Resolved Windows Media Player freezes after 16 seconds

EVERY time I play an audio file with Windows Media Player the video and control (mouse/keyboard) FREEZES for 5 seconds after playing 16 seconds.

During this time the sound continues to play uninterrupted but the display freezes and I have NO control (mouse, keyboard etc) during the 5 seconds.
The 'elapsed' time freezes at 16 seconds (always) and then resumes at 21 seconds. This occurs EVERYTIME I play an audio file WAV or MP3.
It also occurs regardless if I have other processes running at the same time or not.

A few months ago I rebuilt the system by reformatting and re-installing all software without improvement.

What could be causing this? It seems to be a hardware issue but was not sure so posted here.

I also seem to have intermittent issues issues with other software and wondered if this could be related.

My system is -
Pentium 4 2.4Ghz
Gigabyte GA-8PE800 PRO motherboard with onboard sound
GeForce 4 MX440 display card
512mb DDR2700 ram
Windows XP Home

 

Forget about Windows Media Player 11 and use C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe

or download media player classic

 

Hello jparnold,

Have you tried another player?

If the same results or another problem, then I would say its hardware.

If not, then your software environment is the likely culprit.

Regards - Charles

 

Thanks guys for the tips.

I tried using mplayer2 and there was no freezing of display (well there is nothing to display anyway) and the 'elapsed time' continued to 'tick over' the seconds.

Another 'slowness' I have recently noticed is when creating a NEW FOLDER.
When I right click in a folder and then select NEW (by moving the mouse pointer over NEW) it takes AT LEAST 7 seconds before the window (menu) opens listing FOLDER, SHORTCUT etc.
This slowness was NOT always there. I do NOT notice any slowness with anything else I do, just when trying to create a new FOLDER.

Could I have a hardware problem?

 

check the environment

I think you 1st check the virus.
then check the driver.
when you play the video, not a audio, it freezes too??

 

Thanks

I have AVG (anti virus program) installed and get regular updates.

The freezing does NOT occur playing videos and does not occur playing audio files using mplayer2.