wma files quit playing

[Basil Chupin]

On 26/07/10 19:26, nepal wrote:
> On Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:31:54 -0400
> Thomas<tfultz33 at gmail.com>  wrote:
>
>    
>> When I first installed Karmic I installed codecs that play all kinds
>> of files. I was able to play wma files in Rhythmbox and Totem. After
>> a few weeks and a security update (have no idea what they were) and
>> installing kino, avidemux, and libdvdcss2 and some other non av stuff
>> I found out today that i can no longer play my wma files.
>>
>> In both Rhythmbox and Movie Player (Totem) It pops up a window and
>> searches for plugins then returns No such luck. The requested plugins
>> are:  Windows Media Audio decoder.
>> I downloaded the restricted-packages when I first installed karmic
>> and everything played.
>> Any Ideas?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Thomas
>>
>>
>>      
> Exactly the same happened to me a few weeks ago. I used to be able to
> play any wma files, now I can't. I use vlc mostly for such things, but
> tried all the other players for playing wma but without success. I have
> all the codecs installed, I tried reinstalling. and then gave up. Many
> things are getting broken for me on Ubuntu through upgrading and really
> since 7.10 . I amost never get replies to questions I post to the list,
> so I don't bother trying to fix anything now.

I am not a fanatical, frothing at the mouth supporter, of Ubuntu but I 
can say that I have never encountered problems with any distro I've used 
because I do not UPGRADE from one version to the next - I install the 
new version as a fresh install. Upgrading leaves behind rubbish which 
can cause problems. Don't upgrade from version #1 to #2 - install #2 as 
a new installation.

I am using Lucid and I am not having any problems with wma or any other 
video format file.

I've installed the Medibuntu source in the Software Sources - and 
haven't looked back.

And if you don't get responses to your queries then one of three things 
are probably occurring: you don't specify your problem properly or you 
haven't first read the available documentation - start here: 
https://help.ubuntu.com/community , or you haven't worded your Subject 
so that people can read what your problem is to begin with: simply 
writing "HELP!" for example will get you nowhere fast - I will simply 
delete such a message.



>   Because a recent update
> broke my system and kept making it lock up with only a hard boot
> to recover, I spent almost an entire day rebooting and watching as part
> of that *lengthy* process recheck the same hard drive, over and over
> and over before I could finally remove the offending updates, which were
> mostly that pulseaudio crap.

What does this have to do with the problem at hand? Pulse audio has 
nothing to do with not being able to play wma files. It certainly has a 
lot to do with not being able to HEAR sound but nothing to do with not 
being able to even play a video file.


>   Reminds me of using windows 95!
> :(
> rant over but disappointment remains
> nepal
>    

I can quite understand this disappointment but you need to supply people 
with accurate information about your problem(s) before you not only get 
an answer or even have people bother to look at your message where you 
are seeking help.

And before you go on, how about installing your system as a NEW 
installation and not as an UPGRADE to an old version? Backup your 
important data files and install afresh. Start off with a clean slate 
and not have old baggage in tow - and then ask for help re any problems 
:-) .

BC


-- 
A man kept complaining about not having shoes to wear - until he saw a man with no legs.