WMP 10 won't run in full mode on a corporate laptop

[dannychuckle]

Hi
My flatmate has a work laptop (running XP Pro) that he brings home, and i've created a little script for it to check if its connected to our wireless network, and if it is it maps our networked music folder to a drive.

The problem is I can't get Media Player 10 to switch to full mode. It doesn't have the Library/Rip/Burn... etc tabs at the top, and pressing the full mode button in the top right corner does nothing. I've uninstalled and reinstalled MP10 but it came up exactly the same. I've also been through every option as far as I can tell... Is there some way that XP can be set to do this? If so how do I un-set it? Or should I just install itunes or something similar?

ta
Danny

[AgentCrypto]

a policy is in place for WMP
check for software known as -WinSelect- by faronics

is there a check mark in the system tray

[dannychuckle]

I'll check tomorrow when I can get on the lappy

[dannychuckle]

ok, I'm back on the laptop! I can't find anything called winselect on here. I guess there must be a registry setting that controls this. There is an entry in Add/Remove Programs called 'Windows Media Format Runtime'. There's also the full WMP10 there as well...

[dannychuckle]

Ive uninstalled the MP runtime, uninstalled MP10, and reinstalled MP10, but it still wont let me into full mode...

[jrsweger]

a policy is in place for WMP
check for software known as -WinSelect- by faronics

is there a check mark in the system tray

There is likely a policy in place. Here is a reference for the Office XP resource kit that has a system policy editor http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/as...362921033.aspx. The Windows Media Player policies are located in the file Wmplayer.adm and is located in the \windows\inf folder. I found an entry in mine referencing "Lock out full mode" but there doesn't appear to be any policy in place (shouldn't be). I don't know if you can download the Office XP Resource kit and install it if you don't have Office XP (didn't try it).

[dannychuckle]

ah- cheers!

I've found wmplayer.adm and tried editing the file directly by removing the skinlockdown section and saving it, but it had no effect. I guess that file is refereced by something in the registry but this is the key:

"Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlaye r"

and i can't find a key mentioning skinlockdown there. I can't get into the policy editor so it looks like I'm stuck with this unless I can find the registry key to change.
ta again
Danny

[jrsweger]

ah- cheers!

I've found wmplayer.adm and tried editing the file directly by removing the skinlockdown section and saving it, but it had no effect. I guess that file is refereced by something in the registry but this is the key:

"Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlaye r"

and i can't find a key mentioning skinlockdown there. I can't get into the policy editor so it looks like I'm stuck with this unless I can find the registry key to change.
ta again
Danny

Danny.

Did you mean Skinlockdown? I would think you should be looking for Lockoutfullmode.

[jrsweger]

ah- cheers!

I've found wmplayer.adm and tried editing the file directly by removing the skinlockdown section and saving it, but it had no effect. I guess that file is refereced by something in the registry but this is the key:

"Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlaye r"

and i can't find a key mentioning skinlockdown there. I can't get into the policy editor so it looks like I'm stuck with this unless I can find the registry key to change.
ta again
Danny

I downloaded and installed the Office XP Resource Kit. There is a Group Policy editor in that if you can't get to GPEDIT.MSC. The "Set and Lock Skin" is under the User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Media Player\User Interface section. I guess the way to block the usage of these things is to use a skin that doesn't have the features on it.

Get the resource kit here: http://www.microsoft.com/office/orkarchive/xpddl.htm and look for ORKTOOLS.EXE

[dannychuckle]

I'm back on the laptop - haven't had access to it for a while!

Thanks for the replies jrsweger - I've installed the ORK but I can't see a Group Policy Editor - I've got a system policy editor, and if I open that I have the option of open policy or open registry. If I choose registry then I get the option of local computer or local user. I can't see any options in there for media player though

[jrsweger]

I'm back on the laptop - haven't had access to it for a while!

Thanks for the replies jrsweger - I've installed the ORK but I can't see a Group Policy Editor - I've got a system policy editor, and if I open that I have the option of open policy or open registry. If I choose registry then I get the option of local computer or local user. I can't see any options in there for media player though

Sorry, I must have been doing it from memory. It really is System Policy Editor. Click on open registry then double click on Local User. You will then have a list with a bunch of Microsoft names and Windows names. I found Windows media player under Windows components.

You may have to go to Options and click on Policy Template then click ADD then navigate to \Windows\inf\wmplayer.adm and select it.

Once you get it added hopefully you can see the Windows media player under Windows components. Open up Windows Media Player, then open User Interface. Click on Set and lock skin. See if there is a name located there.

I haven't been able to locate anywhere that they block full mode however I have seen where there was mention about using skins to remove or block features.

Hope this helps. If not, we'll keep looking.

[dannychuckle]

jrsweger, you're a star! Added wmplayer.adm, opened the registry and unchecked 'Set and Lock Skin'.

lovely.

cheers,
Danny

[jrsweger]

jrsweger, you're a star! Added wmplayer.adm, opened the registry and unchecked 'Set and Lock Skin'.

lovely.

cheers,
Danny

Awesome...... Pleasure to be of assistance!