When I installed Windows Media Player 9, my computer stopped playing audio CDs. That's right, the whole PC. Not only could I not play audio CDs in Media Player, I also couldn't play them in RealPlayer, Winamp, or Roxio Audio Central.
This happened last September, and, despite well over two dozen hours spent researching the problem, I haven't been able to fix it. And, from what I read on the newsgroups, many of you are having the same problem.
When trying to play an audio CD under Media Player 9, I was greeted by this error: Windows Media Player cannot play this file. Connect to the Internet or insert the removable media on which the file is located then try to play the file again.
It also gave me this error code: 0xC00D1197: Cannot play the file
Being the diligent techie that I am, I immediately went to Microsoft's support site and searched for the error message and code. Microsoft does cover the problem, and the solution seems to work for some people, but alas, it didn't work for me.
Microsoft at fault?
Is this Microsoft's problem? Since it seems to coincide with installing WMP 9, I think it's safe to wager that it is. If that's the case, however, no one in India (which is where the Microsoft customer support team is based) seems to realize it. I spent a total of six hours on the phone talking to three different tech support specialists, and nobody could solve the snafu.
To resolve this issue the way Microsoft suggests on its Web site, create a new library index file by following these directions:
1. Remove any audio CDs, and then close Windows Media Player.
2. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Folder Options.
3. Click View, click Advanced Options, and then click Show Hidden Files and Folders.
4. Locate the following folder: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Index. By default, the \Application Data\ folder is hidden. (Note: In some cases the index file may be located in a different folder. If you don't find the index file at this location, or if this folder doesn't exist on your computer, click Start, click Search, and then search for the Wmplibrary_v_0_12. db file.)
5. Right-click the Wmplibrary_v_0_12. db file, then click Rename.
6. Type Wmplibrary_v_0_12.OLD to rename the file.
7. Insert an audio CD, and then start Windows Media Player if it does not start automatically.
If that didn't work, you may still be in luck. The following solutions didn't work for me, but they have worked for other users having the same problems. Please note that using these solutions will require you to edit the registry, which can be dangerous to the health and well-being of your PC. Use with caution!
1. Click Start, click RUN, and then type REGEDIT at the command prompt
2. Locate "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ MediaResources\mci"
3. Delete "cdaudio"
4. Reboot
If that doesn't work, try this:
1. Click Start, click RUN, and then type REGEDIT at the command prompt
2. Locate "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\MCI32"
3. Add this: CDAudio=mcicda.dll
4. Reboot
Last but not least, make sure your ASPI layer is installed correctly. The quickest and easiest way to do this is to download and install ASPI Check from Adaptec.com >www.adaptec.com/worldwide/ support/driverdetail.html?filekey= aspi_v471.exe< or one of the many other available sources on the Web.
The program will check to make sure your ASPI layer is installed correctly and, if it isn't, reinstall the newest version (4.71) for you.
Another program, ForceASPI >www. radified.com/ASPI/forceaspi.htmedit@computeruser. com
