Multimedia

To be fully media Compliant these days I run WMP,Real Audio(RA)(RealOne,DivX and Apple Quicktime(AQT).Many people complain about any or all of these programs taking over their media file associations but that's silly.When you install these programs take the time to decide what media files you want them to play.These can be changed also from within the program's settings later.For example.I only use AQT to play .avi files so I un-check all it's other media file associations.Then I never see it again until needed.You can un-install and re-install the programs to do this as well.Always clean the Registry after installing any of these programs or un-installing and re-installing them.

Problems

The biggest gripe most people have is that they have installed one of the above programs and it's taken over their Media File.Sorry but this is usually,"Your" fault,not the programs.You clicked through the install too fast or after the event have not de-selected the file types you,"Don't" want in each of the programs settings.
Not to worry though as there are many ways of sorting this out as per my intro but here's some info on how to get control as sometimes it's not,"Your" fault as windows may have got confused(Really?I hear you say{grin} :D

Taking Control

1:De-select the file type( say an .mp3) in all the media programs.
2:Windows Start Icon bottom left/Right Click/Explore/View/Folder Options/File type.
3:Go down the list on the left to the file type.In this example .mp3 format sound
4:Highlight the File and then choose the Remove option.
5:Ok your way out.
6:Go find an .mp3 file and double click on it.
You should now be presented a list of the programs you can use to open it.Choose what you want and if the program is not there in the list navigate/browse to where the program is on your hard drive.
Note:When you are at 5 above you can if you want choose the,"Edit" option and choose the program you want.
Also you may get away with,"NOT"de-selecting the file type in all the media programs but it's best to if you can :)

Last but not least
Most of these Media programs are free but do have a price.They can add boot up options that are not needed and launch themselves into the taskbar only to Advertize themselves,use resources and cause problems.Visit my Startup Page and get Mike Linn's,"Startup Control Panel" and disable all the loading options of these and other programs you don't need loading on bootup.
Another thing is that some of them may at some point try to track your usage.To stop this so download,install,run,"Spybot" and immunize your system from,"Spyware" and like your Anti-virus program keep it updated!See my Good Housekeeping page for links and info

Ms Media player
Apple Quick Time(Get the stand lone version so you don't have to stay connected to the Internet once it's downloaded.The file was QuickTimeInstaller.zip
Real Audio/RealOne Player
DivX(Needed for some AVIs)

Shep's Help

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