which the audio is being sent. If you are experiencing this problem only once in a while, this might help:

    Find the Windows Media Player on your computer. Usually it is located on the Start menu under "Programs". Open the player, and go to "View" and select "Options". Click the tab that says "Advanced", highlight "Streaming Media (Windows Media)" and click "Change". At the top, you can tell Windows Media to buffer more audio before it begins to play. You can tell it to buffer 30 seconds or so to help. Try to increase the number to suit your needs. Keep in mind that if this is a permanent problem with your connection, choppy audio may be inevitable. Unfortunately, the reality is, that anything less than 30Kbps can sometimes experience variations of this problem.

    I have Web TV or a Mac, and I am having problems.
    Unfortunately, this is a common problem, that our providers are attempting to resolve. They have indicated that some Mac connections will work if you visit Microsoft, and download the latest version of Windows Media Player.

    When the Windows Media Player starts up, it begins to setup, but then stops.
    There are a few main causes for this. First, your internet security settings through Microsoft Internet Explorer may be set to high. A setting above medium can cause a problem with the audio transfer. Also, you may need to install the latest version of Windows Media Player by visiting Microsoft's website. Also, the system may have to be restarted, or the location where your computer stores temporary internet files may be full, and could contribute to the problem. For your convenience, we have added these steps to help you change your internet security settings:
    On the Menu bar on your browser, click on TOOLS.
    Click on INTERNET OPTIONS.
    Click on the SECURITY Tab. In the "Security level for this zone" section, move the Slider Control to medium.
    Click on the APPLY Button, exit and try the link again.
    NOTE: You may need to refresh the browser or delete your temporary Internet files.

    Everytime I listen to the audio through the player, it asks for my email address and information again.
    Your browser is most likely set up to NOT accept "cookies". The registration program places a small cookie on your computer to let it know you have been there before. Without the cookie, the program "thinks" you are a new user. Configure your browser to accept cookies. If you periodically clear your computer of cookies, you will be asked to re-register the next time you want to listen.

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