Instead of waiting for one of your peer's to have free time to reply to your
post it's always a good idea to search the newsgroup for the answer.  Google
Groups will let you do this in seconds.

All you have to do is goto http://tinyurl.com/26bqj.  Type in your error
code or error text you get (Spelling Counts) and select "Search only in
microsoft.public.windowsmedia.player.*"  Then press enter.  You will
generally see a few dozens of results based on your specific problem.

*Narrowing down your search is the next step in this small process.*

TIP: The two main contributors to this newsgroups are me, and Zach.  Since
our replies make up a high percentage of the total it is a good idea to
narrow down your search to posts with just replies from Zach and/or Me.

To do so type "Your Error+zachd" or "Your Error+Chris Lanier" (Spelling
Counts and *No Quotes*)

Example: The error code you get is "C00D11F8", so search for "C00D11F8+Chris
Lanier" (No Quotes).  The page you get is as follows,
http://tinyurl.com/38uua.  You will see that the first or second post will
generally have a solution or a post saying that more information need's to
be supplied in order to help.

NOTE: It's always a good idea to look at more then one post when searching.
If you notice that the replies to the original question just asks questions
to the original poster it generally means that we have not seen enough
information on the specific error to provide a good answer in the
newsgroups.

TIP:  Error codes from WMP only have Hexadecimal characters in them.  So
there are not O's (Letter O/o), It's a 0 (Number Zero).  If you search for
"COOD11F8" you will generally get less results then if you search for
""C00D11F8"

If you are not getting anywhere when search then post in the newsgroups then
try searching all of Google Groups or take out the +<Insert Name>.  If that
still doesn't do anything for you...

Then at that point you should know that providing information about your
problem is key to getting a good reply in the newsgroup.  Before posting
please read http://tinyurl.com/2o4h9 so we don't have to drill you for
information over and over again. :)

Final Note:  When posting in the newsgroups you need to remember that it is
no ones job to reply to any post in the newsgroups.  You are posting in a
peer supported newsgroup.  Posts are replied to upon other individuals
schedule.  There is no official support from Microsoft here.  So statements
such as "Hey, Microsoft", "Fix your f***** software!"  will not get you any
help.

If you wish to speak directly to Microsoft Product Support Service please
see the link that follows...
http://tinyurl.com/36lmt.

--General WMP Help and Support Links--

Windows Media Player: WMP mini FAQ
http://www.nwlink.com/~zachd/pss/pss.html

Troubleshooting Windows Media Player Error Messages
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/player/playerer...

Windows XP - Digital Media Articles:
http://www.updatexp.com/main-index.html#mulitmedia

--
Chris Lanier
Microsoft MVP - Digital Media
---