Can't Install or Run Mple Programs

This has been an ongoing problem for many months and I just can't figure it out. I wasn't sure where
else to post so if I'm off base I apologize.

When I try to start up windows media player as well as other programs I get a message similar to this "Windows Media Player cannot play the file. This can occur when another program or operating system component encounters a problem but does not communicate the nature of the problem to the Player ".
I'm able to open the program but that's about all. It also does this when I try ATI media player. I've tried installing WMD with out success (it just hangs), also I can't play a DVD however I have been able to get into Guildwars which has been installed awhile now, and recently when I tried to update Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 (the same time I tried installing WMD), I had problems installing that as well. So you see it's not just targeting one program but a number of them that I either try to install or run. The only media player that actually works is itunes. I've been trying to install Warcraft III and while the program installed, it won't initialize into a playing screen but jump back to the
desktop. I've troubleshooted directx, my video card and each of the individual programs, all to no avail. I've updated MULTIPLE times on each, drivers and patches. My bios and motherboard has also been updated. I've uninstalled and reinstalled my sound card thinking that might be my problem. I've also covered the virus and malware possibilities. I know that I'm covered with the specs of the game, 1gb ram, amd 2500 processor and plenty of disk space. I've called tech support at ati, blizzard and creative with no results. One of the techs mentioned that he thought my memory was being eaten up by somethinh and didn't know what but a check in the task manager doesn't show an overload of programs running. I also went into msconfig and disabled most of the startup programs I didn't need. Now I'm just at a loss for what to do and ANY help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

My specs are:

amd 2500 with a barton core
abit mb nf7 nvidia chip nforce2
1gb ram
300 gb hard drive
ati graphics card 9800 pro
creative sb audigy legacy

 

Pete, thank you for the suggestion and I immediately did what you said, but afterward when I again tried to install WarcraftIII or listen to WMP I got the same results. Also yes I did update the chip on my motherboard. Again thanks much, also for the welcome.

Nightngal

 

Hi again, yes I also forgot to say that I have already checked that out along with my power supply

 

nightngal,

What type of files are you trying to open in WMP? MP3s, wav, what?
You may not have the proper 'codecs' for those files. Try updating WMP... open WMP, then go to the 'Tools' menu, select 'Options', then click the 'Player' tab and see if the 'download codecs automatically' is checked. If not, check it, and then select update 'once a day' (you can change it back to once per week or month, I'm just trying to see if WMP will update immediately). I'm not sure if that will 'force' and immediate check. You could also try install the 'codec' bundle available HERE. This bundle of codecs will cover most common media file types (this includes audio and video). Just follow the download link, then install.

B

 

Mr B, thanks for the reply. If it was just WMP not working then I would suspect a codec problem, however I can't start up some games, run other programs ect. So I think it's more than just codecs. However just in case, I went into the options and checked all codecs listed and nothing seems out of place.