Err Msg: Unable to Download an Appropriate Decompressor

• Microsoft Windows 95
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 4.0, 4.0 SP4
• Microsoft Windows Media Player versions 6.0, 6.1, 6.4
• Microsoft Windows 98
• Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

SYMPTOMS

When you try to play a file with Windows Media Player and the needed decompressor is not installed on the computer, you may receive the following error message:

Unable to download an appropriate decompressor. (Error=80040200)

CAUSE

This error message can occur for any of the following reasons:

• Microsoft Internet Explorer version 3.02 or later is not installed on your computer. Internet Explorer is required to install decompressors, which are files that enable you to play multimedia content. Although Internet Explorer is required to download decompressors, it does not have to be set up as the default browser.



• Your Internet security options are set too high to allow decompressors to be downloaded.



• Installation of the decompressor requires a restart of your computer but no restart occurred.



• The codec required to play the file is missing or damaged.



• You may be playing a file format that is not supported by Windows Media Player.

RESOLUTION

• To install the latest version of Internet Explorer on your computer, see the following Microsoft Web site:




http://www.microsoft.com/ie/download

Note that Internet Explorer 5 is included with Windows 98 Second Edition. Do not attempt to reinstall Internet Explorer 5 in Windows 98 Second Edition.


• To lower the Internet security level to medium, follow these steps:
  
  
  1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  
  
  
  2. Double-click Internet.
  
  
  
  3. On the Security tab, click Internet.
  
  
  
  4. Under Security Level For This Zone, move the slider to Medium or lower.
  
  
  
  5. Click OK.
  
  
  



• Restart your computer and try to play the file again.

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MORE INFORMATION

A codec is an algorithm used to compress and decompress sound or video files.

Additional query words: mplayer2

Keywords : kbenv kberrmsg win95 win98 mplayer win98se
Version : WINDOWS:6.0,6.1,6.4,95; winnt:4.0,4.0 SP4
Platform : WINDOWS winnt
Issue type : kbprb