PRB: WMP 6.4 Leaks Virtual Memory (325604)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 6.4

This article was previously published under Q325604

SYMPTOMS

When you view a multicast stream by using Windows Media Player 6.4, you may receive the following error message:
Your system is running low on virtual memory. Please close some applications. You can then start the System option in the Control Panel and choose the Virtual Machine button to create an additional page file or to increase the size of your current paging file.

CAUSE

Windows Media Player buffers data before it begins to play back content. By default, the player buffers 3 seconds of data. Some sounds card are not fast enough to keep the buffer from growing too large, so the player pauses streaming until the buffer is reduced. This is called "slow skip" mode. A condition exists where the player can enter slow skip mode and not exit for a long time, which means that the player is no longer streaming, but the player is still playing. When the player exits slow skip mode, a leak may result because the player does not enter slow skip mode again, which means it buffers until it uses up all of the virtual memory on the computer.

RESOLUTION

Upgrade to a newer version of the Windows Media Player.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows Media Player 6.4.

MORE INFORMATION


Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:7/29/2002
Keywords:kbprb KB325604