Network traffic increases when folders are monitored after you upgrade to Windows Media Player 9 Series (836073)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows 2000
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows XP
  • Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series for Windows Server 2003

SYMPTOMS

After you upgrade to Microsoft Windows Media Player 9 Series, network activity to backend servers may be increased. On the backend servers, an administrator may also notice increased CPU utilization.

CAUSE

Windows Media Player 9 Series can automatically monitor media folders for changes in content.

By default, the player monitors the My Music folder that is used for copying music.

When Group Policy redirects the home folder of a user to a network share, the behavior of the player while monitoring folders causes increased network traffic to the redirected folder. Additionally, certain checks occur in the player to make sure that the Copy Music path is valid.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, Microsoft recommends that the client not monitor content that is located in folders that are located on universal naming convention (UNC) shared resources.

This recommendation not to monitor content includes the Copy Music folder because that folder might be redirected. Additionally, Microsoft recommends that you direct the Copy Music folder to a location on the local computer that the user has access to. This redirection will prevent extra network traffic being generated by the player when the player checks for the existence of this location.

Change the following registry keys:
  • HKEY_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\TrackFoldersUseRipDir

    REG_DWORD with a value of 0x0. This turns off the monitoring of the Copy Music folder.
  • HKEY_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\TrackFoldersDirectories

    REG_DWORD with a value of 0x0. This clears out all the folders from the monitor list.
  • HKEY_Current_User\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Preferences\CDRecordPath

    REG_SZ with a value of a local path. This sets the Copy Music directory to a local path.

STATUS

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

If a user or an administrator changes the Copy Music folder to a location where the user does not have access, the player uses the My Music folder.

If the My Documents folder has been redirected to a shared folder on a server, the My Music folder is also redirected. If you review a network trace, you may see clients constantly querying the shared folder on the server by using the following packet:

SMB C transact2 Query path info, File = \DATA\UserName\My Documents\My Music ClientIPaddress ServerIPaddress

For more information about how to monitor folders or how to copy music, see the Windows Media Player 9 Series Help documentation.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB836073 kbAudDeveloper kbAudITPRO
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.