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.

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.
>

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.
> >
>
>
>

Well, the AC3 / filter pack don't make terribly excited... most codec/filter
packs aren't very well put together, so you may find things working better
*without* those on your system.........

Does mplayer2.exe take a long time to open a file too?
It sounds like either this is a bad filter or your sound card.

--
(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: "Day in the Blue" by "Jackson Sisters" in WMP10.
--

"Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:4157BC04-3F26-444D-96B1-F35AE54C8264@microsoft.com...
> 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.
>> >
>>
>>
>>

The AC3 filter has been removed, I dont know why I installed it in the first
place AVI's play OK in WMP9 without it.
The delay in opening media is not isolated to WMP9, The delay is present
when MP3, MPG, WMV files are opened from mplayer2.
I downloaded Winamp to see whether the issue can be reproduced on another
media player. plays mp3s without any appreciable lag.
I have updated my sound card drivers to the most recent, direct from the
creative site.
Apart from the files installed with WMP9 I have not installed any other
filters/codecs/enhancements. My PC is basically a bare bones system, with the
exception of acrobat, picasa1.6 photo organiser, nikon camera drivers and the
bluyonder security software.
I have uninstalled WMP9 by add/remove (rollback) then reinstalled using the
installer from the microsoft download site.
Is there anything I have overlooked? Or should I start backing up for a 98SE
reinstall.
Regards


"zachd [ms]" wrote:

>
> Well, the AC3 / filter pack don't make terribly excited... most codec/filter
> packs aren't very well put together, so you may find things working better
> *without* those on your system.........
>
> Does mplayer2.exe take a long time to open a file too?
> It sounds like either this is a bad filter or your sound card.
>
> --
> (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: "Day in the Blue" by "Jackson Sisters" in WMP10.
> --
>
> "Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:4157BC04-3F26-444D-96B1-F35AE54C8264@microsoft.com...
> > 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.
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Solotion found.
Clean installed XP.
reloaded sound card drivers.
I think the issue may well have been 98SE / WMP9 clash. what the clash is? I
have no idea.
But my PC is the same software build as before *except* the OS is now XP.
Thanks for the assistance and I'm sure that with more digging the issue
could have been resolved. I tried everthing on your WMP site in order then
restored and tried the next option. My power supply has had a good exercise.
If anyone else has had this issue, I would like to know what the solution
was, out of curiousity.
Many thanks, Chris

"Chris" wrote:

> The AC3 filter has been removed, I dont know why I installed it in the first
> place AVI's play OK in WMP9 without it.
> The delay in opening media is not isolated to WMP9, The delay is present
> when MP3, MPG, WMV files are opened from mplayer2.
> I downloaded Winamp to see whether the issue can be reproduced on another
> media player. plays mp3s without any appreciable lag.
> I have updated my sound card drivers to the most recent, direct from the
> creative site.
> Apart from the files installed with WMP9 I have not installed any other
> filters/codecs/enhancements. My PC is basically a bare bones system, with the
> exception of acrobat, picasa1.6 photo organiser, nikon camera drivers and the
> bluyonder security software.
> I have uninstalled WMP9 by add/remove (rollback) then reinstalled using the
> installer from the microsoft download site.
> Is there anything I have overlooked? Or should I start backing up for a 98SE
> reinstall.
> Regards
>
>
> "zachd [ms]" wrote:
>
> >
> > Well, the AC3 / filter pack don't make terribly excited... most codec/filter
> > packs aren't very well put together, so you may find things working better
> > *without* those on your system.........
> >
> > Does mplayer2.exe take a long time to open a file too?
> > It sounds like either this is a bad filter or your sound card.
> >
> > --
> > (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: "Day in the Blue" by "Jackson Sisters" in WMP10.
> > --
> >
> > "Chris" <Chris@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:4157BC04-3F26-444D-96B1-F35AE54C8264@microsoft.com...
> > > 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.
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> >
> >
> >