Flicks FAQ: Windows Media Player Authentication

Q. I am using files that are played with Windows Media Player. When they are protected with AuthentiX and Basic Authentication, Windows Media Player cannot access them, when using IE, although Netscape works fine.

A. Make sure you have the latest version of Windows Media Player.
This is a bug with Basic Authentication and older versions of Windows Media player. The Basic Authentication username and password is not being passed to the player application. Netscape downloads the file and opens the application on that file, so it works fine. IE sometimes also has problems with Word files and other files it tries to launch. Call Microsoft and ask them when the fix will be ready (fixed in latest version). The tracking number is SRX 980 722 602 061. Bug number #31612. Some have moved to using a zipfile, or tried cookie-based authentication.

This problem does not occur with Netscape.

Also this,from Alex

From: alex@event.com
To: aspflicks@ls.asplists.com
Subject: [aspflicks] RE: double logins problem
Date: Wed, 11 Apr 2001 10:07:49 -0700

Hi,

The first thing you want to check and ensure is that your "Realm" for each protection has the same name. If the names are different that will cause double prompting (even on the same server).

Another problem (which I believe is probably the one you have) is with the Microsoft Media Player. This problem has been fixed with the most recent version of Media Player. You will be double prompted for a username and password the VERY FIRST time you use the Media Player but if you opt to save your username and password you will not be prompted again.

Finally... if this doesn't work for you try configuring your IIS server. If you have footers turned on try turning them off. If you have footers off try turning them on and point the file to an "empty" file (ie. just a file with a space of a comment tag). It's a wierd bug... I don't recall which is the correct solution because IIS4 and IIS (and above) were completely opposite solutions. I believe you had to turn footers ON for IIS4 and OFF for IIS5 (and above). Even Microsoft couldn't explain why the footers would affect playing a movie. :)

Hope this helps, Alex