gallick

Hi all, first posting here... I'm having a problem since I clean installed windows server 2003 EE on my laptop, most of them driver issues which i fixed...however, there is one issue concerning the playback of ANY type of video media file, on MULTIPLE players, (Core, WMP 9, mpegplayer, etc..). Everything worked fine when I had winxp pro installed (previous OS). There's not an upgrade issue because you can't upgrade from xp to server (hence the clean install). I narrowed the issue down to DirectX DirectDraw and Direct3D (and AGP Acceleration). When these options are disabled under DXDiag, I can play the video files. The same video drivers are installed that worked perfectly in winxp pro and get this...the REAL kicker is that ALL DirectDraw/3D tests are successful, yet I have to disable these to prevent WMP/any video player from locking up when playing with DD/D3D enabled. I snooped around forums and the symptoms are EXACTLY those of this thread, http://www.ntcompatible.com/thread18733-1.html with a few exceptions: -I am on winserver 2k3 -video card is ATI Radeon IGP320M w/128MB dedicated mem. There are NO updates available on windows update. None whatsoever. I've used the standard drivers provided by the manufacturer, modded versions (both Omega and DNA, multiple builds) and none of them allow playback with DD/D3D enabled. What the hell is going on? DD/D3D reports fine!!!

Well, I checked with ATI's support site...apparently Server 2k3 currently supports drivers for Rage XL products only. They then state that, "Windows Server 2003 is positioned as a business and corporate enterprise server Operating System. It is not intended for home or personal use." What a gyp. Thx for trying to help but you can't fix ATI's neglect.

Also, everything worked perfectly in WinXP Pro with the same drivers tested.

To rule out other possibilities, I've also tried reinstalling DX9b and WMP9 codecs, as well as installing WMP8 codecs, but still no luck. DirectX diagnostics report all DirectDraw and Direct3D tests are successful when I test them, but unless I disable them lockups occur during video playback.

DirectDraw and Direct3D accelerations are what CAUSES the problems (as stated previously), which is why I disabled them, because if I leave them enabled video playback locks up no matter what the video format no matter what the player. I already tried the windvd problem but no cigar, besides it is not an inherent problem with windvd as all video formats are affected and dvd playback does not work in WMP9 either. No official drivers provided by Compaq (my manufacturer) nor modded ATI drivers allow vid playback with DD/D3D acceleration. This extends to dvd playback. When I disable these accelerations, the video files work (as stated previously) but DVD playback still does not work and generates a "Cannot create overlay". And, as stated previously, there are NO updates available, meaning I have DirectX 9b. Please help.

Nope, no luck...it says "Can only be installed on widows xp (32-bit)..." on setup screen. Any other ideas?

Yes, thank you...I was aware of the beta but was wary to give it a try, esp. a Microsoft beta....I'll give it a shot...it must be a native codec installed with WMP that all video playback programs use that is incompatible...When I try dvd playback in windvd 6 with DD/D3D acceleration disabled it says "Create overlay failed". Otherwise it locks up with the accelerations. Well, I'll report back on WMP10!