Windows Media Player Unaccessable

I am using Vista Home Premium on a Hewlett Packard laptop. Recently, I started having problems with Windows media player. It appears to need reinstalling.

I get the message "windows cannot access the specified device, path, or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item". I checked the permissions in the security tab and everything is allowed. I noticed that the icon for the media player is not there, instead there is that generic windows icon for a program.

I was trying to uninstall the player, in order to reinstall it, but I get the same message.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

Thank you plodr.

I ran the scan, then followed the instructions.
After entering the command prompts, the edit screen came up blank. The cmd screen had flashed after I entered the first line to determine if there were files that could not be repaired.

Upon entering the edit command the "edit sfcdetails.txt" the blue edit screen came up blank.

I have had to reset the permissions on my music, video and other folders. I did the same with the WMP, but it seems to not be accessible.

Thanks for your help.

Melissa

 

here is a utility you can try,if that doesn't work there are more advanced instruction available linked on the same page.
" WMP Utility v 1.0. This freeware portable app re-registers all the concerned Windows Media dll files required for the smooth functioning of Windows Media Player. "
http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-windows-media-player-with-fix-wmp-utility

 

Thanks Plodr and pistol,

I do have VLC for videos, but I have never tried it for music. I have a Sony mp3 player which worked with the WMP.

Trying to run it as administrator doesn't work, but I will try the other suggestions.

Thanks again.

Melissa