IE 'Media Bar' No Longer Available with XP Service Pack 2

I just recently:

1) UPGRADED from: Windows Media Player 9 to version 10.

2) Installed Windows XP Service Pack 2.

Everything appears to be working well, EXCEPT:

One of the things I really enjoyed BEFORE upgrading to Windows Media Player 10 & installing XP Service Pack 2, was the ability to play & view music-videos directly from within IE6, via the IE 'Media Bar' feature.

Unfortunately, Unbeknownst to me until 'after' I installed the above updates, I've discovered that Microsoft has REMOVED the IE Media Bar Feature in XP Service Pack 2, so it's no longer possible to view the 'Windows Media Player' within the Internet Explorer (side bar) window. I'm curious WHY Microsoft removed this cool feature with XP Service Pack 2, as well as like to know if the Media Bar feature no longer works when running 'Windows Media Player 9' (and XP Service Pack 2) as well.

Interested to hear if any other people here are experiencing something similar. In the meantime, here a couple of links I found on this subject.
http://www.mcse.ms/archive167-2004-9-999560.html
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/readme.aspx#144627


Feedback appreciated.

Scott

You're still using IE???? Shame Shame...You should be using Mozilla :P

... and that might just be the reason why!
You all know how Microsoft is target of many companies that see Microsoft as a monopolist. Maybe Microsoft had to remove this option. (It's just a guess)

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drdalet

Mine's just a guess, too, but I very much doubt it. Certainly the 900 lb gorilla can do THAT if it chooses to.

I highly recommend the Opera browser. You can get it free with banner ads, or pay 40$ for the registered ad-free version. I only use IE for those sites that are not truly web-standard compliant, but only IE compliant. (Which is not very often, and getting less so.)

Look folks the question is about IE not about the alternatives. It's like Scott is saying "My Ford broke down, how do I fix the brakes" and you lot are saying "Buy a Chevy instead".

I'm an IE6 user too, now running with XP SP2. Trouble is I've never used the media bar! I'll have a look at this when I get home.

There's a microsoft page which may help: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/preferences/media.mspx

http://www.mozilla.org

Mozilla FireFox is a pure pleasure vs IE try it!

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 09-13-2004).]

... still not answered the question though.

Not that I've got any ideas... I had a play with IE6 at home last night and got nowhere!

Sorry

I have just downloaded Service pack 2 and I can't believe how much better the coffee tastes

http://www.neilturner.me.uk/2004/Mar/21/xp_service_pack_2_review.html

According to the above site:
"Another change is the removal of the Media Bar, which was only introduced in the first release of IE6. The official line from Microsoft on this is that it has been removed as a security feature, and that users can now use Windows Media Player instead. It’s not a feature I’m going to miss as in the 2 1/2 years that’s it been around I can’t say I’ve ever used it.


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drdalet

Donny, tell me more... anyone else using this?

Scott what's the big deal with the media bar?

IMO Windows Media Player is so much better.
It has an equalizer, SRS WOW Affects. The abilty to add to a playlist, and so much more.

By the way, what is different in WMP10 compared to WMP9.

Larry Hawk

Side Note:
I installed SP2 via the free CD from Microsoft. I could connect to the Internet, but I could not browse in IE6. (Page cannot be displayed). I called my ISP, they told me to remove SP2. I did, and IE6 Browser is working again.

Hi Larry, the thing I appreciated about the IE media bar was that you actually view the Windows Media Player itself from within IE instead of having it appear in a separate (Window Media player) window and accidently get hidden from view when browsing on the internet. The Windows Media Player effects you mentioned were also easily available if you wanted to adjust them. The removal of Windows Media Player/IE integration feature is more of a minor convenience loss than anything else I suppose.

All my applications programs (including IE6) are working fine after installing SP2. Though I don't know for sure, I suspect your Internet Firewall security settings may have been changed following the SP2 upgrade, and that simply adjusting this may have corrected the problem.

Scott

Alright people, I just received my XP service pack 2...So tell me..do I install it or not? Will it correct anything that I am not aware of being wrong with my OS? What will it fix?
I haven't opened the package yet...should I or not?

Fran, since you're already running Windows XP manufactered by Microsoft, and it's Microsoft Corporation itself that is strongly advising ALL Windows XP users to install SP2, I say, go ahead.

Though the principal new features of SP2 are it's new advanced security features, Microsoft advised me that there are other essential XP improvements and bug fixes which neccessitate installing this upgrade as well. Though I personally prefer to use Norton Personal Firewall for my firewall protection, I still upgraded to SP2 to insure I have the latest XP enhancements & bug fixes. I've been running all my existing application programs (from Word, Excel, Photoshop, VideoStudio, Norton Systemworks, NAV, to all my music programs) without a single glitch.

Based on my experience with the upgrade, I'd say you're safe to go ahead. Afterall, it's Microsoft itself that's STRONGLY urging all XP users to install it. AFterall, would Bill lie to us?

Scott

Scott, I am going to give it a shot.

If it ain't broke don't fix it....

While Scotty Yee says go ahead, I think you should be aware of some pitfalls you could possibly encounter Fran if you decide to install SP2 that have been reported not only by several well reputed computer 'experts', but also by many other 'computer users' who have been thrown for a loop after installing SP2. One prime example is Scott Yee with the Media Bar in IE that stopped working.

You just may want to wait a while to let Microsoft get a handle and fix all of the reported flaws in SP2 before you decide to upgrade Fran. Besides all of the reported software AND hardware conflicts that are being reported, there are also 'security' flaws that have been reported in SP2.

Please though, before you decide to install SP2, I would recommend you make a back up copy of your entire Registry and use the MS System Restore feature to make a restore point prior to the time of install of SP2.

Then 'close' ALL running programs on your computer, i.e. Virus Scanners, Firewalls, or any other program running in the System Tray.
If you know your way around the 'Windows Task Manager' you should also close all running Applications and Processes in the Task Manager too.

Then after having done all that, "pray real hard" and click install.

Best regards,
Mike



[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 09-20-2004).]