"The Cdralw2k Service Failed to Start" Error Message When You Install Windows Media Player 7.0 (317224)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
This article was previously published under Q317224
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 Player 7.0 on a Windows NT 4.0-based computer and then restart the computer, you may receive the following error message:
The Cdralw2k service failed to start due to the following error: The system cannot find the file specified.

CAUSE

The behavior occurs because Windows Media Player 7.0 is not supported in Windows NT 4.0 or Microsoft Windows 95.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, uninstall Windows Media Player 7.0 by using the Add/Remove Programs tool in Control Panel, and then install Windows Media Player 6.4.

If you are unable to uninstall Windows Media Player 7.0 by using Add/Remove Programs, manually remove Windows Media Player 7.0, and then install Windows Media Player 6.4. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Start Windows Explorer, and then locate and delete the following files:

    C:\winnt\wmplibrary_v_0_12
    C:\winnt\system\wmplenc.dll
    C:\winnt\system\wmpui.dll
    C:\winnt\system\wmp.ocx
    C:\winnt\system\wmploc.dll
    C:\winnt\system\wmpcore.dll
    C:\winnt\system\wmpcd.dll
    C:\winnt\system\wmpscheme.xml
    C:\winnt\inf\wmp.inf
    C:\winnt\help\wmplayer.chm
    C:\program files\windows media player\wmplayer.exe

  2. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).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.

  3. Locate and select the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\WMP7

  4. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm.
  5. Locate and select the following registry subkey:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Active Setup\Installed Components\{6BF52A52-394A-11d3-B153-00C04F79FAA6}

    NOTE: The preceding registry key is one path; it has been wrapped for readability.

  6. On the Edit menu, click Delete, and then click Yes to confirm.
  7. Quit Registry Editor.
  8. Download and install Windows Media Player 6.4. To do this, browse to the following Microsoft Web site:

    http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/25/2006
Keywords:kberrmsg kbprb ocsso KB317224
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