Having trouble with WMP10? look here
 

Hi there, Im a fairly new user of Lime wire and I love it. One problem I have encountered is that some of the Mp3's I have downloaded get an error message when I try to play them in windows media player 10. The error usually read "cannot play file" or "cannot play file because it is corrupt or the format is not supported"and under furthur information it states that WMP 10 doesnt support the codecs used to compress the file or that its a partial file. And yet I can play the files using limewires own media player so I knew the files were ok.
Microsoft have acknowledged that this is a bug in WMP 10 and have yet to resolve the issue or provide a patch although they have provided a patch for the same problem in WMP 9.
The problem is associated with the ID3 header (which all mp3 files have).
WMP10 has a problem with some of these headers and cant read them.
The way to alter the mp3 so that it becomes acceptable to WMP is to use a third party Tag editor, which I did. Its really easy to use and fast as well.
Im not sure if im allowed to post links so if anyone wants the link to the tag editor (which is freeware) or the microsoft knowlege base article about this issue then please P.M me.
Hope this helps.

I use WMP 9x because of the copyright situation with the RIAA & Microsoft and its WMP10 BS. It could also be corrupted files as well. Check the files in Winamp Player if you have it to see if its corrupt or if its WMP10 blocking the file because of the copyright. You'll have to try to test the file in a different player to make sure its ok. You shouldnt have to do all that extra work to get the MP3s to play. :)

I dont mind the extra work, I learn so much in the process but you are right in that it would be nice to just click and listen. I did check the files were ok using media player classic and BS player as well. In WMP 10 you can tell which files it isnt reading because it shows a zero file size even tho at source the files are of normal (5-8mb) size. Thats the best way of telling if its true corruption or a wmp error.:)

Part of the reason why I wont part with WMP 9x. I just want to listen to the music without the fuss. I do retag some of the files though so the player will read them the right way. :)

Yup I hear ya, WMP 10 is great for the kids, they can burn their own discs and synchronise media for their mp3 players with a minimum of fuss, so its a blessing to me. I havent had any copyright issues (yet) and if I do I'll certainly look at reverting to wmp9. In the meantime using a 3rd party tag editor is easy, you dont even have to change anything, just clicking on the suspect file and choosing to 'save tag' fixes the issue.
If you want a fix for the tag misread issue in wnp 9 its here. Might save you having to edit the tags.:)

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/814129/en-us