Trouble installing Realplayer

[derekpara]

I can't install Realplayer. It starts to install then about halfway through it quits and the whole loading box disappears, leaving no message and no installation. I am running Windows XP with Firefox.. Can anyone help ?

Thanks.

D

[Buenchico]

Possible solutions:
1. Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete. Go into Task Manager and disable all of the programs which are running in the background on your PC (such as your anti-virus software) in case one of them is preventing you from installing Realplayer. (Simply restart your PC to get all of those programs working again).

2. Try downloading Realplayer again; the installation file might be corrupt.

3. Try loading an older version of Realplayer. (Any recent version should do):
http://www.oldapps.com/real.php

4. Try Real Player Alternative 1.90:
http://www.oldapps.com/real_player_alt.php

Chris

[derekpara]

Chris, Ive opened Task Manager but not clear what tab to go to in order to disable the programs you suggest. Can you elaborate for me, please. I'm not very well clued up.

Thanks.

Derek

[Buenchico]

The tab you require is the 'Applications' one. To close a program, click on it and then on 'End Task'.

Although most programs can be installed without shutting down background tasks, it's always best to close everything (except Explorer and Systray, which you need to keep running) before attempting to install anything new.

Chris

[derekpara]

Thanks, Chris, but the applications box is empty ! Any idea where I go from here ?

D

[Buenchico]

There's definitely something odd going on if the 'Applications' tab doesn't show any running programs. It seems that there's a registry error. You might need to get a computer technician to take a look at your PC but (since the only problem that you've experienced up to now relaters solely to installing Realplayer) it might be simplest just to try alternative software (as suggested in points 3 & 4 of my first post).

Chris

[derekpara]

Thanks again, Chris.

I've installed an earlier version but when I try to record a clip I get the message 'New software required to play this clip.' When I OK, another message follows ' There is no software update from Real to support this content.' (dnet)

The Real Player Alternative plays music OK but when I go to, say YouTube to download a clip I cant get the normal RealPlayer label which in the past has enabled me to do it.

Finally, I'll get someone to check out my system. Thanks again. Any further assistance would be appreciated.

Derek

[Buenchico]

I'm sorry that my suggestions haven't worked but (if you're seeking to save streamed video) you seem to be doing things the hard way to start with.

Streamed video (from Youtube and similar sites) arrives at your PC in FLV format. To retain optimal quality it's best to save the file in the same format, and then to play the files with a video player that works well with that format. Simply go here
http://keepvid.com/
and drag the 'bookmarklet' onto your links toolbar. When viewing a video you want to save simply click the 'Keep It!' button, renaming the file from the default name offered to your own choice of name and (importantly) adding the .flv file extension. (e.g. choose something like "banjo.flv")

To play your video files, use a decent media player. Both of these are far better than Windows Media Player and RealPlayer put together:

VLC:
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

GOM:
http://www.gomlab.com/eng/

Chris

[ChuckFickens]

Did you try suggestion No. 2 in Chris's first post?

2. Try downloading Realplayer again; the installation file might be corrupt.

[derekpara]

Thanks, Chuck. Yes, I did try installing an earlier version. See my reply two or three back.

Derek

[derekpara]

Chris, It's not so much the videos I'm after - although I have saved one or two in the past - its the music I want to save and then burn to CD. Will your latest suggestions let me do that ?

Sorry for being a numpty !

Derek

[Buenchico]

Chuck's suggestion is that you should download the LATEST version of Realplayer again. It's possible that there's an error with your original download.

Chris

[Buenchico]

Our posts crossed there, Derek.

I've not tried this, but it looks like it might help you:
http://www.listentoyoutube.com/

Chris

[derekpara]

Looks like that link might be the solution to my problem.

Thanks again, Chris.

Derek

[TTG]

Try vlc player....less resource hungry and no as bloated as Real Player.