Windows Media Player troubles

[detn8r]

About 2 weeks ago, I upgraded my defult Windows Media Player that came with my OS (98se) to version 9. I was told on how terrible it was to have this on my system. Because this install was only an upgrade, I was able to uninstall it, and Media Player rolled back to the original version which was something in the 6x range. I really dont like this defult version, and noticed that my school ran version 7.1. I downloaded 7.1 last night, and instead of restarting my pc, I just shut it down, as I had to go to school. When I got home, Windows updated my settings, and when I went to play my music that I downloaded from Kazaa, it wouldnt produce any sound. I never had this problem with 6x, or 9. I am able to hear my normal windows sounds IE, welcome song, and able to play CD's fine that are burrned, and made legally, but it does not read any of the songs titles, nor the title of the CD or artest. It does show that status of the song, as it moves along but no sound. I made sure my speakers were up, but as I said, I am able to play other things, and hear them fine. I am also not able to play my .mpeg movie clip either. This clip includes sound. I am however able to play a .avi movie clip (both under a meg). This clip does not include sound. (both were downloaded in Kazaa.) What I do see is a black screen as the status bar moves. Here is an example of the .mpeg that did not play: () and here is an example of what I see when I play a song (.mp3): () I do have a sound clip (.mpg) that does not play either. Here is an example of a CD that does play, but does not pick the title or artist: ()
I am able to play these things in Quick Time, but I really dont like QT only because its really sensitive to having other things running, or being applied while its trying to run. It is due to my RAM, but its just that QT doesnt like my RAM. Also, QT doesnt pick up the .mpeg, but it does the .avi, but when I try to play the .avi clip it also comes up blank.

Is this a known issue with Media Player... can I possibly get a patch to fix this, or is my OS's fault in some way?

[Quick Time .avi output: ]
[Quick Time .mp3 that does play ]

[Anna]

Why not fall into the clutches of conformity and use WinAmp?

[detn8r]

I could, but like I said to Dee in a IM, I want a music player that looks cool, like MP9. Im guessing that winamp is skinable, but does it have skins to make it look 'cool'??

[Anna]

Depends what you define as "cool". I'm quite content with the deafult skin - but something else may tickles your fancies.

[rustedtight]

quote:Im guessing that winamp is skinable, but does it have skins to make it look 'cool'??

Define 'cool'. Seriously tho, winamp is the most skinned app on the web.

[WhiteWolf]

I've never really liked WMP...its too big. :-\ my humble opinion but I prefer winamp...and u can find alot of "cool" skins for winamp @ like deviantart.com and their offical site. I'm very happy with Winamp...and I wouldn't go back to matchboxjukebox or WMP...

-=-WhiteWolf-=-

[detn8r]

point well taken. winamp it is.