media player wont load

My media player isn't starting up and it was suggested that I turn off and then on my media features box in windows features. When I did this it started up again but it has refused to work again. Interestingly the media features box is blue which means that one or some sub features are turned off. However all three features are ticked. So why is the box blue and why does my media player keep refusing to play?

Hi susie and welcome to Seven Forums.

It's possible that there are damaged or corrupt system files that are preventing all of the media features to function properly and that's why you're seeing a blue box. If this problem just recently started you might be able to use a system restore point to roll back your computer to a date/time prior to the media issues.

System Restore

If this doesn't fix things (or if you don't have any restore points) you could try running a System File Checker scan from an elevated command prompt (Option Two.)

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

If SFC could not fix something, then run the command again to see if it may be able to the next time. As the Note in Option Two states, sometimes it may take running the sfc /scannow command 3 or more times to completely fix everything it can

I tried to do a system restore and it came up with an error number saying it couldn't perform one. Thanks for your reply but I do not understand the terminology "elevated command prompt option 2".

I did however do this prior to receiving your reply.....I right clicked on my computer, clicked properties and from tools told it to schedule a check disc. It started to do it and when I returned a couple of hours later it had completed and restarted the computer. There were no error messages so I am assuming it checked and fixed any errors.

I looked to see if the media player was still there and it was. However this has happened before and so I did virus and ad scans, I use Superantispyware and Malwarebytes and I thought everything should be ok, but no, the media player refused to work the second time.

Having now done a check disc I am hoping things are sorted but if there is anything more you think I should do I would be very grateful to know how to! Thanks a lot.

I do not understand the terminology "elevated command prompt option 2".

If you open (click on) the SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker link you'll see three options pertaining to the System File Checker scan. Option Two explains to how run the scan from an elevated command prompt.

From what you've described (getting an error when trying to run system restore, and having issues with the media player) I still think you may have damaged system files. Running check disk tries to correct any errors physically associated with the hard drive. It doesn't necessarily correct errors associated with programs or software that are on the hard drive. Running a System File Checker scan would hopefully repair your media player.

* From your desktop, click the start button. You should see a blinking cursor in the bottom box called "Search programs and files"

* Type in the letters cmd and your start menu should change to a single option at the top called cmd.exe

* Right-click on cmd.exe and a sub-menu should open with the option to Run as administrator (this is also known as opening an elevated command prompt)

* Click on Run as administrator and you'll get a prompt asking if you want this program to make changes to your computer. Click yes

* A new window will open with a black background and white letters. You will see
C:\WINDOWS\system32>_
with a blinking cursor. Simply type in sfc /scannow and click Enter.

(Please note there is a space between sfc and /scannow.) The system file checker scan will start to run and examine all protected system files. It will also try to replace incorrect, corrupted, changed/modified, or damaged versions with the correct versions if possible. The Windows Media Player files are among the files that will be examined. The scan can take a long time to run. When it finishes you may get a notice that some files couldn't be repaired. Try running the scan two more times (total of 3 scans.)

Can I thank you for making it so much easier to understand ....I have run the SFC/scan now three times and it keeps saying the same thing. It says Windows resource protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.log windir\logs\cbs\cbs.log.

Are you able to provide any further suggestions?

Thank you in advance!

Susie, I'll refer you back to the System File Checker scan tutorial, Option Three.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

If you open (click on) the above link, scroll down to Option Three. It gives instructions on how to put a copy of the cbs.log on your desktop.

You'll have to open another elevated command prompt (type cmd in the start menu search box > right-click cmd.exe, etc.) Then at the blinking cursor on the black screen with white letters either type in the required findstr command or copy/paste it. This will put a copy of the cbs.log on your desktop. Once you have that you can include it in your next post and someone can take a look at it to see what files aren't being repaired or replaced. The entire findstr command (including quotation marks) in Option Three is:

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\Logs\CBS\CBS.log >"%userprofile%\Desktop\sfcdetails.txt"

Please note the spaces between "findstr /c" and "[SR]" %windir and CBS.log >

To upload the cbs.log file in your next post, see this tutorial:

Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums

Sometimes the files that can't be fixed are best left alone. For example, files like other foreign language packs that you don't use. But sometimes the files are critical and are absolutely needed for your Windows 7 to work properly. So it's kinda, sorta important to find out what files can't be repaired. :)

Thanks again. I looked at the option three and the final outcome would appear to be putting in your windows DVD in order to replace the file. My laptop didn't come with one. However I notice that my D drive is almost as large as my C drive and imagine that is because it is working as some sort of backup? Would that be right? I just don't know how I would repair files.

susie said:

Thanks again. I looked at the option three and the final outcome would appear to be putting in your windows DVD in order to replace the file. My laptop didn't come with one. However I notice that my D drive is almost as large as my C drive and imagine that is because it is working as some sort of backup? Would that be right? I just don't know how I would repair files.

Sorry for the delayed response, Susie. Here in the Colonies we've been celebrating something called Thanksgiving. First one was in 1621 when the surviving Pilgrims, who had fled the volatile political environment in England ... oops, sorry again!

Getting serious, is your D drive an external drive? You show you have a Toshiba laptop so the only other drive you'd probably have is the built in CD/DVD optical drive. If you're not sure, could you post a screenshot of your Disk Management screen?

Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

Another possibly quicker way to repair your computer would be a Repair Install. If successful it would fix your currently installed Windows 7 and preserve your user accounts, data, programs, system drivers, etc. The tutorial also has a way for you to obtain a legitimate installation disk.

Repair Install

Or you might opt to do a clean install following the instructions in this tutorial which also shows how to get a legitimate installation disk.

Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

Thankyou and Happy Thanksgiving!!

I will look into those. That might take a little while but I will do my best. I am not the worlds best with computers as you have probably gathered but I follow instructions fairly well!!!

Thanks again.

susie said:

Thankyou and Happy Thanksgiving!!

I will look into those. That might take a little while but I will do my best. I am not the worlds best with computers as you have probably gathered but I follow instructions fairly well!!!

Thanks again.

You're welcome, Susie. If you have any questions, please post back. If I don't know the answer(s) there are other Forum members who will be glad to jump in and help.