WMP 12 (Windows 7) won't play WRM'd WMA files

Herb,

I see that you wrote this post a few months ago. Do you have any better
answers yet? I am having the same problem and have exhausted all my searches
on the net.

Thanks!
Joanly

"Herb Tyson [MVP]" wrote:

> I download books from my local library (using Overdrive Media
> Console)--licensed for three weeks. I can then upload them to my mp3 player,
> and they work fine. When I use the identical process in Vista, they work
> just fine.
>
> However, on my desktop running Windows 7, a WMP 12 window appears, and I
> quickly get:
>
> Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file
>
> When I click Web Help in that window, it takes me here:
>
> http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/C00D11B1
>
> I don't see any usable clues there. The sound card and drivers are fine. No
> yellow anywhere in the Device Manager, and no problems playing non WRM'd WMA
> files from other sources, or WMA files that I create.
>
> Overdrive Media Console cannot play these files in Windows 7 either, and
> neither can VLC (VLC produces a clicking noise, and Overdrive just sits
> there (when I click Play, the green play arrow returns very quickly and the
> track time does not advance)--neither gives any kind of error message
> whatsoever.
>
> Since files play just fine when using the identical process in Vista, I'm
> guessing that something is missing from Windows 7... but what? And how do I
> fix it?
>
>
>

Amazing. I have the same problem also. I haven't tried reinstalling audio
drivers yet, though.

"JoanlySl" wrote:

> Herb,
>
> I see that you wrote this post a few months ago. Do you have any better
> answers yet? I am having the same problem and have exhausted all my searches
> on the net.
>
> Thanks!
> Joanly
>
> "Herb Tyson [MVP]" wrote:
>
> > I download books from my local library (using Overdrive Media
> > Console)--licensed for three weeks. I can then upload them to my mp3 player,
> > and they work fine. When I use the identical process in Vista, they work
> > just fine.
> >
> > However, on my desktop running Windows 7, a WMP 12 window appears, and I
> > quickly get:
> >
> > Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file
> >
> > When I click Web Help in that window, it takes me here:
> >
> > http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/C00D11B1
> >
> > I don't see any usable clues there. The sound card and drivers are fine. No
> > yellow anywhere in the Device Manager, and no problems playing non WRM'd WMA
> > files from other sources, or WMA files that I create.
> >
> > Overdrive Media Console cannot play these files in Windows 7 either, and
> > neither can VLC (VLC produces a clicking noise, and Overdrive just sits
> > there (when I click Play, the green play arrow returns very quickly and the
> > track time does not advance)--neither gives any kind of error message
> > whatsoever.
> >
> > Since files play just fine when using the identical process in Vista, I'm
> > guessing that something is missing from Windows 7... but what? And how do I
> > fix it?
> >
> >
> >

I'm having an impossible time with this particular issue.

I have installed Overdrive Media Console repeatedly, as well as the Windows Media DRM Upgrade, all to no luck.

Have uninstalled/reinstalled WMP12 using Programs and Features, to no luck.

I do not have an Audigy soundcard, so that isn't the issue. I have no problem using it on my desktop computer which has Windows 7 64 bit installed, with WMP12.

Thank you for any assistance

Hi folks.

Just found an answer on another site, and it worked for me! WMP12 now plays the test wma file, and Overdrive Media Console now plays the files that you can download from your library. Tested on audiobook, music, and video.

The answer was to change a key in the registry. Start Menu/type regedit/hit enter. Look for this key. Change from 1 to 00000000

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Audio\
"DisableProtectedAudioDG"=dword:00000000

After this reboot.

Hope this helps others that have searched high and low for an answer.