Which Browser?

Hi Alice, 3 days and counting and all systems are A-ok. How nice computing is when things work properly.
This may be a subject for a new thread and if it is, please let me know so I can repost it as such. I noticed that you indicated you use two differecnt browsers, NS 4.79 and Mozilla so apparently that can be done? I have been thinking about upgrading my current NS 4.75 to version 4.79 and then additionaly installing either NS 7.0 or the latest Mozilla browser. Do you encounter many conflicts in setting up a second browser, particularily when it comes to the email client. Are there any pitfalls I should be aware of? Are my current NS setting affected if a second browser is installed? Is there a preference between NS 7.0 or Mozilla? Thanks.

 

Hi, washoe,

Enjoy your pc while it is all working properly. That does seem to be the exception, doesn't it?

I don't know if you ever got the Quicktime problem figured out but I would be curious to know the outcome. I can understand, though, if you decide to leave well enough alone. Just keep it in mind if Quicktime is still installed, that additional problems may surface down the road and you may need to at lease disable it. In my own case, after installing IE 5.5sp2 I could not access any .mov file with Internet Explorer, since IE5.5sp2 and above no longer support Netscape-style plugins and IE was set up to use a vry old version 2.1.2 Netscape Quicktime plugin. I ended up deleting the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Plugins\Extension\.mov and renamed the Quicktime plugin in my Netscape Communicator program Plugins folder from npqtw32.dll to Xnpqtw32.dll

Anyway, back to your question about installing Netscape 7 or Mozilla as a second browser:

You can use either in addition to Netscape Communicator; in fact, it makes it easier since your NS 4.xx profile information should be carried over. I would go with Netscape 7 final release rather than Mozilla unless you like to tinker...

In my case, I had to export my NS 4.79 address book (as ldif file)then import it back into Mozilla, and I also had problems with some newsgroups so ended up deleting all the News folder contents and starting over, but you might not have any problems. Even if you do the solution can probably be found by searching this forum or posting a new question, or by checking Ramona's Netscape pages - check the links in her replies.

There is a new thread here that should interest you:
http://www.WindowsBBS.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8534 Netscape 7 (Final) Released

 

Good afternoon Alice. About Quicktime. I still have it installed but as you know, the plugins for .wav and .mid file types are disabled in Netscape. However, most of the graphic and video plugins are still available in the NS plugin folder. I have Quicktime configured to only handle MIME types: .pnt, .pic, .png, .qtif, .mov. (although it often ignores these settings). I can play a .mov files from a web site with Netscape but as it formerly did with .wav and .mid files, Quicktime crashes Netscape when I attempt to leave the page after the file plays. I can also play .mov files from a web site using IE 5.5sp2. Quicktime does NOT crash IE when I leave the page. Here are two sites I used for testing:

http://www.trygve.com/quicktimevideo.html
http://greypages.org/sounds/MOV.html

I can also play the .mov files with QT when I download them to my HD without any apparent problems.

Nevertheless, Quicktime seems to be quite unstable and I'm never sure how it will perform. I also have not quite figured out, as you pointed out, why the QT files are 4.1 when I have version 5 installed. They may be files from an older install which did not update when I installed QT 5 and could well be the source of my problems. I think for that reason alone I will probably uninstall it since my only use for it would seem to be playing .mov files and I can probably use something else like Hamrick's VuePrint for that purpose. Have I somewhat answered your questions about my contuining Quicktime badtime?


Judging from you response, NS 7.0 seems like it may be my best bet. Is there a version of that release that I can install that has just the browser and email client, not all the other stuff like AIM, Winamp, Quicktime, ICQ, etc? Sort of 'bare-bones' so to speak. Also, would I be able to use both NS 7.0 and my current NS 4.75 for sending and retrieving email. I know I would have to leave my messages on the server to retrieve them in both version, but I do that already as a safety net. I guess you are saying that if I install either NS 7.0 or Mozilla 1.01, my current NS browser and Communicator would not be affected and that the newer browser would stand on it's own without interfering with my current NS 4.75. Guess I'm interested in seeing what the new browsers are like without jeopordizing my current setup. I was also wondering if the Mozilla email client works similar to Netscape?

As always, thanks much.

 

Hi Alice, BTW, the only apparent files I have in my Netscape plugin folder that seem to relate to Quicktime are:

npqtplugin.dll
npqtplugin2.dll
npqtplugin3.dll
QuickTimePlugin.class

I forgot to add include this info in my last post.

Bye

 

You may be better off getting Quicktime advice using the apple help and forum links Ramona gave you before, but here's my last "stab ":

It's possible you have newer QT 5 plugins already on your system and that the problem is that you have older 4.1 versions in your Netscape plugins folder. I would look for newer versions of npqt*.dll (and maybe QuickTimePlugin.class) possibly in C:\Program Files\QuickTime\Plugins\ then copy those to your Netscape Plugins folder (which will re-enable Quicktime) based on the following:
==============copy/paste=====================
From: Ralph Fox
Subject: Re: Ver 6.1 Plug-ins
Newsgroups: alt.netscape.buggy-products
Date: 2001-09-09 02:33:57 PST
(snip)
Quicktime 5.02 -- copy the following 5 plug-in DLL files from "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\Plugins\" to Netscape 6's "Plugins" folder.
npqtplugin.dll
npqtplugin2.dll
npqtplugin3.dll
npqtplugin4.dll
npqtplugin5.dll
(snip)
==============end copy/paste======================

I get the feeling, though, that you want to disable Quicktime in Netscape.

I think png files are handled by Netscape (and IE) internally... you can disable that mime type in the Quicktime Control panel under "Browser Plugin" even though you say it doesn't have any effect.

I wouldn't worry about PIC files! I don't know if I've ever run across one, but it's still associated with my old QT 2.1.2 C:\Windows\View32.exe program.

If you would like to have Windows Media Player as the application that opens Quicktime QT and MOV files using Netscape, you will first have to disable the Quicktime plugin by deleting or renaming, and, even though you say if has no effect, disable the MOV mime type(s) in the Quicktime Control Panel applet under "Browser Plugin ". Then you can either reassociate those filetypes with Windows Media Player (open WMP 6.4 and go to View Options Formats) OR you can try setting up Windows Media Player as a Helper Application in Netscape Preferences, Navigator, Applications, leaving Quicktime as the associated program for Windows/IE (you say IE5.5sp2 plays mov files fine...guess you have the new Quicktime ActiveX control installed - see http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60884

I have WMP 6.4 set up to open Quicktime files and here's what I show in Netscape 4.79 preferences under Navigator Applications, for the "Play file" (you may see it under another name) listed for Mov - QT files, mime type: video/quicktime, when I click the Edit button, under "Handled By ":
Application:
"C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe" /Play

Here's what I found on disabling the quicktime plugins:

==============copy/paste=======================
From: Thomas Cominsky
Subject: Re: Removing quicktime plug-in
Newsgroups: netscape.public.general
Date: 2000/02/14

Exit Netscape.

Open the plugin folder(it probably has a path like c:\program files\netscape\program\plugins) and delete or rename anything that
begins with npqt, i.e.
npqtplugin.dll, npqtplugin2.dll, npqtplugin3.dll. Also delete or rename QuickTimePlugin.class.

Restart Netscape and click on Help, About Plug-ins. It should be gone.
================end copy/paste==================

On Installing Netscape7, I'll defer to Ramona, Antony, and the other Netscape experienced users here on that! I didn't want to discourage you from installing Mozilla, just thought that it's not really necessary with NS7 final being out, unless you have an aversion to AIM (Mozilla doesn't include AIM).

Look for the current thread on a custom Netscape7 install, where Ramona has posted screenshots. I agree with her, it's best to only install the minimum, which I believe is the browser, mail and AIM (and the speclchecker?) It's best to UNcheck all additional components, like the Sun Java plugin, which you will need for java applets, and install thise seperately.

Check Ramona's and Antony's posts for links to more information on Netscape 7 and Mozilla. They both have extensive Netscape information on their pages. Take your time reading up, before installing.

 

I just wanted to add that, looking over your earlier thread,
http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8242
you show:
QuickTime Plug-in 4.1

File name: C:\PROGRAM
FILES\NETSCAPE\COMMUNICATOR\NETCAST\PROGRAM\plugins\npqtplugin.dll

I didn't notice before that the path includes a "NETCAST" subfolder. My Netscape 4.79 progam and plugins are installed in C:\PROGRAM
FILES\NETSCAPE\COMMUNICATOR\PROGRAM so it could very well be that your Quicktime 5 plugins got lost. Do a Find on npqt*.dll and QuickTimePlugin.class and see if you come up with newer versions (right-click the file icon in the Find window, select Properties)

 

Hi Alice. Been having just to much fun here. But, each time I follow your advice it gets me closer to the truth.

I think you are dead on here as the npqt*.dll files in my "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\Plugins" and in my "Internet Explorer\Plugin folder" are version 5.0.2, while the ones in my NS Plugin folder are version 4.1. The Quicktime program installed is also version 5.0.2 However, there are only 2 plugin files in my Quicktime\Plugin folder as opposed to 3 plugin files in my NS Plugin folder.

As I mentioned, I only have 2 of those plugins
npqtplugin.dll
npqtplugin2.dll
plus the
QuickTimePlugin.class in
"C:\Program Files\QuickTime\Plugins\" folder. They are however, all version 5.0.2.

Probably so because I believe these problems all started after I upgraded to Quicktime v 5.0 so I guess I've developed a deep paranoia about the program. It seems like it changes a lot of settings in other applications in an effort to be the only default audio/video/graphics player. So to that end I tried the following:

Impossible to disable (uncheck) .mov, .qt MIME types in Quicktime browser settings. Mouse click will not clear the X in the box. All other MIME types can be disabled and enabled.

Set WMP to handle .mov, .qt files.

Made new NS plugin file and renamed (disabled) all npqt.* files and Quicktime Plugin.Class.

NS 'About Plugins' now shows no Quicktime plugins.

Can't find any reference to how .mov files are being handled? Not on NS/Navigator/Applications or in 'About Plugins "?

When I click on a .mov link on a web page with NS, WMP opens and plays the file. NS DOES NOT crash when I leave the page.

IE is using Quicktime to play .mov links on web page

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

After reboot:

Oops!

Have lost ability to play most .mid and .wav files with IE. The .wav files that would play used Windows Sound Recorder to do so. Likewise, a few .mid files would play using I believe a 'mmplayer' applet, but most would not. After a bit of scuffling, I was able to resolved this glitch by reselecting these files types in Winamp preferences so once again IE plays these file types in Wimanp. Apparently in making these changes, they became unselected? However, the option in the drop down dialog box "Open From Current Location" is greyed out on some web pages when a .wav link is clicked so to play that file I have to use the "Save to Disk" option to download to HD and then play the file.

NS now will play .mov files using WMP, does not crash after leaving web page.

IE now will NOT PLAY .mov files anymore, simply stalls and shows a broken link icon.

Removed (unchecked) .mov, .qt file types in WMP.

IE now plays .mov files using Quicktime.

NS now also plays .mov files using Quicktime and does not crash after leaving page.

There are no Quicktime plugins showing in NS "About Plugins "

I expect IE is accessing Quicktime from the npqtplugin.dll and Quick Timeplugin.class located in the
Internet Explorer\Plugin folder. Where NS is accessing Quicktime from for playing .mov files is again another mystery. Although, in Netscape\Preferences\Navigator\Applications\ I see file extensions of .mov, .qt | MIME type: video/Quicktime | Handled by: QuicktimePlayer; and after clicking 'edit' I see Handled By Application: "C:\PROGRA~1\QUICKT~1\QuickTimePlayer.exe" "%1 ".( "961" should read "(percent sign) 1 ". Probably explains this mystery? Perhaps this is where I would have to change the 'applicaton' source to WMP?

Go figure!

As you have surmised, it's beginning to seem like perhaps my problems might jolly well be the result of the difference in the Quicktime plugin versions in NS and the Quicktime program version I have installed. The version 5.0.2 npqtplugin3.dll file I am missing handles only the file (MIME) types:
image/x-tiff
image/tiff
image/x-targa
image/x-quicktime
image/x-png
image/png
image/x-pict
image/pict
so I don't see a real problem there if I don't have that particular plugin. As I remember one of my previous posts, npqtplugin.dll and npqtplugin2.dll handle the .mid, .wav, and video files.

I guess the next step to prove your theory is to copy the two QT v 5.0.2 plugins I have to my Netscape plugin folder and see what happens. I guess I should work up enough courage to do that sometime this week and I will post back with the results. But, for the moment at least, the main objective of playing audio and video from web sites without crashing Netscape has been accomplished. That in itself is a major achievment as far as I'm concerned. It was a royal pain having to close and relaunch the browser each time. The fact that IE can still also handle like files is just a plus.

Of course, if I really muster up a large dose of intestinal fortitude, I could completely uninstall Quicktime and see what that would produce?

Hope all this makes some kind of sense. In any event, your suggestions and advice are really appreciated and certainly most helpful. You have pushed me up a steep learning curve. If you note anything I've missed or have any other thoughts, let me know.

Thanks also for the suggestions and references in regards to a new browser install. I have reviewed the links you provided and am leaning towards installing the 'slim' version of Netscape 7.0 Final. I've had some good feedback from the 'NS Install' forum. Maybe all these audio/video problems will just disappear if I do?

P.S. Just read your last post and I would guess you are correct about the plugins getting 'lost' when I upgraded to QT v 5.0. Noting the difference in the path structure between your Netscape and mine, I have no idea how I got the structure I have or where that 'Netcast' came from. Your path would seem to make more sense. Pehaps I should change mine but I guessing that may 'lose' the existing plugins?

 

Hi washoe,

Glad to see you are now at the point that you can open all multimedia files, including mov in Netscape without crashing, and that you now have Quicktime5 assigned to .mov as a helper application in Netscape, and that Winamp is back to opening your preferred audio files in IE. Hope that glitch where Winamp will not open, only save, on certailn links is minor ... ?

Speaking of WinAmp, I've discovered how to use it to change the compression of mp3 files or convert them to wav if you're interested, see
http://forums.winamp.com/showthread.php?threadid=64985
(You just have to remember to make a note of the original output plugin so you can change it back when you're finished converting, so that WinAmp will again be able to play files!)

Getting back to the mystery of Netscape now playing .mov with Quicktime even thoug you have no qtplugins showing, you solved it yourself:

You are right on both counts. You can change the helper application from Quicktime to Windows Media Player in Netscape's preferences, Navigator, Applications, and IE will still use Quicktime or whatever is associated in Windows.

If Netscape is now opening .mov in Quicktime and you have no QT plugins enabled, then Netscape is using Quicktime as a helper application and not as a plugin. In other words, it is opening the regular Quicktime program. The same thing can happen with other plugins that also have a full-scale application, like Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can either use the plugin, or disable the plugin and use the regular application window instead of the browser. I ran into that when I installed the Microsoft Wordview program (to view Word .doc and .rtf files). I found I liked the regular wordview program better than the plugin, since the plugin wouldn't open certain files, and I preferred leaving Wordpad associated to .doc (and .rtf) files in Windows Filetypes. So, I had wordview set up as the Helper application inNetscape Preferences, Navigator Applications for the application/msword mime type for .doc files and left Wordpad associated with .doc and .rtf files in Windows Filetypes.

IE5.5sp2 and above no longer use Netscape-style plugins but instead use ActiveX controls. I don't understand why IE wouldn't use Windows Media Player to play mov files, if that's what you have associated in Windows Filetypes and on WMP's format screen but my guess would be that the Quicktime ActiveX control might be the culprit: if Quicktime isn't associated with .mov files any longer, the ActiveX control stalls out. You might be able to get WMP working with .mov in IE by reassociating .mov and .qt to WMP then removing the ActiveX control: look for it in C:\Windows\Downloaded Program Files (r-click to remove). You could always re-download it if you reenable .mov with Quicktime in Windows Filetypes).

This was in my QT5 notes (from when I was considering QT5.0.5 for Mozilla)
============copy/paste========
NOTE: Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows, versions 5.5 SP2 and 6.0 no longer support Netscape-style plug-ins, such as the plug-in installed as part of QuickTime 5.0.2 and earlier versions. Consequently, Windows customers using these versions of Explorer may be unable to view QuickTime content in the browser. Mac users and Netscape users are unaffected.

To restore compatibility, Apple has provided an ActiveX control.
Please visit http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/qtcheck/
where you will be prompted to download and install this control
if you do not already have it.
========end copy/paste========

So, since you said you are using IE5.5sp2 you must have downloaded the Quicktime ActiveX Control .

Netscape uses a more complicated system, going mainly by mime types, of which there can be many with lots of overlap among different programs and plugins.

The cardinal rule is that Netscape plugins overrride whatever is showing in Helper Applications, and what's showing as a Helper Application overrides whatever is in Windows Filetypes.

I'm afraid I can't be of too much more help in your Quicktime quandry except to tell you how much I admire your persistance and willingness to experiment.

Here is a page that includes lots of information about plugin support for Mozilla 1.0 (should be similar tin Netscape7)
http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/windows.html
Mozilla 1.0 Plugin Support on Microsoft Windows

This is the portion I saved on Quicktime5 (the current page now shows QT6 information)

Why you are missing the QT5.0.2 plugins I can't say, unless possibly you didn't download the full, standalone version and you only installed portions of the program while you were online?

The QT 5.0.5 standalone version (9.5 MB) is still available, by the way, at http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=120133
and the plugindoc.mozdev.org page has a link to QT6, including the standalone version. in case you are really a glutton for punishment

PS: Almost forgot your last question, about the path to Netscape. I would leave it alone for now, but if/when you install Netsape Communicator 4.79 or 4.8, I would backup my Plugins folder, back up my Netscape\Users profile folder (minus the Cache contents...) and then UNinstall Communicator. Next, DELETE the contents of the Netscape "Communicator" folder so that it is empty. Then when you install 4.79 or 4.8 use the default path which should be Program Files\Netscape\ Communicator\Program and chose your existing profile which should still exist in the Netscape\Users folder.

Ramona has lots more details on installing Netscape on her pages.

 

More thoughts.

Since IE5.5sp2 no longer supports Netscape-style plugins, you may be wise to delete or at least rename the plugins in your "Internet Explorer\Plugin" folder, especially if you remove the Quicktime ActiveX control, otherwise IE may continue to stall on .mov files regardless of what program you associate with them.

You may also need to delete the registry key, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet
Explorer\Plugins\Extension\.mov (back up the registry or export the key beforehand) .

On second thought, it might be best to leave well enough alone with Internet Explorer and those .mov files!

 

Hi Alice. Just working my way through you last couple posts to be sure I understand all the great information you provided before I embark on any further alterations. I certainly don't want to belabor this Quicktime issue because you have already been more than patient with me and I really appreciate the information you have provided. I really feel I know a lot more about how to control certain aspects of my NS configuration than I ever have since I started using it years ago with version 2.0. I'm even almost beginning to feel brave enough to attempt setting up Winamp as a helper application for playing .wav, .mid files. Almost!

Yes, pretty much so. The time delay from 'click' to 'play' is about the same. The major difference is, as I'm sure you know, when using the 'Open from current location' the file downloads to a .temp folder, plays and then erases the file. With the 'Save to disk' method, I have to go and erase the files manually. Probably costs me a couple dozen nanoseconds to do that!

The following are the files that are in my Downloaded Program Files. I have checked the properties of each and none of them refers to Quicktime. Is it possible the Quicktime ActiveX control is hiding somewhere else?

Downloaded Program Files

{00000161-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
{32564D57-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71}
AV Class
BrowserFolderPopup Class
ContentAudioX Control
CV3 Class
DiskHealth Class
Google Activate
HouseCall Control
Shockwave ActiveX Control
Schockwave Flash Object
Support.com Configuration Class
Support.com Smartissue
Symantec AntiVirus scanner
Symantec RuFSI Registry Information
sys Class

Using IE 5.5 sp2, I visited the site listed above and following the Plugin/ActiveX check procedure I get conformation that "Quicktime is successfully installed ". Conversely, when I visit that same site and perform the same procedure with NS, it indicates "Quicktime is not installed ". I imagine that is because NS is currently using Quicktime as a helper application, rather than through plugins. Don't know where IE is finding the plugins or ActiveX controls. Although the Quicktime plugins are still resident in the IE Plugin folder, they have been disabled by renaming them. Also, you indicated that IE 5.5 sp2 and above doesn't use plugins? I did not make that Registry change yet.

BTW I get a chuckle every time I see the term 'ActiveX'. Only MS could dream up such an ominous sounding name. Sounds like it should be either a caped crusader or an incurable diesese raging somewhere in the heart of Africa.

Also, If a were to setup a new helper application in NS, like WMP for handling .mov files, I know I would browse to find the .exe file ie:[ "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\Mplayer2.exe"] but what is that syntax that follows? In the case of Quicktime it is "%1 ". (Shoud read " percent sign 1 ")(don't know why this won't post properly). How do I know what to use when setting up a new application command line?

If you're tired of this drill, just let me know. Thanks

 

Hi washoe,

No I'm not tired yet. I'm learning a lot just by researching.

Yes, IE5.5sp2 no longer use plugins but instead uses the ActiveX control for IE. Shockwave also uses an activeX control for IE and has for some time, in addition to a plugin for Netscape, so with Shockwave you need to install twice, First online, using IE, then you need to download the Netscape version using Netscape or Mozilla. I remember that when I first installed Shockwave in IE5.5 it didn't show up in Downloaded Program Files but I did find a swflash.ocx file in the Windows\System\Macromedia\flash folder. Later when I updated Shockwave Flash it did show up in Downloaded Program files, and I also found a new file, flash.ocx in the \..\Macromedia\Flash folder. Not sure but it seems Quicktime might work similarly.

If you went to the http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/qtcheck/ page in IE5.5sp2 or IE6 and it says QT is installed, I would think you have the Quicktime Active X control installed, especially since you say you've tested some mov links in IE and they work! Otherwise you are supposed to be asked to download and install the ActiveX control. Here is what I could find on the QT activeX control's name with a groups.google search:
==============copy/paste=======================================
From: Test Man (testman@test.org)
Subject: Re: Plug Ins
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6beta.browser
Date: 2001-08-23 10:00:10 PST

Actually the plugin locations for IE isn't a closely guarded secret as
all you have to do is right-click on any plugin and choose properties.
Select the Dependancy tab and you'll see what files actually make up the
plugin, as well as their locations. For example, Quicktime has
qtplugin.inf in c:\windows\downlo~1 (MS DOS name for Downloaded Program
Files) and qtplugin.ocx in c:\windows\system

"Sandy Middleton" <sheervan@edmc.net> wrote in message
news:eQyA7z1KBHA.1884@tkmsftngp07...
Michael S Kline wrote:

Where are the plug ins for IE6 kept?
Mike

<stevek@stevek.com> wrote in message
news:3B842A86.9010709@stevek.com...
Ahh, Trick Question! They're in c:\Program Files\Netscape
Folder\Plugins\ (sorry, couldn't resist)

Trickier than you think, that's where the (now defunct) Netscape-style
plugins are kept. The actual location is a closely guarded secret (at
least by the operating system), however you can get an idea of what
ActiveX plugins IE6 is using, by looking in C:\WINDOWS\Downloaded
Program Files\. There's where you'll find the class id for the Shockwave
Flash Plugin, as well as the new QuickTime plugin
({41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C})
==========end copy/paste===========

I guess you already tried to right-click the suspected objects, selected Properties and clicked the version tab to see if Apple Quicktime is mentioned, - the dependency tab lists what files actually make up the control, for example, qtplugin.ocx or qtplugin.inf as mentioned in the NG post

I'm getting over my head here with Quicktime! Best to try Quicktime support or another forum for the real deal.

On helper applications: Here is what I show in Netscape 4.79 under Preferences, Navigator Applications for Quicktime mov files:

( "Play File" is the name I show, but you might find the mime type under another name)
mime type: video/quicktime
extension MOV, QT
Handled By Application: "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe" /Play

So, you can look for the helper application that is most likely already set up for MOV and QT that shows the Apple Quicktime program, and change the Handled By Application to the following, using copy/paste, to change to Windows Media Player 6.4:
"C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe" /Play

Just make sure you copy/paste the existing application path and added parameters like /play or %1 and place in a text file somewhere so that you can copy it back if you want. Alternately, you can copy the information from the Windows Explorer Filetype for MOV and QT which will still show Quicktime if that's what you have associated now. Changing the Netscape helper application has no effect on the Windows FileType association.

To test out WinAmp as a helper app in Netscape, just REname the Netscape audio .dll plugin npaudio.dll to Xnpaudio.dll, if that's the only audio plugin for the types you want to play in WinAmp. However I don't think it will work out too well on pages with EMBEDDED audio - pages that use the <embed> html tag to play audio in the background, or bring up a player console without you needing to click on anything.

WinAmp may already be set as the helper application for Netscape audio (wav,midi) mime types if it is the associated program in FileTypes, in which case you don't need to make any changes there. Look through the Netscape application list in Navigator preferences, for EACH instance of a mid or wav mime type (if you try before renaming the plugin, many of the mime types will show "Handled by plugin "- those can't be edited). The name would probably be "WinAmp File" and there may be quite a few.

If WinAmp is not already shown in the "Handled By" field when you click "Edit" for a particular audio filetype in the helper application listing, you will need to edit the Application path in the "Handled By" field. For example, I show "Mplayer2 File" associated with audio/mid for MID, MIDI and the "Handled By" Application path is "C:\PROGRA~1\WINDOW~2\MPLAYER2.EXE ". Just copy the application path for a WinAmp Filetype, for example, I show "C:\PROGRAM FILES\WINAMP\WINAMP.EXE" for .pls (Playlist Files) in the Netscape listing. If it is showing up as "C:\PROGRAM FILES\WINAMP\WINAMP.EXE" "%1" for another WinAmp filetype in your Netscape helper applicaiton listing (which is how it shows in my Windows Explorer Filetypes for PLS) then try it the same way. From what I can see, %1 may be needed in some cases but not in others.

Maybe this will help? From Microsoft technet's article, Understanding MS Windows File Associations http://www.microsoft.com/technet/tr.../TechNet/prodtechnol/win98/maintain/assoc.asp

PS: Here's what else I could find on use of %1 or "%1" in the program path:

=========copy/paste========
From: Alan Edwards (edwards@southcom.com.au)
Subject: Re: File Association Problem
Newsgroups: microsoft.public.win98.performance
View: Complete Thread (6 articles) | Original Format
Date: 2000-11-26 17:47:51 PST

I think it is beyond the scope of this newsgroup for a full
explanation as some programs need the quotation marks (or the name in
short filename format) to avoid a mis-interpretation of the spaces.
e.g. Wordpad would need one of these two formats:

C:\Progra~1\Access~1\WORDPAD.EXE "%1 "
"C:\Program Files\Accessories\WORDPAD.EXE" "%1 "

Some applications use DDE and others do not. The general rule is that
if an application uses DDS and has the "%1" in the DDE section, then
it should not also be in the application section., i.e. one instance
of "%1" only.

Some applications do not need the "%1" at all. e.g. Notepad does not
need it as it does not accept multiple filenames so does not look for
spaces in the passed %1 parameter. Wordpad does need the %1 enclosed
in quotation marks as it would otherwise interpret the space in a name
like "C:\My Files\file.wri" as a filename separator and would assume 2
files, the first being "C:\My.wri "

...Alan
--
Alan Edwards, MS MVP W95/98 Systems

=========end copy/paste========

 

A comment and questions

This is somewhat of a comment about NS7, which I totally love over IE 5.5 except for those little annoyances.
Now, I'm confused, which is the better program Mozilla or Netscape 7? If Mozilla is the better browser is it better to just dump NS7 and use Mozilla?

Also, I found that I had to make IE5.5 my default browser over Netscape because IE won't let certain things happen unless it's the default browser.

Why I like Netscape 7: three words: fewer pop-ads.

With IE 5.5 the moment the browser window opens there's a popup ad, no matter what my default page is. Whatever site I visit there's a popup ad. I have "No Ads" installed, which doesn't work with IE, but it works beautifully with NS, eliminating at least 90% of the ads.

 

It's hard to say whether N7 or Mozilla is better. N7 is more polished than Mozilla, while Mozilla will always have the latest features. As far as IE, I haven't used it in years.

Why do you need an external pop-up blocker with N7? I never get pop-ups with Mozilla. Once you install the adblocker.xpi with N7, pop-ups should be gone.

tranquilo

 

Sal Gal, You're right about IE5.5, which is my husband's main browser. Pop-up ads all over the place! All those security issues too, which I have to keep on top of, since I do all the PC maintenance and upgrading.

I've made IE5.5 my default browser also , because for one thing, Internet Shortcuts (.url files on the desktop or start menu) didn't work unless IE was the default. Not a big deal, I think, which is the default browser.

As far as NS7 or Mozilla, I installed Mozilla since it was more up-to-date than the Netscape 6.2 that was out at the time. Now that NS7 is out, I would definitely consider it since I don't mind installing AIM (for the AIMophobics there are stripped down versions of NS7 available). I haven't gone into the details of what the 'standard' NS7 includes besides the browser, mail/news and AIM but the release notes are here: http://wp.netscape.com/eng/mozilla/ns7/relnotes/7.html

The Mozilla 1.0.1 release notes are here:
http://www.mozilla.org/releases/mozilla1.0.1/

Tranquilo,

Mozilla has an option built in, under Preferences, Advanced, Scripts and Windows: Open Unrequested Windows (which I've UNchecked). Is that all that's needed in Mozilla to disable most pop-up ads?

 

That should work. Also, you can add this line to your user.js if it's not already present.

user_pref( "dom.disable_open_during_load ", true);

Additionally, you can add these lines to change who controls the user-requested pop-up windows, you or the site.


user_pref( "dom.disable_window_open_feature.titlebar ", true);
user_pref( "dom.disable_window_open_feature.close ", true);
user_pref( "dom.disable_window_open_feature.toolbar ", true);
user_pref( "dom.disable_window_open_feature.location ", true);
user_pref( "dom.disable_window_open_feature.personalbar ", true);
user_pref( "dom.disable_window_open_feature.menubar ", true);
user_pref( "dom.disable_window_open_feature.scrollbars ", true);
user_pref( "dom.disable_window_open_feature.resizable ", true);
user_pref( "dom.disable_window_open_feature.minimizable ", true);


Mozilla will always be further ahead than Netscape. N7 = Mozilla 1.0/1.01, while Mozilla is already on 1.1/1.2 alpha

tranquilo

 

Sal gal,

If you're thinking about Mozilla because of the advanced features, and you want stability, then I would recommend Holger Metzger's "Compact " Version of Netscape. He has added most of the Mozilla 1.1 tweaks, which are absent from Netscpe 7.0.

However, if you want to run both Netscape 7.0 and Mozilla, and they are very compatible, then I would run Mozilla 1.1. It is very stable, whereas 1.2a is quite buggy, or at least the Netscape Champions are advising people to stick with 1.1 for the time being. Version 1.0 does have the FTP View Cross-Site Scripting Vulnerability, which was fixed in Version 1.1.
1.1 Download
Mozilla 1.1 Release Notes

Ramona

NOTE: Edited to show Mozilla Version 1.1... This would be the Version to use. The newest web surfing data leak can be deterred by turning off JavaScript.

 

Hi Alice. Thanks for all the info. I did locate the qtplugin.ocx in the Windows\System folder. However, when I right click on that file and check 'properties' there is only a 'General' and 'Version' tab available, no 'dependency' tab. Also found a bunch of other Quicktime related files in the Windows\System folder and in several other places on my C drive as well, but no qtplugin.inf anywhere and nothing relating to Quicktime in the Downloaded Files folder. Some of the QT files I located are from version 2.1, apparently left behind from an earlier install. That program sticks files in a lot a places. Like I said, it really tries to take over all your audio/visual applications.

Anyway, we got the Netscape sound and browser crashing problems resolved, got Winamp working again with IE and .mov files are being handled satisfactorly with QT in both Netscape and IE. If I get real ambitious, or further bugged, I will take your advice and listen in on a Quicktime forum somewhere, sometime.

I tried the expermient in Netscape by disabling the npaudio.dll plugin and letting Winamp be the helper application for .Wav files. After disabling the plugin, there was no Midi application listed so a created a new one for audio/midi MIME type setting Winamp as the handling application. The results were not very successful. As you suspected, embedded files would not play. Also I had trouble with .mid files playing, probably because I didn't set the helper application properly. Midi files were available to download, but not play from the web site. .Wav files played ok but when Winamp opened, so did a Winamp pop-up upgrade nag window which would cause the application to stall and I would have to do a CAD to close Winamp.

So, I'm back to using the npaudio.dll plugin which works just fine. I think I'll stay with it.

BTW, I did notice that apparently when I created the new Midi application, it changed the settings for the "Midi Sequence" application also. Previously it was being handled by WMP and listed a number of extensions. Now it is being handled by Winamp and only one extension, MID, is listed. No, I did not save the old handled by syntax.

If you have a "Midi Sequence" listed in your Netscape 4.79 application, please share the details with me. I haven't noticed any problems because of this change yet, but then I'm not sure what the "Midi Sequence" application does?

Thanks for listening.

P.S. I am posting a reply to your response on the Netscape 7 (Final) Release thread later tonight.

 

The 'dependency' tab is only for objects in the 'Downloaded Program Fies' folder, which is accessible from either Windows Explorer or from the IE Internet Options, General Tab, (TIF)Settings, View Objects button.

I'm far from being an expert on Netscape Helper Applications or Windows Filetypes! I kind of figured you wouldn't want WinAmp to handle midi files since you would need a plugin for embedded midi, as you found out. Windows Media Player also doesn't work with embedded midi in Netscape. It was meant for Internet Explorer, I guess, and works fine there.

When I mentioned awhile back that changing the 'application used to perform action' in a Netscape helper application doesn't change the Windows Filetype, that was based on my limited experience, changing application/msword (.doc files) from wordpad to wordview in NS4.79 helper apps, and creating a new helper for application/msword (wordview.exe) in Mozilla. In both cases, the Windows Filetype for .doc, application/msword mime type, remained wordpad, when the Netscape and Mozilla helper was changed to wordview. I just did a little experiment, and DELETED a helper application in Netscape preferences and it did remove the Windows Filetype (it was one I had created myself, for swf files) so things don't always work out as you would expect.

Getting back to your question, the main way Netscape decides what application or plugin to use for a file is according to the mime type. The ones that have plugins associated, like audio/x-midi and audio/midi, show "handled by Plugin ". I went through all my helper applications and found three other mime types for mid or midi files, all listed as mplayer2 files:

Mime: audio/x-mid
Extension: Mid Midi RMI
"C:\PROGRA~1\WINDOW~2\MPLAYER2.EXE "

Mime: audio/mid
Extension: Mid Midi RMI
"C:\PROGRA~1\WINDOW~2\MPLAYER2.EXE "

Mime: midi/mid
Extension: Mid Midi RMI
"C:\PROGRA~1\WINDOW~2\MPLAYER2.EXE "

Descriptions like "mplayer2 file" or "Midi Sequence" would just be labels, a way to identify a unique mime type. By the way, it is common for new helpers to be spun off, and you will show as many different helpers as you have mime types, and all can refer to .mid or .midi files.

Hope that helps !

PS I'll look at your other post in a bit - might have to be tomorrow. Got some yardwork to do!