Problems with MIDI files

Subject: Problems with MIDI files
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 03:51 PM

Forgive my ignorance but.... I'm having problems playing midi files with RealplayerBasic Ver.8. under Windows98. I just get a message saying I need an upgrade which will be done automatically - it then fails to pick up the Real website. If I try to run them with MSmediaplayer, it reports that I have no sound card, although this appears to be correctly installed.

Am I being particularly stupid?

Regards

Subject: RE: Problems with MIDI files
From: Ed Pellow
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 03:57 PM

Martin,

Before offering alternatives, I'd ask: can you listen to other stuff ie an audio CD via your soundcard?

Ed

Subject: RE: Problems with MIDI files
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 06:08 PM

Ed

Yes - and RealPlayer manages fine with WAV files etc.

Thanks

Regards

Subject: RE: Problems with MIDI files
From: Bernard
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 06:42 PM

Maybe you haven't got your MPU 401 activated on your soundcard setup - look in the properties to see if it's got the dreaded exclamation mark, or if it's crossed out in red.

Subject: RE: Problems with MIDI files
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 06:44 PM

Hi, Martin - can you play a MIDI file that's on your computer, as oppose to one that's here at Mudcat? If you don't have a MIDI to try, right-click on this click to play link and select "save target as" to download the file. Then click on it and try to play it. This tune is "Carrickfergus" from the database.

Now, try this Click to play link for "Blue Tail Fly" from Mudcat MIDIs. First, see if it plays, and then download it and try to play it.

Then come back and report your progress.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Problems with MIDI files
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 06:49 PM

Joe

No joy with ANY MIDI files, wherever obtained. I use RealDOwnload to take things down.

Bernard
I'll check that. Thanks

Regards

Subject: RE: Problems with MIDI files
From: Ed Pellow
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 07:04 PM

This may sound like a retrograde step, but

uninstall all things real audio (you can always reinstall them)

reboot your machine, and try then

ed

Subject: RE: Problems with MIDI files
From: Joe Offer
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 09:31 PM

Sounds like Ed's got the answer, Martin. If you uninstall RealPlayer, be sure to do it through the "remove programs" utility on your Control Panel (assuming you're using Windows). I'd agree that you should uninstall ALL "Real" products, and then install the ones you want. Sometimes, older versions of programs that are left behind can cause big problems.
I think my sound card is quite frequently the party responsible for lockups on my computer. You'd think that sound cards would be more stable by now, but they ain't.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Problems with MIDI files
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 10 Oct 00 - 09:53 PM

I would guess that if MediaPlayer is reporting that the soundcard is not installed that the problem lies there. I could be wrong but I would suspect that if something like Real was tying up the Midi resource, a "can not open MIDI device" type of error would be more likely.

I would be inclined to suggest reinstallation of the soundcard but, in the first instance, I would go to Settings/ControlPanel/System and have a look at the devices tab. What is listed there, and are there any marks such as the yellow exclamation mark next to any device in the sound section?

Jon

Subject: RE: Problems with MIDI files
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Oct 00 - 03:14 AM

Jon

No conflicts reported.

I'll follow up the other suggestions when I get a chance.

Regards