Anyone willing to help out a moron with her computer?

[Pacifist Patriot]

My computer is automatically launching RealPlayer when I try to click on the BBC link to watch the Galloway testimony. Unfortunately my speakers have a love/hate relationship with RealPlayer so I cannot hear a thing. Does anyone know how to replace that stubborn piece of software with another media player option so I can actually hear the smackdown? I know it's RealPlayer because I've listened to other things on my computer and the speakers work just fine.

Thanks!

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. That I do not know.

I don't know if a third party generic was ever made for realplayer. I think it's proprietary, but I don't know. I'm sorry I can't be more helpful.

[Pacifist Patriot]

2. It's an invasive stubborn little bugger to be sure.

[hobbit709]

3. Uninstall Real Player

Then download and install Real Alternative. It does everything RealPlayer does without hijacking your system.

[mcscajun]

4. Are you getting the player selector first at the BBC site?

"Please choose your preferred media player:"
then it has the radio buttons for Windows Media Player and RealPlayer?

Uninstalling RealPlayer would be a good idea if you're having that much trouble with it, and then switching the selector above to Windows Media Player.

Good Luck.

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. No, no "choose preferred" prompt. Off to uninstall.

[johnnie]

5. I don't put Real Player in my systems

It is a big pain in the ass. Someone here posted an alternative that I have never heard about. I'm going to check that out.
Every time I have had Real Player in my computers, it always caused me problems.

[Lady Effingbroke]

6. I have used Real Alternative for the past year with no problem.

Here is a link to download: Real Alternative

[Pacifist Patriot]

9. Thanks, I tried it. Speakers still wonky. It all started when

my husband started screwing around with music downloads and his blasted MP3 player. At least I think that's what that stupid little toy is. Why won't that man stick to his own computer and stop messing with mine?

[Spider Jerusalem]

7. Go here...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4557699.stm and launch the video from that page (link under the picture); it opens in a new window, with Windows Media and not RealPlayer.

[tk2kewl]

10. this is the right thing to do ...

Open Windows Media Player
Right-click on the title bar of the window
choose Tools from the popup menu
choose Options
choose the File Types tab in the dialog
click the Select All button
click OK

now all media files should open in Windows Media

[Pacifist Patriot]

11. This is a thoroughly frustrating and depressing morning.

I went through this steps and it worked beautifully. Tested a file and heard it loud and clear. Went back to the link for the Galloway testimony and Windows Media Player said it was unable to play either the file type or was experiencing a problem with the compression.

While I'm struggling with this, my almost two year old got to my laptop in the other room and has ripped off at least 60% of the keys. Not a simple pop back on procedure to repair it thanks to the Sony design team. I am so mad at myself for not closing the top like I usually do.

I give up. I'm not going to be able to watch it. Agghh!

Thanks for your help though.