Windows Media Player 11 for Vista problem with skin mode

Question：My Windows Media Player for Vista (premium) has worked well for over a year.  The other day, for the first time, I chose to run it in skin mode (small).  The hourglass appeared, then it flashed "not responding".  When I searched for help, the help app just ended.  When I asked for details, the message said "A problem caused this program to stop interacting with Windows".  The problem event name is AppHangB1; app version is 11.0.6002.18065; Hang sign is e710; Hang type is "0"; app timestamp is 4a5dce03.

I went into control panel to try to repair, but Media Player is not shown as an installed program.

I tried to download and reinstall, but it said my version was newer than the download version.

I tried to delete the program's .exe file, and was told I needed permission (even though I am the administrator).

I ran the cmd scan, but it said some errors couldn't be fixed.

I tried to run regedit, but my computer said there was an error and it couldn't run.

So I can't open, delete, repair or replace Windows Media Player 11.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1：Hi,

You might try troubleshooting this matter with a Clean Boot to see if we can pinpoint a program that could be causing a conflict that is preventing Windows Media Player from functioning normally. A Clean Boot allows us to start Windows with certain programs and drivers turned off or on by selection. By doing this through trial-and-error we can hopefully pinpoint a specific cause of this issue. Here is how to troubleshoot with a Clean Boot:

First Step: Perform a Clean Boot

1.       Log on to your computer with an administrative account.

2.       Click Start.

3.       Type "msconfig.exe" in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER to start the "System Configuration Utility" .

4.       If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

5.       In the General tab , click Selective Startup , and then click to uncheck the "Load Startup Items" check box.

6.       On the Services tab , click to select the "Hide all Microsoft services" check box, and then click Disable all.

*NOTE: Following this step lets Microsoft services continue to run. These services include Networking, Plug and Play, Event Logging, Error Reporting, and other services. If you disable these services, you may permanently delete all restore points. Do not do this if you want to use the System Restore utility together with existing restore points.

7.       Click OK, and then click Restart .

Restart the computer and check if you're able to access Windows Media Player in skin mode, If you are able to please continue with the further troubleshooting steps or follow 7the steps to revert the computer to "Normal Start Up"

 

Second Step: Enable Half of the Services

1.       Start the "System Configuration Utility" . Refer to the steps above if you need to see how to do this.

2.       Click the Services Tab , and then click to select the services check "Hide All Microsoft Services" box.

3.       Click to select half of the check boxes in the Service list.

4.       Click OK, and then click Restart.

Third Step: Determine whether the problem returns

If the problem still occurs, repeat the First Step and the Second Step. In the Second Step, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Service list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat the First Step and the Second Step. In the Second Step, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Service list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one service is selected in the Service list, and you still experience the problem, the selected service causes the problem. Go to the Sixth Step . If no service causes this problem, go to the Fourth Step.

Fourth Step: Enable Half of the Startup Items

1.       Perform a clean boot by repeating step 1.

2.       Click the Startup tab , and then click to select half of the check boxes in the Startup Item list.

3.       Click OK, and then click Restart .

Fifth Step: Determine Whether the Problem Returns

If the problem still occurs, repeat the First Step and the Fourth Step. In the Fourth Step, click to clear half of the check boxes that you originally selected in the Startup Item list.

If the problem does not occur, repeat the First Step and the Fourth Step . In the Fourth Step, select only half of the remaining check boxes that are cleared in the Startup Item list. Repeat these steps until you have selected all the check boxes.

If only one startup item is selected in the Startup Item list, and you still experience the problem, the startup item that is selected in the list is the service that is causing the problem. Go to the Sixth Step .

If no startup item causes this problem, a Microsoft service most likely causes the problem. To determine which Microsoft service may be causing the problem, repeat the First Step and the Second Step without selecting the "Hide all Microsoft Services" check box in either step.

Sixth Step: Resolve the Problem

After you determine the startup item or the service that causes the problem, contact the program manufacturer to determine whether the problem can be resolved. Or, run the System Configuration Utility, and then click to clear the check box for the problem item.

Seventh Step: Resolve the Problem .

After you have finished troubleshooting, follow these steps to reset the computer to start as usual:

 

1.           Click Start

2.           Type "msconfig.exe" in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER .

3.           If you are prompted for an administrator password or for confirmation, type your password, or click Continue.

4.           On the General tab , click the "Normal Startup" option, and then click OK.

5.           When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Restart .

  Here is the KB article these steps came from:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/929135    

We look forward to hearing back from you on your results.

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Answer 2：Wow Sunny,

Thank you for the very detailed instructions.  I will keep a copy in my computer file for future reference.

Unfortunately, I didn't get past Step 1.  Even with all of the non-Microsoft startup services disabled, Media Player still froze up as soon as it opened.

This issue is very confusing, because Media Player has always been very reliable.  But the issue arose immediately upon my change from full mode to skin mode.  That seems to be the linchpin.  Unfortunately, because it locks up, I can't change it back to full mode.

At this point, I'd settle for being able to delete the program and re-install, but again, my PC won't let me.

Thanks again Sunny!

Answer 3：I saw another thread that suggested deleting three registry entries.  That didn't work, but since WMP didn't work, I was feeling bold.  So I deleted everything in the registry, including "default".  And guess what?  It worked!  It put me back into full mode, I'll leave the skin mode alone.

Thanks again.