Computer help needed urgently

Question

What's "windows media 6.4 player shim" and why do I have to download it to play a yahoo radio station.

I'm wondering because I have Version 9 installed, so why do I need an older version to play audio/video. On my desktop I have version 11 installed and I'm never asked to download "windows media 6.4 player shim". I researched this a little and it seems that when version 9 was downloaded/installed it overwrote something called mplayer2.exe. So I would guess that there are compatibility issues, or something like that. Is this related to this related to this in any way? http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aq8727au.2TNrYFiGCY3QaTsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20080801144833AAvpraG

If I download this "shim" will it s***w up my computer in any way. Please give a detailed answer but not to complicated, and please include links. Thank's in advance, remember best answer get's TEN points, and the satisfaction of knowing that they helped someone.

Answer 1

No it won't s***w up your computer in anyway. I am not sure if you can downgrade your Windows Media Player though to 6.4 Shim . If you do though then it won't s***w up. Have you tried accessing this station with Version 11 Windows Media Player ? New Versions are made to solve bugs, better features, and better compatibility. Try with Ver 11. If that doesn't work try using another audio player such as real player maybe? Downgrading software will probably lose some of your new better features.

Answer 2

Your question is confusing.  You have 9 & 11 but you don't say which computer needs the shim.

Definition of a shim: A shim, in computing terms, is a piece of code inserted between two existing layers of code.

Windows Media Player 9 Series uses a shim for backwards compatibility with Windows Media Player 6.4

If you had 11 on both you probably would not need the shim.

Whether or not it will mess up your computer, who's to tell?  It's a Microsoft product.

And WOW.  Ten whole points. gee whiz.

I'm a medic.  I save peoples lives.