Windows Media Player 12 - DRM issue

[strugglinauthor]

Hi David,

Yes and it doesn't work. To further illustrate this, my problems all started when I tried to play a file I'd originally downloaded from the BBC onto my old laptop (Vista and Media Player 10) and it wouldn't work when I copied it onto the new one.  I did wonder if I could acquire the DRM license on a different machine and then copy it across but I understand that the way DRM works is that it needs to acquire the DRM on the machine on which it is due to be played.

Rgds

Keith

[DavidPK]

Hi Keith,

You're completely correct regarding how DRM works.

Try the following and let me know.

Hold down the Windows key and press R.  In to the Run box type msconfig and hit enter.  In the System Configuration window, click the Start up tab, remove the tick next to each start up item apart from IDT PC Audio and then click Apply to make the change.  Restart the notebook for this change to take effect and try playing the file.

Whether the file plays or not, go back to the System Configuration window, re-enable your start-up items, click Apply and restart again to make the change take effect.

Regards,

DP-K

[strugglinauthor]

Hi David,

Same result I'm afraid...

Rgds

Keith

[strugglinauthor]

Hi David,

I've just found this where someone appears to be having an identical problem to me, particularly in that their WMP plays non DRM files OK.  Unfortunately the solution link has been removed but I believe we have already gone down the DRM reset route anyway.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/mbiplayer/NF2563490/NF8035762?thread=7990990

Rgds

Keith

[DavidPK]

Hi Keith,

I hadn't realised how many people seem to have this same issue and most suggestions relate to resetting the DRM.

Open WMP, click Tools amd select Options.  Select the performance tab - under the sub-heading 'DVD and video playback' which of the 4 entries are ticked?

Also, from the All Programs list, right click WMP and select 'Run as Administrator', then try playing the file - any difference?

Regards,

DP-K

[strugglinauthor]

Hi David,

Options ticked are:-

Use video smoothing

Display full screen controls

Turn on DirectX Video Acceleration for WMV files

When I run as administrator I get the message 'Server Execeution Failed'.  I'm sure the last time I tried this I got that strange blocking/flashing effect.

I'm now convinced that this is a DRM issue.  I have downloaded a (trial) version of a DRM removal tool, which is apparently legal, from iSkysoft.  When I try to remove DRM from the BBC file it comes up with an authorization error.  The way the software works is that it checks you have downloaded a valid licence in place before it removes it.  The authorization error means that such a licence does not exist.  The text on the Help Forum says :-

"The DRM Removal only supports converting files with valid authorization. If the authorization of the DRM files is out of date or set improperly on computer, it would be impossible for the program to convert."

Rgds

Keith

[DavidPK]

Hi Keith,

I've got to say, I'm starting to run out of ideas here

Could you try the following and let me know.

Although you're running a 64bit OS, WMP defaults to running the 32bit version for compatibility.  To run the 64bit version of WMP, click the Start Menu, open Computer and open Local Disk C.  Open Program Files - not Program Files (x86) - open Windows Media Player and double click the application file wmplayer ( 9th from the bottom with a file size of 164Kb ).

This should initially connect to the internet, so leave it for a minute before seeing if the file will play.

Regards,

DP-K

[strugglinauthor]

Hi David,

Tried it - and I think you know what I'm going to say...

To further prove this is a DRM issue I played a downloaded BBC file on my old laptop to acquire its licence.  Then I loaded the iSkysoft removal software and stripped off the DRM (it only gives an output file 1 minute long as it is evaluation software).  I then copied the output file to my new PC and hey presto, it worked.

I appreciate you have put a lot of hard work into this - and so many thanks for that - but as you say, we've tried just about everything.  If I want to get to the bottom of it, is it something Microsoft are likely to be interested in?  I initially looked on their site before going to the HP forum but Microsoft warned me they would charge!

Rgds

Keith.

[strugglinauthor]

Hi David,

As mentioned, this problem seems pretty widespread - http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-pictures/cannot-play-wma-songs-on-windows...

One thing I have noticed is that the problems always seem associated  with WMP12.  I wonder if it might help to uninstall WMP12 and go back to WMP11?  I understand from a nose around on the net that WMP 11 is compatible with Windows 7.  If this is a runner, do you have a link where I can download it from?

Thanks

Keith.

[DavidPK]

Hi Keith,

I would say it's definitely worth a shot.

There is a good downgrade guide on My Digital Life on the link below - note, you can use 'Take Ownership' to grant the necessary file permissions.

http://www.mydigitallife.info/how-to-downgrade-windows-media-player-12-to-install-wmp-11-on-windows-...

Regards,

DP-K