problems viewing video

[straggler]

Hia all,

 

Not sure if this is a problem with the software or not but I have an HP 2133 netbook running Windows Vista. Everything is fine apart from when I try and watch video downloaded (or streamed live) using the BBC iplayer. The file will download without problems but when I try to watch it the picture freezes, then jumps, then freezes etc. The audio works fine but the picture gets left behind and eventually freezes altogether.

 

I've not tried viewing video from other sources so don't know if there's just a problem with the iplayer thing.

 

Any ideas?!

[Dalo Harkin]

BBC Iplayer has been having some issues recently that I have noticed, what broadband/ADSL are you using as that could be a factor as could the amount of system RAM youa re using.

Try not to do things like AV scans or anything too intensive when trying to watch video :)

[straggler]

I run Avast anitvirus. Should I try turning this off (when I'm offlline)?

[RandyL]

Dalo refers to turning off things like scheduled scans of your computer. Do not turn of your Avast completely while online. That would leave you vulnerable.

 

I think Dalo wants to know who use for internet service and is it a cable hookup or through a high speed connection through your phone line as opposed to a regular dialup service through your phone line.

 

I see your model supports 2Gb of ram but unless you upgraded it probably only has 1Gb which is weak for Vista Home Premium and Business might need more. Dalo said that memory might be a problem.

 

I don't know if the specs are a problem but here is a PDF file link for general specs. http://bizsupport1.austin.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c01658655/c01658655.pdf

 

Personally I think most netbooks tend to be on the low side of specs. That keeps the price down. Netbooks are mainly for basic computing needs.

 

However it should stream vidieos if your connection and ISP and RAM is good unless something else is using what little resources you might have.

 

Dalo can advise you more on your specs and more. I'm just offering up the link above.

[RandyL]

Oh yeah.

 

I've never been able to access certain UK video sites as I'm in the USA. So I haven't a clue if the BBC is acting up as I can't check it.

 

Why the UK censors ingoing and/or outgoing internet services is beyond me. Censorship is something between citizens and the goverment but some traffic is indeed blocked. Like television.

 

The point is I can't check it but if Dalo says it's been acting up I believe him.

[straggler]

I'm getting the problems trying to watch downloaded videos so don't think it's a problem with my internet connection. Just wondering if it's something specific about the BBC iplayer and my netbook not getting on. I live in Uganda and the internet runs at a snail's pace here so haven't tried downloading from ther sites (tried the BBC one when I was in the UK last week) but may give it a whirl. can someone recommend a site where I can download some TV show just to check?

[RandyL]

Are you saying that videos you downloaded and saved are not playing right?

 

That would be entirely different.

 

Off to bed for now but if so that's a good clue.

[straggler]

Are you saying that videos you downloaded and saved are not playing right?

 

 

 

Yes, the BBC iplayer stuff I've downloaded and saved won't paly properly - sound is fine but video as my first post.

[Plastic Nev]

It could still be down to not enough RAM, if less than 500Mb then definitely the reason though the minimum fitted is 1GB but only on those with Linux installed, do you know how much you have in it?

Also which model is it, if it is the FF009AA it should have 2GB so there may just be a fault in the memory fitted.

you could try a memory test have a look here-

http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/memory-issues/7172-memtest86-run.html

 

If that comes up as all OK, there may be something running that either shouldn't be or there could be some software conflict using up resources.

let us know how you get on, plus also what security programs you have.

Nev.

[straggler]

Not very technical but here goes - according to the "system" page I have a VIA C7-M Processor 1200 MHZ, 1.00GB RAM and Windows Vista Business with Service Pack 2.

 

The antivirus I use is Avast (the free one) plus I have the windows firewall and defender switched on.

 

Haven't got much intsalled on the computer apart from Adobe, Open Office, Rapport, Skype

[Plastic Nev]

OK Straggler mate I think it is just down to the fact you only have 1GB of RAM fitted.

However I see you have Skype installed, have you made sure that is turned off as that may be using resources at the same time.

I can give you a link to Crucial.com which is a service that can scan your computer and both find what RAM is already fitted, and also recommend what type and how big of extra RAM that can be fitted to improve things for you, The link is-

 

RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com

 

You will need to be using Internet explorer for the link to connect directly and scan. If using a different browser such as Firefox you will have to download the program first to run it.

As you say your connection is poor I hope the service can scan OK for you.

 

As far as buying and then fitting the extra RAM I believe there is a good tutorial on the crucial site for most makes of computer, however if you decide to go that rout and not sure how to proceed, don't hesitate to ask again.

Nev.

[straggler]

I'm not back in the UK for a while but I'll try iplayer again with Skype turned off. Plus maybe download something, disconnect from the net and then turn the antivirus off to see if that helps.

 

Seems strange that I may need to upgrade my netbook already. I know it's not the highest spec machine in the world and I didn't buy it with watching videos in mind but I thought iplayer wouldn't be stretching it at all.

 

Just to complicate things, I downloaded a 200MB video from Limewire last night and it played absolutely fine!

[RandyL]

Hi straggler.

 

At this point I'm going to tell you something you won't want to hear. Fortunately for you that you supplied the information you did though.

 

First of all I'm betting your system is weak. Vista needs a good processor and a lot of RAM even if you have Vista Basic. You however have Vista Business and very little to run it. That's half your problem.

 

You also said you have very little installed and supplied a short list but then you added that you have Limewire.

 

Which leads me to what I think the second half of your problem is.

 

Limewire is a P2P service for sharing files. In order for file sharing to work these programs have to maintain a connection that others can tap into just like you do when you download files through them.

 

So in essence your internet connection is being tapped into by others not just your surfing or streaming. It's no wonder you are having problems streaming. Couple that with the fact you say your ISP is worthless (although you never did fully say how you connect or with what ISP) then it's no small wonder you have issues with viewing streams

 

Now for the second half of Limewire and P2P. This is one of the most common methods of infecting a computer. It matters not what AV you have as none can detect everything and you may have allowed infections to bypass your security simply by having Limewire or downloading, opening, running or viewing such files.

 

An infected computer is ripe to all sorts of problems. Some persistent. Some intermittent.

 

So here is what I think you should do to eliminate problems and optimize your system in the proper order.

 

1. Uninstall Limewire.

 

2. Uninstall any programs obtained via Limewire.

 

3. Delete all types of files obtained via Limewire.

 

4. Post in our malware section and ask for a check.

 

5. Upgrade your RAM.

 

6. Get a better processor.

 

7. Get a better ISP. At the very least it would help to know how you connect (dialup, cable, adsl) and who your ISP is.

 

8. Disable from startup any programs you can or uninstall uneeded programs. I know you said you didn't have much at first but something like Limewire is big and these things are important and add up.

 

 

Netbooks by their very nature are weak as a rule. Couple that with the other issues you may have and it boils down to starting from scratch. I don't believe this is an issue where you can pick any one thing as the source. It's likely a combination of many factors.

 

Start at the top of the list and work your way down or restore to factory specs and see what happens. After that upgrade your computer or ISP.

[straggler]

Hi again,

 

Not sure whether Limewire is the problem as I've now downloaded 2 videos which worked perfectly (Family Guy and Curb Your Enthusiasm, if anyone's interested!). Also, Limewire was not installed when I first tried the BBC iplayer thing. So I think my netbook may just have an "issue" with BBC iplayer.

 

I believe that the BBC system plays via an AVI file. One of the videos I got from Limewire was AVI and this played no problem so I'm even more confused.

 

I live in Uganda and the internet connection here is very slow and unreliable. I'm going to go nuts if I don't get my fix of offensive TV comedies so I think the risk of viruses etc from Limewire is worth it.

[RandyL]

straggler without eliminating the possibility of an infection there really is no point of continuing. Besides you can't just fix part of the problem. It's all or nothing. So I repeat.

 

1. Uninstall Limewire.

 

2. Uninstall any programs obtained via Limewire.

 

3. Delete all types of files obtained via Limewire.

 

4. Post in our malware section and ask for a check.

 

 

You could get a better computer or upgrade yours and hope it helps.

 

You could try a better ISP if one is available.

 

You could try a full reinstall and reload programs but quite honestly even if the problem doesn't rear its ugly head immediately it likely will at a later time as long as you are willing to take these risks.

 

 

If you are not willing to take proper precautions or the needed steps (and I understand your reasons) then the only real ongoing solution is this:

 

Keep your data backed up.

 

Keep your recovery disks handy.

 

Be prepared to do multiple reinstalls of your operating system.

 

 

Like I said I understand but you have to understand our position. We can't help you fix what you are unwilling to fix.

 

I hope for your sake that throwing money at hardware resolves your issue. Beyond that all we can say is good luck.

 

One more thing I have to mention again is that this has a very great probability of being malware or P2P related. Although we can assist you with malware our rules prohibit us on assisting with P2P issues.

 

As all your issues are probably related to P2P in your particular case you really need to do as I have suggested in order for support to continue in this matter.

 

Do you wish to proceed? We would like to help.

[straggler]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the advice but I'm a little confused - how can Limewire be the problem when I didn't intall it until a week after I'd experienced problems with BBC iplayer?

[RandyL]

straggler would you mind going to the malware section so we can determine if this is a malware issue?

 

Just copy and paste this link http://extremetechsupport.com/forum/windows-vista/8805-problems-viewing-video.html when you post please so that we can try to figure this out.

 

Malware has many forms and can come from many places. As you are willing to take risks this really has to be determined first.

 

I'm not saying the problem is caused by malware or Limewire. However it is a needed first step in my opinion.

 

Trying to help and save you money.

[Shellack]

Re: problems viewing video

 

Hey, randy just to let you know, if you want to watch BBC iPlayer in the US you can simply by going through a UK based proxy and vice a versa if I wanted to watch something in the US and found my IP was not allowed. There are ways around censors, it's just lame and a little petty that they would stop people on a different IP range. Sorry england it tells me on Comedy central.. hehe, works fine when I surf in from Texas :)