Windows Media Player May Stop Responding or Generate an Error Message When Streaming Media (253798)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7
This article was previously published under Q253798
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 try to stream media by using Microsoft Windows Media Player, you may receive the following error messages:
  • Fatal exception 0E has occurred at 0028:... in VXD UNIMODEM.
    Fatal Exception 0E has occurred at 0028:... in VXD Logger.
    Tapisrv has caused an Invalid Page Fault in module Kernel32.dll.

CAUSE

This issue can occur for any of the following reasons:
  • Direct Cable Connection or Virtual Private Networking is installed on your computer.
  • More than one modem is installed in your computer, or both a modem and a network adapter are installed in your computer.
  • The executable (.exe) file for ActiveSync 3.0 (Wcescomm.exe) is being loaded during startup.

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.


NOTE: This process hard codes your line speed in Windows Media Player and prevents it from checking the current line speed. This issue is generally a result of the driver configuration for the device. Verify that you are using the most current driver available for your device. Typically, it is better to permit Windows Media Player to dynamically detect your line connection speed.

To resolve this issue, override the bandwidth detection logic. To do so, create a new hexadecimal DWORD registry value called "ManualBandwidth" (in bits per second) in the following registry key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Netshow\Player\General

The bandwidth value for the DWORD value should be set to match the download speed of your computer. This can override the Windows Media Player bandwidth detection logic that is used when negotiating bandwidth stream. The value should be set relative to the download bandwidth of the computer, for example:
  • For a 300kbps speed connection, use a hexadecimal value of 493e0.
  • For a 56kbps speed connection, use a hexadecimal value of fa00.
  • For a 256kbps speed connection, use a hexadecimal value of 3e800.
NOTE: It is a good idea to set the bandwidth slightly below the maximum so that you have sufficient bandwidth left over to browse the Web while streaming media.

Note that this article does not apply to Microsoft Windows Media Player 7.1. There is a manual bandwidth selection feature now available in Windows Media Player 7.1 and Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows XP. This feature was added specifically to address this issue. If you change the setting on the Options menu for Media Player, and the problem still occurs, follow again the procedure that is described in this section to confirm that you changed the registry key value correctly. Additionally, make sure you are using the latest version of Windows Media Player. For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

259914 How to Change Connection Speed Information in Media Player 7

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about the interaction between Windows Media Player and the dynamic detection of bandwidth, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

253642 Media Player Bandwidth Detection on Hybrid Internet Connection


Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/29/2003
Keywords:kbenv kberrmsg kbprb KB253798
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.