Windows Media Player wont play Audio Cds

jghal

Hi all, hopefully one of you clever techies out there can help me out - hopefully this is something simple

I normally play MP3s on my computer so never noticed this problem before, but when I put in a standard audio Cd, Windows Media Player won't play it

WMP (version 9) auto-opens when I insert an audio Cd but then says that it doesnt recognise the format and won't play the CD. I am running Win 98Se.

My sons computer (also on Win98SE, but with WMP 7) plays audio Cds no problem, so I uninstalled WMP 9 from mine and installed WMP 7 instead but with no improvement - still can't play audio cds

Any help would be appreciated, thanks

jghal

Mr_Skint_2

Open media player and choose.,, Tools, Options, File Types Tab, Select All, OK
what about Media Player 10 http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/download/download.aspx make sure your PC has the minimum requirements http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/default.aspx

jghal

Thanks Mr Skint, all the options are selected, but WMP still won't play Cds.

I have since restored my system using Norton Ghost and am back to WMP9 again (WMP10 seems to be just for Win XP users, I think).

Also, I have now noticed that even windows own Cd player won't recognise an audio cd, so it seems as if things are more complicated than I thought.

thanks anyway and cheers

Jghal

Mr_Skint_2

Just as a thought check the Drivers are all there in win98 device manager,,You can open Device Manager by double-clicking on the System icon in Control Panel, and choosing the Device Manager tab. It is also accessible by right-clicking on My Computer, selecting Properties, and selecting the Device Manager tab are there any
errors there, I mean can you see a red or yellow exclamation mark?

Rex_Mundi

I'd say this has got to be something to do with your settings.

I'm running the same set up on this computer (W98SE, WMP9). I just tried a CD in to see if there was a problem. It opened straight away in WMP and played fine.

Just a thought...........I've read quite a few times that people have had trouble playing new releases (CDs) that are using Sony DRM protection. Is the CD a latest release? I think CDs with DRM have a small sticker on (hologram?)

jghal

Thanks again guys for taking the trouble...

Mr Skint - Device Managaer shows all okay
Rex_Mundi - the CDs I've tried are either quite old or made by me - no joy on either type

cheers

jghal

Rex_Mundi

Put the CD in your computer while holding down the shift button. Keep the shift held down for 30 seconds or so (this stops autoplay). Then click>my computer, right click the CD drive and click explore. It should give you the contents of the disc in a list. What format are the tracks in?

jghal

it just shows

Track01.cda

Rex_Mundi

Scrub that.......This is an easier way.............

Get to where you were from my last post (looking at the CD contents, Track1.cda)

Hold the shift down and right click this track. Select 'open with'. Scroll down untill you get to windows media player. Tick this, then tick 'always open with' (at the bottom). Click apply then OK.

Mr_Skint_2

Darn beat me to it Rex...

Saves my fingers anyhow.....

jghal

Rex

cda files are already set to open and play with WMP. When I insert the Cd WMP does open up but I get the following message:

"The selected file has a scheme that is not recognised by windows media player but the player may still be able to play it. Because the extension is unknown by the player you shuld be sure that the file comes from a trustworthy source. Do you want the player to try to play the file"

When I select 'yes', the following message pops up:

"Windows media player cannot find the specified file. Be sure the path is typed correctly. If it is the file does not exist at the specified location, or the computer where the file is stored is offline"

Clicking close just leaves WMP sitting there doing nothing

cheers

jghal