red x when trying to view web clips

hi guys! just reacently i have discovered a problem when i try to view a web clip through IE. instead of the video playing i get a blank square with a red x top let corner. i can download the clip to view it but why will the clip just not play. i never had this problem before. it's not just on one site it's every site i try. im using IE 6 & XP i have downloaded the windows codecs still not playing. anyone with any advice?? thanx.

 

>> Just recently I have discovered a problem when I try to view a web clip through IE. Instead of the video playing I get a blank square with a red x top let corner. << wildwolf220

This problem is not uncommon and could be caused by a few different reasons; however it is usually caused by using an older outdated [or perhaps even corrupted] digital media player. I had this problem [which was similar to yours] years ago while using Quicktime. I was using an older computer and because I rarely watch video on the web; when I finally tried to view a video - no video would play.

At first I thought maybe the website [where the video was available] might be the problem - however whenever I tried to click on other movie links on other sites, no video played on any of them either. In my case, it was a pretty easy 'fix' - as it turned out - all I needed was the newer version upgrade.

Anyway, here's what I'd do if I were you: If you are currently using QuickTime: You might try to updating the version that you're using [Upgrades to QuickTime 7 Player are free]. If that doesn't work you might try to uninstall then reinstall the player.

If you're not using QuickTime, you should try visiting the website of whatever digital media player you are using [or try the HELP file included with it].

Related Note: For anyone reading this having the same problem except with pictures and images - not videos, [as stated by the original poster] you should try this link: Why don't pictures show when I visit websites?

 

thank you for you'r reply. i have never had quicktime player on my pc. i never needed it to view clips through IE before. the problem only started the past week. the problem started when i tried to view a clip and it said i had'nt got the correct codecs to view it. i downloaded the ones it told me to and got the spy falcon spyware instead. so could it be possible the codecs i downloaded could be the problem? im gereatful for any help. thank you

 

Just a few things you might check.

1. Delete your Temporary Internet Files.

2. Click the Tools menu, click Internet Options, choose the Advanced tab, and confirm that both Show Pictures and Play Animations In Web pages (under Multimedia) have check marks. If not, select their checkboxes and click OK.

3. Also, check the settings for your firewall and pop-up/ad-blocking software you might have installed. You can temporarily disable them to see if it solves the problem.

Steve

 

>> The problem only started the past week. The problem started when I tried to view a clip and it said I hadn't got the correct codecs to view it. I downloaded the ones it told me to and got the spy falcon spyware instead. So could it be possible the codecs I downloaded could be the problem?<< wildwolf220

Yes, that might very well be the cause of problem here... [I'm not entirely sure, but who knows]. Have you removed the spyware yet? Just to be sure: Try using Ad-Aware SE Personal [which is freeware] as it will likely find any "spy falcon" or any other spyware you might have, detect them and remove them as well.

Since you're using Win XP, you most likely have some version of "Windows Media Player" installed.

If running Ad-Aware SE Personal doesn't help you with the codex problem - you might want to consider "uninstalling" whatever Windows Media Player version that you're currently running - and then "reinstall" Windows Media Player 10

Important Note: As a precaution make sure to Create a System Restore Point before you download and then install anything onto your computer. This will allow you to return your computer settings to the state your PC was in - prior to downloading.

 

ok guys! i have checked internet options advanced tab and everything that should be ticked is. i got rid of spy falcon so spyware aint the cause of this. i went to add or remove programs to uninstall the windows media player so i could install it again but it was'nt on the list. if i go to start all programs it is listed there but there is no uninstall option. how do i uninstall it????

 

Do you have CCleaner?
If so, check on the Tools tab...Uninstall.
It lists a lot of programs that for some reason aren't listed in Add/Remove
Then you can uninstall it from there.
Hope this helps

 

>>I went to add or remove programs to uninstall the windows media player so I could install it again but it wasn’t on the list. If I go to start all programs it is listed there but there is no uninstall option. How do I uninstall it? <<wildwolf220

Sorry about this but misspoke; in my last post to you. You do not have to 'uninstall first.' You can just go ahead and reinstall Windows Media Player by going to the link listed below.

To make sure that you have all of the codecs that are currently supported, you can 'reinstall' Windows Media Player. To do so, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Windows Media Download Center

Related Note for anyone with Windows Media Player issues who may be viewing this thread:

Microsoft users can disable, reinstall or upgrade WMP but users cannot entirely uninstall it because of the way it's designed. According to Microsoft, you cannot completely remove it because Windows Media Player is an integral part of Windows itself and therefore cannot be removed entirely. It's used in Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer, and with pretty much every other part of Windows that uses media.

Warning: There are some 'hacks' out there on the web that 'claim' to be able to remove or uninstall WMP [through registry edits, etc.], however even if someone tied to hack around and uninstall it all the way, they'd likely not be happy with the way the system ran after that, because many things would no longer function properly as WMP is an integral part of Windows.

 

problem solved! i reinstalled windows media 10 and everything is working fine now. thank you for all you'r help! you guys are fantastic. keep up the good work.

 

>> Problem solved! I reinstalled windows media 10 and everything is working fine now. Thank you for all your help! You guys are fantastic. << wildwolf220

Anytime, wildwolf! Great to hear you were able to fix the problem...

The cleaner which Toni mentioned: CCleaner is available right here at Major Geeks. If you haven't already installed it; you should definitely give it a try. It is especially helpful for anyone who installs/reinstalls or removes programs on a regular basis.

It also offers several options like removing registry entries that go nowhere and works wonders removing other various program 'leftovers' that are obsolete, or aren't listed in Add/Remove after you attempt to uninstall programs and utilities. You can also CCleaner to get rid of the "hidden" temporary files and other junk files from your system and free up even more space.