Microsoft WebTV for Windows Does Not Start

ID: Q191066

The information in this article applies to:
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

You may be unable to start Microsoft WebTV for Windows.


CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the Vidsvr string value has a value data other than null (" ") in the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

To resolve this behavior, follow these steps:

  1. Using Registry Editor, delete the value data for the Vidsvr string value in the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices


  2. Quit Registry Editor.


  3. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.


  4. Click the Windows Setup tab.


  5. Click the WebTV For Windows check box to clear it, and then click OK.


  6. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click Yes.


  7. Repeat steps 2-4, but click the WebTV For Windows check box to select it in step 5.


  8. When you are prompted to restart your computer, click No.


  9. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Shut Down, and then click OK.


  10. Turn your computer off and then back on.

    NOTE: If you do not turn your computer off and then back on before you start Microsoft WebTV for Windows, sound does not work in Microsoft WebTV for Windows. 



Keywords          : kbtool win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:98
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: February 13, 1999