Windows Cannot find "null"

[westeo]

In the past when I click my PowerDesk (Explorer equivalent), windows media player will open and play the music on the HD.
Now, all those same pieces of music would not open. I get the message that says, in part, " windows cannot find "null"... What is wrong?
If I use Media Player Clasic, the music will play. Can someone enlighten me on this? I uninstall Windows Media Player and install Winamp, I encounter the same problem. What is the matter? It never use to be like this. (By the way, I do not set any player as default. I activate it manually.)

Thanks.

[boredus]

i'm pretty sure its a dependency problem what is happening windows the program's executable files or DLL file cannot find a valid output stream from the source, then again it could be a registry problem, try uninstalling youre players totally , rebooting, then reinstalling the application and see if that fixes the problem, this is just a shot in the dark.

[westeo]

Thanks, Bore.
I have tried that, it did not work. It puzzles me because for years I have had no problem. Then suddenly the player won't open.

[Troy]

Heres what Microsoft (http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=832978) says about your problem.

[boredus]

/me gets out his chrystal ball.
(just a guess, microsoft's solution is a 100 word disertation about path's and pimp the latest service pack)

[westeo]

Troy,
Thanks for the reference. The unfortunate thing is that my XP has SP2 plus all the other updates as of a couple of weeks ago. There is nothing that need updated. And, until a few only few days ago, everything was loadable, etc. No problem. I have unload Media Player and reinstall - done all that, to no avail.

[Troy]

Is their any chance sp2 is the cause of the problem?
I know there are a few people who have problems with it.

[westeo]

I have had sp2 for a long time and it never cause any trouble for me. No new stuff being put there; that is what is so puzzling. Well ...