Error Message

[SKJohn]

I keep getting an error message that says "Real Player has stopped working".  As far as I know, I don't even use Real Player - can't find it on the list of programs.  I'm using Windows Vista.  Anybody else with Vista had this start up?  Ideas on how to correct it?

Thanks,
John

[Westy]

Soem part of it must be running somehow. One guy fixed the problem by removing
the program (detailed instructions in the topic below) and reinstalling it:

http://real.lithium.com/real/board/message?board.id=realplayer&thread.id=22728




Personally I'd remove Real Audio completely and use the better alternative

http://www.free-codecs.com/download/real_Alternative.htm

[OOZ662]

I'm not sure if msconfig works in Vista or not, but you certainly want to look into streamlining your computer by getting rid of unneeded services and background tasks.

What's most likely happening is RealPlayer's autoupdater program is running in the background. Its job is to sit there (munching your RAM and CPU cycles) and wait however many minutes, then go "Hey Server, is there an update? ...no? Guess I'll wait some more. ..... Hey server, is there an update?" Not only is that extremely useless (most programs check for updates when you start them anyway) but yours has apparently gone haywire and is hacking up error messages.

Use msconfig (type it in "Run") or some other program like EasyCleaner to clean up your Startup list to only contain things that are essential to keep your computer and its peripherals functioning. Not fully updated the millisecond a new version comes out, but functioning.

[Gunthr]

Its probably still there from way back when you installed Real Audio on Win95.  That crap is like trying to fling snot off your finger 

[SKJohn]

Its probably still there from way back when you installed Real Audio on Win95.  That crap is like trying to fling snot off your finger 

No - this computer was just built this past February and has only had Vista on it.  No Win95, ME, 2000, XP or any others.  I've done searches for anything starting with Real* and found nothing.  That's why it seems strange that a program that I can't even say for sure is on this computer is failing and generating error messages.

[TequilaChaser]

No - this computer was just built this past February and has only had Vista on it.  No Win95, ME, 2000, XP or any others.  I've done searches for anything starting with Real* and found nothing.  That's why it seems strange that a program that I can't even say for sure is on this computer is failing and generating error messages.

go to the RUN command and type in services.msc

then search thru each one running on your PC.you should find it there.....

disable it...(also check the properties and find out where it is hidden ( located ) on your HD  so you can manually remove it

good luck

[Chalenge]

Have you tried deleting temporary files and temporary internet files?

[SKJohn]

go to the RUN command and type in services.msc

then search thru each one running on your PC.you should find it there.....

disable it...(also check the properties and find out where it is hidden ( located ) on your HD  so you can manually remove it

good luck

Thanks for the idea, but, I tried that and was not able to locate it in the services list.  I read thru all the descriptions of all the services to see if RealPlayer was mentioned, but nothing about it anywhere.  Any other ideas?

[OOZ662]

Like I said, try msconfig in the Run dialogue. I've never tried it in Vista, but if it works like XP, clean out your Startup tab to contain only things needed at all times (such as antivirus or printer services).

[SKJohn]

Have you tried deleting temporary files and temporary internet files?

Thank you for the suggestion!
Yes, just tried it and rebooted - error message came up as soon as it restarted.  
Any other ideas?

[SKJohn]

Like I said, try msconfig in the Run dialogue. I've never tried it in Vista, but if it works like XP, clean out your Startup tab to contain only things needed at all times (such as antivirus or printer services).

Thanks for the idea.  Yes, RealPlayer is listed in the startup tab. (Why isn't it listed in the programs?) I uncheck the box next to it, and hit apply, and a few minutes later the computer just loads another version of it.  It's location is listed as:
HKLM (or HKCU) \software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

WHen I go there in the registry, I can't seem to find anything . . .

Very puzzling .  . . 

[OOZ662]

I wouldn't recommend playing around in the registry. If you want to delete them like that, download EasyCleaner. It's a rather old program, but I know it works (even in Vista). CCleaner would also be a good choice, though I know relatively little about it myself.

[TequilaChaser]

check this link out SKJohn,  it may be of help to you.......

http://www.blackviper.com/WinVista/servicecfg.htm

I  did not want to suggest using msconfig to find/fix your problem...for it alters your startup / registry in a different way and can lead to your system not booting up if you uncheck/unclick the wrong thing.......... ( meaning not recommended for the PC Novice, and I am not implying you are a Novice either )


I will always recommend using services.msc  over  msconfig ........same is noted on the above linked website.  as it is on most other sites I have visited for information in the past....... ( for older different windows OS's )

still hope you are able to solve your problem........

did you try googling or searching for the program/ software program files, you are having trouble with in locating and removing/disabling?

[OOZ662]

The problem with editing Services is that it does its intended job only...and 90% of what I have attempting to start with my computer are Programs, not Services. The same goes for all computers I worked on.

QuickTime, Acrobat, iTunes itself (not its related hooks), Real Player, autoupdaters, viruses, adware, malware, ect will not show up in the Services list.

[TequilaChaser]

Thanks for the idea.  Yes, RealPlayer is listed in the startup tab. (Why isn't it listed in the programs?) I uncheck the box next to it, and hit apply, and a few minutes later the computer just loads another version of it.  It's location is listed as:
HKLM (or HKCU) \software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run

WHen I go there in the registry, I can't seem to find anything . . .

Very puzzling .  . .  

if it automatically reloads itself, it has loaded an entry into the registry or bootup to reinstall itself..... there is an exe file hidden somewhere in a temp folder........... which you will be hardpressed to get access to, in most cases unless you use something like YOur Uninstaller 2008(or whatever version), EasyCleaner as Ooz mentioned or something similar........

this is like the mywebsearch toolbars, or the yahoo tool bars that keep repeatingly installing themselves, until you find the culprit file and get it off the HD......

Good Luck

The problem with editing Services is that it does its intended job only...and 90% of what I have attempting to start with my computer are Programs, not Services. The same goes for all computers I worked on.

QuickTime, Acrobat, iTunes itself (not its related hooks), Real Player, autoupdaters, viruses, adware, malware, ect will not show up in the Services list.

yes Ooz, you are correct........... I was in the mindset of tweaking the OS..not weeding out malicious programs, sorry


edit: found this doing a search for your problem, John.......

On Vista uninstall does not remove all the associated files. After the install, user-specific files are created, which do not get removed upon uninstall. As a result, the customized setting may be present in subsequent re-installation of the product. The information is stored in DTLocalDB and DTAdditionsDB files. These are hidden system files and can only be seen when the “include non-indexed, hidden and system files” check box is selected in Advanced search. Path for these files is similar to the following:c:\users\limited\AppData\Local\virtualstore\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Common\ where limited is user name. This issue is not present under Windows XP, as such database structure does not exist within it.

try CCleaner.   its free

http://www.ccleaner.com/