# My Apologies... Windows Media Player Help Needed **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 22, 2004, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-apologies-windows-media-player-help-needed/251556 "2004-06-22T02:17:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-apologies-windows-media-player-help-needed/251556/1 "2004-06-22T02:17:59Z")
I’m sure this is the last thing you want to read. I’ve tried to search for the answer, but nothing in the archives fits this problem. When I try to play a video file, I get a message from Win Media Player saying: “Windows Media Player cannot play this file. Connect to the Internet or insert the removable media on which the file is located, and then try to play the file again” Uh, why can’t it play? I dumped Win Media Player and then downloaded/ reinstalled. It’s set up as default for all media types. I just can’t figure this one out. Again, sorry for another computer question. And thanks for your patience. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-apologies-windows-media-player-help-needed/251556/2 "2004-06-22T02:31:43Z")
It would help _a lot_ if you provided info. For example, if you had a .ra file that you were trying (somehow) to play via MS-MP, then you could get an error message similar to that. But basically, given the info in the OP, there’s no way to tell. ---
**Author:** ![AZCowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/97f17d/32.png) [@AZCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AZCowboy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-apologies-windows-media-player-help-needed/251556/3 "2004-06-22T02:43:40Z")
Could [this](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326680) help? ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-apologies-windows-media-player-help-needed/251556/4 "2004-06-22T02:44:06Z")
::face burns with embarrassment:: I’m sorry. It’s any type of video format. I can play MP3s saved to my hard drive, as well as CDs just fine. This is actually what I was trying to view: [http://www.yankeeflipper.com/droll/index.cfm](http://www.yankeeflipper.com/droll/index.cfm) I clicked the right button by the way. I’ve tried to view other video clips and that same message pops up, giving me the finger. ---
**Author:** ![AZCowboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/97f17d/32.png) [@AZCowboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AZCowboy)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-apologies-windows-media-player-help-needed/251556/5 "2004-06-22T02:46:21Z")
Or [this](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;838101)? ---
**Author:** ![Kitchen\_Wench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f08c70/32.png) [@Kitchen\_Wench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kitchen_Wench)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2004, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-apologies-windows-media-player-help-needed/251556/6 "2004-06-22T02:56:07Z")
> [@AZCowboy](#): > > Or [this](http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;838101)? Oh. My. God. I’m the world’s biggest idiot. Of course I was looking for something more complex than checking a damned box. Dude, I owe you a beer. **ftg** & **AZCowboy** , thank you for not verbally rolling your eyes at me.