How to fix IE7 to watch Netflix videos?

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Fernando - 16 Jun 2008 03:08 GMT

I am having a hard time to get my IE7 to work with Netflix videos again.
According to Netflix support the last IE update (I have updates set to
automatic) might have done some changes. Everytime I press play in a Netflix
instant to watch a video right at the time the video is about to start IE
stops working and then restarts.

I've tried a number of steps given to my by HP (the manufacturer) and by
Netflix. None of it work. I decided to go solo and try to fix by installing
IE8 beta. Didn't work.

I was giving this link www.vdat.com/techsupport/PRNwindowstest.asp to test
my IE to work with instant stream video. Thus far I was unable to pass this
test. Could somebody give me a hand?

Thank you so much.

Reply to this Message

VanguardLH - 16 Jun 2008 03:31 GMT

> I am having a hard time to get my IE7 to work with Netflix videos again.
> According to Netflix support the last IE update (I have updates set to
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Thank you so much.

That test web page requires ActiveX be enabled to play the video. Do
you have AX enabled in IE?

Load Windows Media Player (WMP). In its options, assign all filetypes
to WMP. Exit and retest IE.

That page uses streamed video. Are you using any capturing software to
grab the streamed data?

Tried yet to load IE7 in its no add-ons mode?

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Fernando - 16 Jun 2008 12:54 GMT

WMP no longer has an option for selecting files (Fie Types) tab in Options.
I disabled all ad ons and it did not work.
Active content is enabled in IE.

I am actually considering uninstall and reinstall WMP and IE7 but apparently
that cannot be done in Vista anymore. That is disappointing.

Can you think of a way to uninstall and reinstall them?

Thank you for your support.

> > I am having a hard time to get my IE7 to work with Netflix videos again.
> > According to Netflix support the last IE update (I have updates set to
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
> Tried yet to load IE7 in its no add-ons mode?

Reply to this Message

Donald Anadell - 16 Jun 2008 15:48 GMT

> WMP no longer has an option for selecting files (Fie Types) tab in
> Options.

That's correct , when using Windows Vista you have to use the Control
Panel.... Programs||Default Programs||Set Associations.
http://ask-leo.com/where_did_file_associations_go_in_windows_vista.html

Here's how that Test site you posted works to get the video streamed to your
computer.

When you click on the link you supplied:
http://www.vdat.com/techsupport/PRNwindowstest.asp

The Html file contains an Embedded Object tag that points to a Playlist file
using the following link in the Object tag:
http://video.vdat.com/playfile.asp?brand=VD&file=PRNStinger.asf&stream=w

This link points to a .asx file called "playfile.asx".

Inside the "Playfile.asx" file is the actual link to the test video that is
Streamed to your computer using the mms:// protocol:

mms://a379.m.akastream.net/7/379/1459/1136474811/video.vdat.com/EncodedMedia/vdat/video/windows/PRNStinger.asf

So you might make sure that both the .asf and .asx file extensions are
associated with Windows Media Player.
You might also check the "Network" tab in Windows Media Player Options and
make sure all the MMS Rollover protocols have checkmarks next to them.

You should be able to paste either of the following two links directly into
Windows Media Player using "File||Open URL..."

http://video.vdat.com/playfile.asp?brand=VD&file=PRNStinger.asf&stream=w
mms://a379.m.akastream.net/7/379/1459/1136474811/video.vdat.com/EncodedMedia/vdat/video/windows/PRNStinger.asf

And see the test video played in Windows Media Player. If the test video
doesn't play pasting the links above directly into Windows Media Player then
maybe you have a third party Firewall||Security Application that is blocking
the Stream.

> I disabled all ad ons and it did not work.

It won't work for sure if you disable all Add-ons because the Windows Media
Player ActiveX Control "wmpdxm.dll" is required in order for the Video to
play in the Browser.

> Active content is enabled in IE.
>
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> Can you think of a way to uninstall and reinstall them?

Can't be done.

The closest thing to a repair of IE7 in Vista is to use RIES(Reset Internet
Explorer Setting):
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737

If you attempt to use RIES, be sure to read the Article closely about the
changes it makes.

Lastly, I would suggest you post this problem in the Windows Media Player
news group where you will get specific help with Windows Media Player
problems.

Good luck,

Donald Anadell

> Thank you for your support.
>
[quoted text clipped - 31 lines]
>>
>> Tried yet to load IE7 in its no add-ons mode?

Reply to this Message

Fernando - 23 Jun 2008 05:08 GMT

> So you might make sure that both the .asf and .asx file extensions are
> associated with Windows Media Player.
> You might also check the "Network" tab in Windows Media Player Options and
> make sure all the MMS Rollover protocols have checkmarks next to them.

Checked that. Both extensions are associated with wmp. All three MMS
rolloever boxes checked.

> You should be able to paste either of the following two links directly into
> Windows Media Player using "File||Open URL..."
> http://video.vdat.com/playfile.asp?brand=VD&file=PRNStinger.asf&stream=

mms://a379.m.akastream.net/7/379/1459/1136474811/video.vdat.com/EncodedMedia/vdat/video/windows/PRNStinger.asf

> And see the test video played in Windows Media Player. If the test video
> doesn't play pasting the links above directly into Windows Media Player then
> maybe you have a third party Firewall||Security Application that is blocking
> the Stream.

Checked both links and both make my wmp stop working.
I use Avast as Anti-virus and I disabled it, but it did not help. The only
firewall in my computer is windows firewall.

> > I disabled all ad ons and it did not work.
>
> It won't work for sure if you disable all Add-ons because the Windows Media
> Player ActiveX Control "wmpdxm.dll" is required in order for the Video to
> play in the Browser.

Thank you so much for shedding some light to the problem. I checked the
Active X on my Manage Add-ons and there is simply nothing listed there!! Does
that mean I do not have the Active X I need to steam video on wmp? How do I
get this Active X back?

I will look for the other tread Windows Media, playes, but you guys were
very helpful here.
Thank you.

> > Active content is enabled in IE.
> >
[quoted text clipped - 56 lines]
> >>
> >> Tried yet to load IE7 in its no add-ons mode?

Reply to this Message

Donald Anadell - 23 Jun 2008 12:27 GMT

>> So you might make sure that both the .asf and .asx file extensions are
>> associated with Windows Media Player.
[quoted text clipped - 38 lines]
> very helpful here.
> Thank you.

Hi,

I don't have anything further to suggest. You would be better served
posting about this problem in the Window Media Player news group:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/community/newsgroups/WindowsMedia/
default.mspx?dg=microsoft.public.windowsmedia.player&lang=en&cr=US

Good luck,

Donald Anadell

>> > Active content is enabled in IE.
>> >
[quoted text clipped - 63 lines]
>> >>
>> >> Tried yet to load IE7 in its no add-ons mode?

Reply to this Message

VanguardLH - 16 Jun 2008 21:54 GMT

> ... cannot be done in Vista anymore ...

Oh, Vista. You didn't mention which version of Windows in your original
post so I had to guess.

See Don's post and the web page link therein on how to configure which
filetypes are associated with what application.

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