Error Message: Couldn't Install Windows Media Station Service (263634)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows Media Services 4.0
Microsoft Windows Media Services 4.1
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP5
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP6a

This article was previously published under Q263634

IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SYMPTOMS

When you install Windows Media Services, you may receive the following error message:

Couldn't Install Windows Media Station Service

CAUSE

During the installation of Windows Media Services, some files require that NTFS 8.3 file names are available. Windows Media Services fails to install if the following registry key has been altered:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem

RESOLUTION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
Locate the NtfsDisable8dot3NameCreation value under the following registry key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem
On the Edit menu, click Modify, type 0, and then click OK.
Quit Registry Editor.
Restart the computer.

MORE INFORMATION

After you have successfully installed Windows Media Services, you can change the registry key back to its original value. Once Windows Media Services is installed, it does not rely on this registry key.

Modification Type:	Major	Last Reviewed:	11/26/2003
Keywords:	kbpending kbprb KB263634