Why does my music stutter when using MS MediaPlayer?

Question

I have closed all other programmes and played around with my virtual memory, but when playing music it stutters for a few seconds every few minutes. I have a recent Dell with a good spec. Any answers welcome, unless someone tells me to buy a new computer!

Answer 1

Yes you should use WinAmp for playing your music. It is by far the best media player, specially for playing music,

http://www.winamp.com/player

Answer 2

Because MSMP is a bulky program. That is it.

Use Billy or Winamp.

http://www.sheepfriends.com/?page=billy

http://www.winamp.com/

Answer 3

It might be a hardware fault or a background service/application kicking in; but try this solution first

Go to start->

Control Panel

Click Sound (in Vista = Hardware and Sound)

Select Playback tab

Select Speakers/Headphones entry

Click Properties

Select Enhancements Tab

Disable all enhancements

[If you don't see a "Speakers/Headphones" entry under the "Playback" tab, then right click in the box and select "Show Disabled Devices".]

Answer 4

I have that same problem when I try to play music/movies while I've got something in my CD/DVD drive. Apparently it's a problem with either the drive or the audio system.

Though this may not be helpful for you...

Answer 5

There is a conflict somewhere, perhaps with drivers.

I suggest you visit the Dell site and get the latest drivers.  You can do it manually, or they offer a little ActiveX thing that will probe your system and fid out-of-date drivers automatically.

Perhaps defragging the drive would be a help.  

Do you think the drive could be going bad and it hits a place where it must read and reread, causing the stutter?