MAC help needed:
 

I have installed Windows Media Player, Mac OS-x version more than once from the WMV site and it still won't work. It shows as installed in my "applications" folder, but no dice. This is seriously limiting my ability to watch videos, both from boards like this and news sites, can someone help me here? Thanks a lot. :)

An excellent mod/uprade for a MAC is to buy and install a PC next to it:)

How do you know it's not working?

Have you tried starting the program manually or are you waiting for a file to launch it?

Try drag'n'drop a wmv file onto the application.

It may just be that the file associations are not set correctly.

After all we are talking about a piece of software made by the same people that make the operating systems that most pc's use.

Follow Lendaddys suggestion if you like viruses, pop-ups, adware, an insecure system or want your computer to make a sound like a yeti.

Scott

Denis,

I run Windows media player 9.0.0 on Mac OS 10.2.8 and it works fine. But I also have the divX codec, and I think it is required to decode wmv files. Try installing the divX codec from http://www.divx.com/divx/mac/ and let me know if this does the trick.

Aurel

Denis,

Did you download it from here:

http://www.microsoft.com/mac/otherproducts/otherproducts.aspx?pid=windowsmedia

I have 10.3.7 and my WMP works fine.

BTW, I highly recommend Camino for a browser. much much faster that IE.

And Joel, you give me a call when you find a PC laptop that allows you to: put it to sleep connected to home cable, walk down the street to your local coffee shop wtih free WiFi, open it up and immediately start surfing the Pelican BBS while having a little coffee and cinnamon swirl (you may like some other pastry for breakfast), help PC laptop owners reconfigure their entire computers to allow them to connect to the network, finish up, put your Mac to sleep, go home, connect it up and it once again automatically reconfigures itself to your cable.

No restarting, no reconfiguring, no calling the ISP help line.

Long ago I used to fix PCs and wrote a little VB in my day. PCs are fine computers, but until you get a taste of the elegance that defines a Mac, you really can't compare them. :)

I was just giving Denis a hard time, but I don't get what you mean regarding the WiFi. I use my laptop at several locations and it autodetects and connects. Maybe I missed something? Oh yea, I like Bagels:)

I must be helping people with older computers then cause at least twice a week someone can't connect, they come over and ask if I can, and 20 minutes later they are on, but only after doing a lot of work.

Best bagels in the world (my opinion only) come from a hole in the wall place in Montreal. You can get either sesame or poppy seed. They made fresh continually. The sesame are phenomenal toasted with lots of butter. crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. sooooo good.

Don't know about new vs old tech on the PC WiFi, but a couple weeks ago I was at work where I was working on a machine out on the floor. I have wireless there so I had my PC on getting live NFL scores to entertain me while I worked. Anyway, I got done about 6 and thought hmmmm I'll leave this on in the pass seat while I drive home and see if I pick up updates while driving down the road. I did! I must have gotten 4-5 different connections for long enough to update the scores, I was laughing my ass off as I was going 45-50 MPH getting connections. So who knows. Oh yea, you described a perfect bagel, including the "lot o' butter" statement.

You want a media player for your mac? I say VLC. You can download it for free at www.versiontracker.com Just search VLC and you will find the link for the download, works great. The only reason I have a PC (piece of crap) is for 3d renderings. Everything else happens on my macs. I have a pimped out iBook, originally a G3 but now I have two G4 processors and two slave hard drives that my friend set up for me. One of the slaves runs a windows clone which is ok. Hope the VLC works for you, I have had no problems at all with it so far. It plays mp3's, mp4's, mpegs, avi, wmv and some others.

Do you mean that you have two G4 processors in your ibook? How was that done ?

Aurel

I use WMP9 on my Powerbook with no problems... I installed WMP and VLC at the same time, so maybe there are codecs with VLC that WMP needs? For some files I have to use MPlayer to get it to show the video, but that's rare.

No problem with WMP, Real and QT on my PowerBook.

Denis: what happens when you open the app?

Heh. My Mac doesn't even run OS 9 or X - Debian GNU/Linux for me! Actually, it is a slot loading DVD iMac, reminds me a lot of my old TRS-80 :). Chose it for my server because it has the best power to heat/noise ratio. Does email, web, DNS for my LAN, and a few other tasks nicely.

WiMP works fine on my 15" AlBook.

You can start it up and drag-n-drop into the window or set up associations so that double-clicking on a wmv file starts up WiMP.

Aurel, my buddy works for mac and he put two, yes two G4 processors in my ibook. its pretty sweet, runs at about 1.4 and has plenty of memory. i like portables and instead of getting a powerbook he pimpied out my 12 inch. i can ask him about the particulars, btw i dont have a battery anymore.

What happens is that everytime I try to play certain videos, (like the "ghetto drifting" one from here or news videos from MSNBC.com), it has a little pop-up that says that I don't have the right software to run it and won't play it. On the NBC site, it has a link to the Windows Media Player site for anyone who doesn't have it, and I tried to install it there. Again.

I like the WiFi capabilities of this thing and it's great looking, but other than that I'm really not impressed. The keyboard and trackpad suck something awful. My aging PC at home has the worst-ever OS, (Windows ME), and more viruses than a whore in TJ, (I'm too cheap to buy the AV software), is about 10 times faster than this thing for what I use it for. And all imaginable software is either on it from new or easily downloaded and I have NEVER had a problem playing any kind of file on it.

I'm not real computer-savvy, so not sure how I should be "opening" the application. On a PC, you simply click on the link for the video. :cool:

I think it has to do with how your mime types are assigned. I agree with the above sentiments regarding browsers: go to www.mozilla.com and download Camino. Much better browser. If you have installed the latest version of WinMediaPlayer, it should fire up when you click on the link in the browser. If not, it might download a small file to your desktop (or other location if you've changed it in the browser prefs). You can take that icon and drag it onto the WinMediaPlayer icon and it should find the streaming file and play it (assuming it is a streaming video).

Didn't you buy that used Denis? Did it have a fresh install of the OS? That is the best way to start with an older machine. You never know what kind of nonsense the previous owner did (kinda like 911s...)

Never had a problem with Windows media player on my Macs (OS 10.2). Works with Camino, Safari and even the evil Explorer.

Well, same with a Mac. Double click on the document and it opens the app. You can also double-click the app icon or an alias of the app icon.

Nostatic gave you good advice: if you don't know the history of your machine, do a 'clean' install (includes reformatting). Between Quicktime and WiMP, I can play 90% of the videos I find. Occasionally I'll get the 'can't read this format' message, but that's usually just a corrupted file.

Any idea what file types are giving you trouble (.avi, .mpg, .wmv, .asf?) they all run fine on my Mac.

Yes, I did buy it used but it was from a pretty big Mac guy who resells and buys a lot of them, he's a major fan like most of the Mac users that I encounter, and I'm pretty certain that it was a fresh install of OS-X.

I appreciate the help, I'm sure that it will get straightened out and I'll like the machine better. :cool:

Denis,

I feel you are suffering from "On my PC I just....." syndrome. I also have it. My wife has a Marketing/Advertising business she runs out of our home now, guess what she uses. I hate that thing, but she loves it. The more time you spend with the beast the more you will regress to the simple methods used to operate it vs a PC:)

Plus, when you've dropped four times as much money vs a comparible PC box, you kind of have to justify it right? "I love this thing, no really I do":)

You're off the map here, daddy. I run both Macs and PC's. There is NO comparison. If you are looking for elegance, simplicity and power, there is only one real choice.

PCs have come a long way -- now they're only about 3 years and 100,000 viruses short of being Mac-like.

Just jabbing you guys, not really serious. I know they are good machines, just not good enough in my opinion to justify the huge price gap. Unless ofcourse it is your industry standard. Plus I get pissed everytime my wife has to pay hundreds for some software that is either dirt cheap for, or comes bundled with a Costco PC. I do think there is some truth to my above quoted statement though.

Len,

PC's are NOT cheaper than Macs. At best the cost is comparable for models of similar performance/configuration.

The documented reality is Macs generally come out cheaper.

Sure you can buy a $400 PC but you'll get what you pay for, not much.

And I don't buy the "availability of software" bs either. Name me one piece of consumer grade commercially available software that exists on a PC that does not either have a Mac version or comparable alternatives.

It's OK not to like Macs if you prefer using a PC, that's all personal choice, preference, opinion etc... It's not a fact basis that supports any of the common misconceptions that abound.

http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/36120.html

http://gflpraxis.no-ip.com/mvp-price.html

http://forgetcomputers.com/~jdroz/pages/03.html

Scott

OK, tried that, no dice. I'd throw this thing in the nearest trash can if wasn't so godamn expensive. :mad:

I'm going to have to find a Mac person to take time out of their day and physically mess w/ this thing now, I've given up w/ online help. Thanks anyhow to everyone here, not trying to start a Ford/Chevy war, but my PC is worlds simpler than this thing to operate for a technophobe. :cool:

Oh Denis, you poor thing. You will now receive more help than you ever dreamed. They can't have someone switch back! You see they can't let you go now, they're too close. You may even get a home visit! It's a cult I tells ya, you can check out, but you can never leave:)

Speeder-

Leave it to the Microsoft programs to cause the only problems I ever have on my Macs. Wait until you try Office, Christ. The MS apps are terrible computer citizens, like drunken step-parents at your birthday party: lots of fun until they make fun of your friends, trashe your gifts, and ultimately pass out at the dinner table for you to clean up after. Bastards...

Anyway, am I hearing that you're having problems playing a WMV file in your web browser (i.e. the browser loads some kind of crazy plugin and the WMV player is part of the browser window and not a standalone app)? These kinds of windows show up on sites like ComedyCentrals DailyShow page.

I have seen this issue on my 10.2 (Jaguar) machines but not on my 10.3 Panther machines. A window will pop-up from the browser and complain that the plugin isn't found or some other nonsense. Honestly, I have yet to find a good fix other than upgrading :(

However, if you're running 10.2 or earlier I highly suggest you wait a month or 2 until 10.4 comes out, titled Tiger, as Im sure this has been addressed and repaired. If you're already running Panther then Im not sure what you can do.

If you're having trouble playing actual WMV files, it could just be that MS hasn't bothered to add and kind of versioning compatibility into the Mac player and you'll probably have to find something else to play them.

Bastards...

Denis, I'm out of town, but back later this week. If I can take a look at the machine, I can likely sort it out.

Len, what software programs are you talking about that cost "hundreds" on the Mac, but come free with the PC? In fact, Macs come bundled with some of the best software ever written...there is no equivalent on the PC. I'm thinking iMovie. By far the easiest/slickest video editing software around. And then factor in iTunes, iPhoto, iDVD, GarageBand, Mail, and Safari, and you can do 90% of the things you need. Add a word processor and you're set.

It's all perspective I guess. I would never use all the "artsy" programs so they have no value to me. Where as I would imagine they are great for people into that stuff. I use all the MS Office stuff for business. Do Macs come with that?

FWIW, anytime I've wanted an editing/photo/blah b;ah type software I just goto shareware.com and it's mine:) you can't exactly do that with Quickbooks or Excel or Word. In business people expect you to use these standards so you must.

Denis,

Post your problem here. These guys will solve it instantly.

http://forums.dealmac.com/list.php?1

Have faith man!!!

No, but neither do PCs unless you pay extra. Cost for MS Office is the about the same I believe ($149 academic). The only thing you can't get is Outlook (instead on the Mac you have Entourage, which is Exchange compliant) and Access (but I'd rather use FileMaker or MySQL). It is the same (and according to some, better) as the PC version (word, excel, ppt), with complete file interchagability between platforms.

And there is shareware on the mac side too... Graphic Converter for one, AudioHiJack another. And cool things like SubEthaEdit only exist on the Mac.

You can get Outlook for Exchange Server and CheckPoint makes a VPN all for the Mac.

Filemaker Pro is 100% cross-platform compatible, grew up on it and loved it, but having the opportunity to create some custom apps with Access, VB and real SQL statements years ago, I'd have to say Access is a better product. Some of the apps we created were just amazing and I don't think FMPro could have come close at the time.

I just got the latest version of FMPro and have absolutely no idea how to use it anymore. :confused:

It used to be so intuitive, now it seems silly and "wrong," especially when architecting the table structure.

I've always gotten MS office with my PC's, never paid for it??????


Shaun, you're way over my head man.

You've paid for it some way. Bill isn't really known for giving things away. :)

Honestly, I've bought about 20 PCs for myself and 2 small companies in the last 10 years, never heard of getting Office for free. Bundled as part of a package price yes, but never free.

Dell often bundles MS Office by default, but when you configure the machine, you can remove it (and pay quite a bit less). Bill doesn't give anything away for free. But he does charge you up the ying yang for beta quality software ;)

Shaun, the problem is that FMPro used to have their own way of thinking about db structures (eg "portals" for relationships, etc). With the new version they have moved more into the mainstream with their relational logic. I haven't used the new version, but based on what I've read, this seems to be the case. Don't worry, it'll make sense after awhile.

Makes sense.

Maybe you're right and I should buy a Mac? Oh that's just the nicotine withdrawl talking:)

Have prices on Macs come way down in say the last 3-4 years? Cause I dropped like 5-6 large on my wifes setup back then. At that time 5-6 large would get you a killer PC, boatloads of peripherals, and a few ladies of the night(attractive ones too).

LOL!!!

Prices, yes and no. Apple got smart enough offer different levels of performance, so you can get a really nice notebook for $1000 or you can get serious one for $2500, much like buying an IBM, or, errrr, Chinese version of an IBM (ed. Dell is dead).

The Mac desktops are unmatched in terms of speed, etc. the processors and associated architecture are significantly more advanced the Pentium chips and the like, but are pricey.

In the end, it's just like buying a 911. Either you are going to spend a bit more money up front and get a good car, or you are going to keep putting $ into a low-priced car, except with PCs, it's the down-time that'll kill you.

A beautiful, 20" iMac with a G5 processor can be had for $1800 or so. Seems expensive, until you realize that you can sell it on eBay a year later for a grand (and then buy the latest, greatest). A used PC is worth about... oh $50. And the Mac is far, far more elegant and a enjoyable to use than the PC. Just my .02 :)

You're very right about PC resale (accept for a couple brands AlienWare, etc..).

But I just went on Dell.com and built an Asskicker with a 20" Flatpanel, 3.6GHZ P4, sick amounts of memory, the best video card, man you name it for $2,350. Now this is no imac, this is PowerPc class I would imagine.