Windos Media Player/Vista problems

theloft

Can anyone help. A few months ago, my Windows Media Player
stopped working with my Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit system. I have researched the web and some dubious programs came up, most wanting money. I went to Microsoft.com to see if there was an update, only to be told "this is not compatible with your system" Apparently there are issues with WMV player and Vista. If there is not a fix, can anyone reommend a good free alternative ? Have tried VLC but not so sure about it.

danthemoneysavingman

Have you run a full virus/malware scan recently? Good place to start.

An even better move would be to bin Vista and install Windows 7.

wiogs

VLC is an excellent free alternative. What is it you are unsure of regarding it?

MandyAW92

This is a good opportunity to get Windows 7 or 8 on your machine and ditch Vista

closed

what happens when you use it, what are you trying to play

Overkill, but a backup and factory restore cures most things, and would probably give the machine run smoother.

VLC is ok

as you have had infections/unwanted addons in the past, post a hijackthis log

Hintza

I also have GOM (and VLC) which I like and tends to be better with subtitles.

theloft

danthemoneysavingman wrote: »

Have you run a full virus/malware scan recently? Good place to start. An even better move would be to bin Vista and install Windows 7.

I regularly run a Anti-Malware/virus scan, but when you Google this problem it seems to be endemic. As this is a Money Saving site how much does it cost to bin Vista and install Windows 7 then ?

theloft

wiogs wrote: »

VLC is an excellent free alternative. What is it you are unsure of regarding it?

Well it does the job after a fashion, but it is not automatic every time, often have to save to Desktop and run from there. But ever since I downloaded VLC I seem to have had problems with slow-running, freezing screen etc. Have done diagnostic checks and nothing, but when I uninstalled VLC problems seemed to go away, maybe a coincidence, but as I said - not sure.

theloft

MandyAW92 wrote: »

This is a good opportunity to get Windows 7 or 8 on your machine and ditch Vista

See my reply to Dan.

NiftyDigits

Brand name and model number?

henm2

I am another VLC user mainly for videos. It plays all formats and I have had no issues with it affecting the performance of either a PC or netbook so would highly recommend it.