Mmsystem 281

Every time I try to listen to an audio clip, this error message pops up :

MMSYSTEM 281 - This file could not be played. Check the filename or install a driver that supports this type of file.

Since I am computer illiterate, I do not have the faintest idea of what to do! Where do I get this "driver" or file? Is there something that I can download to get this driver so I can listen to the audio clips?

I would appreciate any and all help - please explain in REALLY simple language though as I have no idea how to do just about anything on this thing!

 

Does this happen with all audio files (wav, MP3, midi, etc.)?
Are you using windows media player to play audio files?


I found this solution when searching for that error, try it and see
if it helps. Just follow the steps as outlined and post back if it helps.


This behavior can occur if one of the Media Control Interface (MCI) Devices is disabled, not installed, or the line for the device is missing in the Win.ini file.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue:
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click the Multimedia icon.
3. On the Advanced tab in Windows 95, or on the Devices tab in Windows 98, double-click Media Control Devices.
4. Click Wave Audio Device (Media Control), and then click Properties.
5. Click Use This Media Control Device, and then click OK.
6. Repeat steps 4-5 for MIDI Sequencer Device (Media Control) and Motion Video Device (Media Control), and then click OK.
7. Close Control Panel, and then restart Windows.

Here's a microsoft article describing the error- (states only that it applies to win95):
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q141349

 

I went to the Control Panel as you advised but I don't even have a multimedia icon! Help!

 

I'm stumped as to why you do not have a multimedia icon. It looks like some musical notes on a staff and is within the control panel.
Are you getting any sound at all? Do you have a speaker icon in the systray? (it would be to the right of the time in the bottom right hand corner of your screen)
O.k. Let's try this:

press the "start" button on your taskbar then scroll up to "settings "
then click on "control panel ". Once the control panel is open you will have a bunch of icons in it. On the top menu bar click on "view" then scroll down to "arrange icons ", then click "by name. "
They will now be arranged alphabetically. Double-check to make sure that the multimedia icon is not there.
If not, then double click on the "add/remove programs" icon.
A box will open up and at the top of the box click on the "windows setup" tab. Now, click on the down arrow in the components box until you see "multimedia ". Click on it once
Beside the "details" button it will show how many multimedia components are installed on your computer(if any) and then click the "details" button this will bring up a details box. Check everything in it - click "have disk" and then insert your windows cd. It will install any components that have not already been installed.
To tell you the truth, I don't really know if this is your problem but I can't for the life of me figure out why you have no multimedia icon.
Post back and let us know!

 

Thanks for all your help. I don't have a Windows CD only a Master Recovery package - is that the same thing? The Windows 98 was installed my computer when I got it.
I did all the steps you mentioned but without a disk to put in I don't know what to do. It looks like I should have the multi-media on here but it doesn't show in the icons on the Control panel. It is listed in the component box.
Sorry to be such a pain!

 

First, you're not being a pain. This is what this forum is for- Help!
If you only have a recovery cd it is probably not set up the same way as the windows cd, that is to say you will not be able to install the components from your cd. I know that I could not install those components that way- I also have an oem recovery cd. On my computer, the files are actually stored in c:\win98.
You could try doing a search for cab files (files that actually contain the windows operating system) on your computer. Many oem manufacturers set up windows this way.
Press the "start" button then scroll up to "find ", then click on "files or folders ". In the named box type "*.*cab" without the quotation marks. If it finds any of these files there will be a column for "named" - the name of the files and "in folder" - this is the folder where the files are located. Make note of the folder that they are in - this is the folder you will want to direct windows to when installing the missing multimedia components. If you follow my instructions above, when you click "have disk" it will come up with a "copy manufacturer's file from" box. In that box type c:\win98 (this is if c is the drive windows is installed on and win98 is the folder containing the cab files.
Let me know if this helps- I know it sounds confusing- Sometimes it's a little hard to describe these things in writing but I'm doing my best.
Good luck- Hope this helps!