Sounds like the player is attempting to resolve a connection with something
that is failing, and after that delay the player gives up and tries the next
option. The question would be what specific sort of media files cause this
error, since that would help isolate out what external components might be
of interest.
http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html#isolate

--
(speaking for myself and doing this in my free time)
See http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html for some helpful WMP info.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
Now Playing: "If I Ever Feel Better" by "Phoenix" in WMP10.
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"Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:24FABF42-7114-4520-A1DE-A5B7423F195D@microsoft.com...
> I'm unsure whether this issue is a common one, but i'm hoping some one has
> seen this before. Whilst opening any media file in the first session of
> WMP9
> there is a delay of upto 5mins whilst displaying "opening media", after
> the
> delay the file plays fine, as do subsequent files with no delay. The
> message,
> during the delay is often "Connecting" although the file resides locally
> C:/ .
> I have run SpybotS&D and have Blueyonder PC guard AV/Firewall/AS with no
> success of flushing out any spyware.
> I have unchecked all the WMP9 > Options > Privacy boxes.
> I'm running win98se and have AC3 codec for Avi's.
> Any assistance / comments would be most welcome.
>