Resolving Error Messages in Windows Media Player
Q. I am using Windows Media Player 11 and get an error message saying the library database has become corrupted.
When users of Windows Media Player 11 experience this problem, often they cannot read, add or remove items stored in the media library. As the error message explains, the library database has become corrupted. The user is unable to make any changes to the media information and the Monitor Folders list appears empty.
Q. How can I resolve this problem?
Luckily, this problem is easily fixed as Windows Media Player 11 has the capability of automatically rebuilding the corrupt database. To get things back to normal, follow the steps listed below. Close down the Media Player For users of Windows XP: Go to Start - Run and in the dialogue box that appears type: %user profile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Media Player. Click on OK. Select all the files stored in the folder. Go to File menu and press Delete. For users of Windows Vista: Go to Start - Run and in the dialogue box that appears type: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Media Player. Click on OK. Select all the files stored in the folder. Go to File menu and press Delete. As Windows Media Player rebuilds the database automatically, once you restart the application, everything should be back to normal.
Q. What should I do if this doesn't work?
If the problem still persists, follow the steps listed below: Close down the Media Player. For users of Windows XP: Go to Start - Run and in the dialogue box that appears type: %userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft. Click on OK. Select the Media Player folder. Go to the File menu and press Delete. For users of Windows Vista: Go to Start - Run and in the dialogue box that appears type: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft. Click on OK. Select the Media Player folder. Go to the File menu and press Delete. Restart Windows Media Player and the corrupt database should now have recovered and rebuilt itself.
Q. What can I do to prevent this happening again?
Corrupt databases occur for several reasons. " Poorly written software. To avoid this you should only install applications from known and reputable vendors. " Power failure or outages. It's a good idea to use a special socket, known as a surge protector, for all your computer equipment. This stops electrical current damaging your system or peripherals. Always unplug your PC and all equipment during thunderstorms to prevent damage occurring. " The operating system or software not having the latest updates installed. It's essential to keep all software on your PC up-to-date with the latest patches and definitions to ensure security threats are kept at bay and errors or bugs are mended. " Crashes or faults when data is being written. The best way to avoid crashes is to perform regular maintenance to your machine, ensuring it is kept clutter and error free, therefore lessening the chances of crashes occurring. Perform tasks such as disk cleanup, disk defragment and checkdisk on a regular basis. Run anti-virus scans and anti-spyware applications frequently. You should also keep the Windows registry clean and error free by using a reputable registry cleaner.
