Microsoft KB Archive/326301

= PRB: Media Player Cannot Play Some MP3 Files =

Article ID: 326301

Article Last Modified on 6/3/2004

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows Media Player for Pocket PC
 * Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 software for Pocket PC Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q326301



SYMPTOMS
Whey you try to play MP3 files, you may receive the following error message:

Windows Media Player cannot find the file.

If you try to run the same file through the File Explorer on the Pocket PC, Windows Media Player loads, but then does nothing, as if no file to play exists.



CAUSE
Windows Media Player 8.0 for Pocket PC 2002 follows the MP3 specification more strictly than necessary. This causes the player to reject files that are not &quot;perfect&quot; (but that still follow the MP3 specification).



RESOLUTION
To produce files that Windows Media Player can play, use one of the following methods:
 * Re-create the files with a different encoder.
 * If you are familiar with the options that are available on your preferred encoder, make sure that they are set for error correction and that the files are produced as cleanly as possible.
 * Use Windows Media Player to create Windows Media Audio (WMA) files, which are also playable on Pocket PC.



STATUS
The next update to the Windows Media Player for Pocket PC 2002 permits more variation in the MP3 file format and can play a wider range of MP3 files.

Keywords: kbprb kbdswce2003swept KB326301

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