Cannot Print When Streaming Media in Windows Media Player 6.4 (258590)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q258590
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 print to a local printer while you are streaming media in Windows Media Player 6.4, you may receive the following error message:
Cannot print to LPT1 the port is in use by another product.

CAUSE

This issue can occur if the streaming media is using dynamic bandwidth as it plays.

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.


IMPORTANT: This process configures your line speed in Windows Media Player, and prevents it from checking the current line speed.

To work around this issue, configure Windows Media Player to prevent it from checking the current line speed:

NOTE: You may want to set the bandwidth value slightly below the maximum possible value so that you have sufficient bandwidth left over to browse the Web when you are streaming media.

Create a new hexadecimal DWORD registry value named "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 setting overrides the Windows Media Player bandwidth detection process that is used when negotiating bandwidth stream. Because of this, 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.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about adding a DWord value, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

253798 Windows Media Player May Hang or Generate an Error Message When Streaming Media

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbprb KB258590
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