Semi-OT: #$%@# MS Media Player

fldave wrote on 4/27/2007, 9:30 PM
Sorry, but the rant begins. I'm trying to preview .wmv files created out of Vegas in MS Media Player, and my Media Player interface is locked onto my lower Windows task bar.

Can't expand it like a normal application, only toggle from a normal minimized app to a tiny VCR-like player. Audio files show the animated graphics, only in a postage stamp size. WMV files play in a similar sized postage stamp video interface.

Nothing works to return WMP to a real "application" like I'm used to. Right click, left click, ALT everything, CTL everything: notjhing works to bring up the previous standard interface.

If this is a virus, someone went to a lot of work. Did this happen some time ago, and I'm just realizing it? I always manually download and apply MS updates, and haven't for over a month.

Any help in figuring out this new interface would be helpful.

I'll try a screen shot of that part of my desktop:


Comments

fldave wrote on 4/27/2007, 9:56 PM
I've discovered that it is called "mini-mode" and to turn it off, you right-click the Task Bar, select the Toolbars menu, then uncheck Windows Media Player, and it will revert to full application mode.

Except it isn't. Still locked in postage stamp size, even after reboot.
TheHappyFriar wrote on 4/27/2007, 10:05 PM
coooooooool. :) well, not for you, but it looks cool as someone whom it isn't happening to. :)
I just messed with the program & you're in "mini mode."

To get out click on the WMP "play" logo (in the lower left of the player).
UlfLaursen wrote on 4/27/2007, 10:10 PM
Hi Dave,

Sorry, but I only have danish versions of WMP, so it might not be fully correctly translated.

I messed arround in the help file (F1) to try and find something for you.
I have a topic called "playback og music and video". Sub to this there is a topic called "change player size and view". The first topic underneath there says "change of window condition" . I think you might find a clue down there.

If I find more, I'll post again...hope you get it sorted out.

/Ulf
fldave wrote on 4/27/2007, 11:22 PM
It was cool, I used it for half the day today. Trouble is that I can't get out of it. Now I can't even get it back to the state that you see in the pic above, just a minimized button on the task bar. No video, no VCR buttons, nothing except minimize (what the hell do you call the current state?), maximize or restore (does nothing), close (that works!).

Don't you love innovation?

Have to spend tomorrow digging through the help files( thanks Ulf). I checked the online MS FAQ, but nothing it recommended would respond to changes.

fldave wrote on 4/27/2007, 11:25 PM
"To get out click on the WMP "play" logo"

Thanks, but it did nothing for me. Clicked it 20 times different ways. Now the interface shown in the original pic is gone, and can't get it back.

Does VLC Media Player play wmv?
craftech wrote on 4/28/2007, 6:07 AM
Does VLC Media Player play wmv?
========
VLC Media player will play anything you throw at it, but have you tried this Microsoft help page?

John
fldave wrote on 4/28/2007, 6:27 AM
Thanks, John, yes I've tried everything on that page except the reinstall part.

Reinstall here I go. Geeesh.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 4/28/2007, 7:08 AM

Yeah, I had problems with the newest MP when I installed months ago, so many that went back to MP 10.

fldave wrote on 4/28/2007, 7:08 AM
Ok, I'm back. Reinstall of WMP did nothing. System Restore got a failure (I need to look into that one!)

I reinstalled my nVidia drivers and all is well now. Maybe something to do with multi-monitor desktop? I couldn't see anything on the second monitor through out all of this.

I think I'll give VLC media player a try anyway.

Thanks, all!
TGS wrote on 4/28/2007, 12:04 PM
system restore failure could possibly be a virus. That's one of the latest tricks virus designers have learned