Error: MMSYSTEM281 This file could not be...(due to WIN.INI missing entry).
Error:
MMSYSTEM281 This file could not be played. Check the file name, or install a driver that supports this type of file.
Cause:
The entry for the type of file being played is missing from the [mci extensions] section of the Win.ini file, or there is an incorrect Media Control Device association for the type of file being played.
Solution:
Use the EDIT command from the MS-DOS prompt to edit Win.ini, and put the correct entry in the [MCI extensions] section of the file. Remove and reinstall any Media Control devices that are not working correctly.
Do one or both of the following:
1) Edit Win.ini:
a) Click the 'Start' button to display the 'Start' menu.
b) Select 'Programs' and select 'MS-DOS Prompt'.
c) If necessary, type the following at the MS-DOS prompt and press ENTER:
CD WINDOWS
d) Type the following at the C:\WINDOWS prompt and press ENTER:
EDIT WIN.INI
e) Add the necessary information to the [MCI extensions] section of the Win.ini file.
EXAMPLE: mid=Sequencer
rmi=Sequencer
wav=waveaudio
avi=AVIvideo
mov=QTWVideo
pic=QTWVideo
jpg=QTWVideo
f) Select the 'File' menu and select 'Save'.
g) Select the 'File' menu and select 'Exit' to close Notepad.
h) Type the following at the C:\WINDOWS prompt and press ENTER to return to Windows 95:
EXIT
2) Remove any Media Control devices that are not working correctly:
a) Click the 'Start' button to display the 'Start' menu.
b) Select 'Settings' and select 'Control Panel'. (The 'Control Panel' window appears.)
c) Double-click the 'Multimedia' icon. (The 'Multimedia Properties' dialog box appears.)
'Multimedia' icon
d) Click the 'Advanced' tab.
e) Double-click 'Multimedia Drivers' to expand the branch.
f) Double-click the appropriate multimedia branch to expand the branch and view all devices.
g) Select the appropriate device and click 'Properties'. (The multimedia device 'Properties' dialog box appears.)
'Properties'
h) Click 'Remove'. (The 'Remove' dialog box appears.)
'Remove' button
i) Click 'Yes' to remove the device.
'Remove' dialog box
NOTE: Click 'No' to prevent the device from being removed.
j) Repeat steps 2)f) through 2)i) for any additional devices that are not working correctly.
k) Click 'OK' to close the multimedia device 'Properties' dialog box.
l) Click 'OK' to close the 'Multimedia Properties' dialog box.
m) Select the 'File' menu and select 'Close' to exit the 'Control Panel' window.
n) Restart Windows 95:
1] Click the 'Start' button to display the 'Start' menu.
2] Select 'Shut Down...'. (The 'Shut Down Windows' dialog box appears.)
3] Select the 'Restart the computer' radio button and click 'Yes'.
'Shut Down Windows'
3) Reinstall the Media Control devices:
a) Click the 'Start' button to display the 'Start' menu.
b) Select 'Settings' and select 'Control Panel'. (The 'Control Panel' window appears.)
c) Double-click the 'Add New Hardware' icon. (The 'Add New Hardware Wizard' appears.)
'Add New Hardware' icon
d) Click 'Next'.
e) Select the 'No' radio button and click 'Next'.
'No' radio button
f) Select 'Sound, video and game controllers' from the 'Hardware types' list box and click 'Next'.
'Sound, video and game controllers'
g) Select 'Microsoft MCI' from the 'Manufacturers' drop-down list box.
h) Select the appropriate driver from the 'Models' drop-down list box and click 'Next'.
i) Click 'Finish'. (The 'System Settings Change' dialog box appears.)
'Finish'
j) When prompted, insert the Windows 95 CD into the CD-ROM drive. (The 'System Settings Change' dialog box appears.)
k) Click 'Yes' to restart the computer.
'System Settings Change'
NOTE: If more than one device needs to be installed, click 'No' when prompted to restart the computer, until all devices have been added.
