Please run the
System
Test to make sure your computer is properly configured to receive and
display the webcasts. If your computer is unable to display a webcast,
please scan down this page for troubleshooting hints and tips.
To obtain the software, please visit Microsoft's Windows Media Download Center and follow the instructions.
This document covers only the basics about Windows Media software. For more and better detailed information, please visit Windows Media Technologies for Windows Media Player. Some of the following assumes that you understand the minimum requirements for your computer system. If you need to, please scan the requirements first.
For further help with technical questions, please contact:
To view or hear a webcast, your computer needs special software installed: a Web browser (with JavaScript enabled), and an up-to-date player that is compatible with your Web browser.
These links go to Web sites where you can get software and updates:
*Tip for Windows XP or Vista users running Firefox and Windows Media Player 11: Microsoft offers an improved "Windows Media Plug-in for Firefox". This will interface Firefox to the latest version of Windows Media Player (versions earlier than 11 are not supported), and is better than the standard plug-in that comes with the player. Firefox may automatically download and install the plug-in software when it encounters a Web page with Windows Media content. If you don't have the improved plug-in and it doesn't automatically install, you can download it from Microsoft's Open Source Lab. This will improve compatiblity with some of our slide show features.
**Tips for Mac OS X users:Microsoft has been distributing Flip4Mac's "Windows Media Components for QuickTime" (Flip4Mac WMV), and will be discontinuing support for Windows Media Player 9 for the Mac OS X platform.
Click here to download Flip4Mac's WMV
For enhanced functionality and compatibility, please be sure to try the latest version of Flip4Mac WMV -- look for version 2.2.0.49 or higher. This will improve compatibility with some of our slide show features.
Please be aware that some older versions of Flip4Mac WMV have a "Create streaming movies" option that is turned off by default. Turning it on may resolve some problems with receiving media streamed over the Internet.
Although the Flip4Mac WMV plug-in can improve compatibility with many Windows Media presentations on the Web, you may also wish to have the Windows Media Player 9 plug-in installed, in case. You can enable or disable Flip4Mac WMV's browser integration in System Preferences. If you install both, we suggest installing Flip4Mac's software after Windows Media Player. Note that Windows Media Player 9 may not work with Intel Macs.
Mozilla Firefox users: Please note that there are some reports of problems in Firefox with the version 2.2.0.39 beta release of Flip4Mac's WMV Plugin, and also of problems in Mozilla browsers with Microsoft's Windows Media 9 plugin.
I see a message, "Error downloading codec,"
when trying to use Windows Media.
If you are behind a computer network security system
such as a corporate firewall, and your player is an older version, your player may be stymied trying to automatically update itself or to download a
component it needs. We suggest you try upgrading the player first: Visit
Windows Media Technologies
to download and install the latest version for your computer. If
you still need to install a codec, download it from Microsoft's page:
Codec Installation Packages for IT Professionals.
I don't see the
presentations, or I can play content from some sites but not
others.
If you are behind a computer network security
system such as a corporate firewall, you may need to contact your system
administrator to see if you can access the player content via a proxy
server.
Are you using a personal firewall or
DSL/Broadband router? If so, and you experience connection problems, you
may wish to try disabling them for the duration of the webcast.
See also Web
Browsers and Media Players.
I am getting no video
or no audio.
There are varied causes for this. If you see video
but no sound, one possible cause is if the computer started playing an
unrelated sound effect or audio file at the same time that the player tried
to start. If you heard something like that, then restarting the
player may help. Make sure that no music program or file is
playing.
Try playing a local video or audio file with the
player; if it works then your computer probably meets most of the minimum
requirements.
I clicked on a webcast
selection, but see only a logo or a black display in the player.
It takes a little time to establish a connection
to the video server and begin streaming video. We've noticed 5 to 15
seconds of delay, depending on the thoroughput of the computer's Internet
connection, and other factors. Please wait a few seconds to give the video
stream time to load. For live webcasts, occasionally a presentation
may begin a few minutes late.
I get disconnected or
see error messages from the player.
Network congestion from heavy traffic on the
Internet or a local area network can prevent the player from maintaining a
constant connection. Try again in case of temporary congestion.
Also, check if you are on a local area network
behind a corporate firewall.
More help about Windows Media Player:
Most recently manufacturered computers will be compatible as far as hardware and software.
For further help with technical questions, please contact:
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