Unable to Play MIDI Files after Uninstalling Music Programs (255543)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 5.2
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.0
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.1
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.2
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 7
This article was previously published under Q255543
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

If you uninstall music programs that play Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) files, and then browse to a Web page that has embedded MIDI sound, the audio from the MIDI files may not play.

CAUSE

When music programs install, they may change the Content Type values for the .mid or .midi files, or they may use their own Content Type for these files. If the music programs are uninstalled, the original Content Type may not be restored to the default.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, do the following:

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.


  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedit.exe).
  2. Locate the Content Type value under the following key in the registry:

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.mid

  3. Double-click the Content Type value. For the Value Data, type the following:

    audio/mid

    Click OK.
  4. Repeat the process for the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.midi registry key, using the audio/mid value.
  5. Quit Registry Editor.

MORE INFORMATION

The Beatnik 2.0 player is known to change the Content Type for the .mid registry value (application/x-mimetype), but does not change it back to the Windows default (audio/mid) when it is uninstalled.
The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/26/2003
Keywords:kbpending kbprb kbsound KB255543
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.