Zachd,
Eureka, light at the end of the tunnel, i hope.
Your website instructs me to explain the situation as the "error" occurs,
here goes:
win98se
all relevant critical updates from MS
sound card: Creative soundblaster PCI, driver SBAPCI9X.inf
Windows media player v9.00.00.3250
AC3 filter pack v0.70b for viewing AVI
I have Blueyonder PC guard antivirus/spyware firewall
I boot up with the minimal of clutter, only pcguard and volume in systray.
wait awhile to be sure everything has settled down
start WMP9, select tab to media library, select an MP3, then wait for up to
5mins for the music file to play. in the Dialog box the concentric circles
are moving with the phrase "opening media".
After the initial file has played, I have no problems opening anything,
almost instant.
This intial "lag" also occurs with WMV and AVI video files, but with the
phrase "connecting". again after the intial file has played, no worries.
I'm reluctant to suggest its the PC guard firewall etc. as I had this
installed >12months, this problem has occurred in the last 3months. I have
installed no other SW on this PC in that 3months.
I have had Limewire P2P for 6months, and have downloaded the the odd AVI
movie, but always wash the file through Spybot S&D and pc guard before
letting loose. (S&D and PCguard updated file defs). Is this the source of my
grief??
I have tried most of the sample files from the MS site, all with the same
issue.
please let me know if you require any other system details, I'm not a PC
expert but I'm confident I can drive the control panel.
Regards
Chris




"zachd [ms]" wrote:

>
> 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.
> --
>
> "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.
> >
>
>
>