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Topic: [0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime? (Read 4385 times) previous topic - next topic
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[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Dear e-readers,

Greetings to all!

Well, I have "foobar2000 0.83 special" installed as a portable application on an external USB flash drive which I use with Windows XP. The application works as it should, but I am getting an error pertaining to the inability to load foo_wma.dll (which is installed as part of the application). I know that this can be fixed by installing Windows Media Player or Windows Media Format Runtime on the host Windows XP computer, but since the computer is not mine, I cannot simply install them. Thus, and I think you are reading my mind now, is there a way to load foo_wma.dll without installing anything on the host computer? Or, in other words, can I add something or modify my flash drive in such a way that I am not required to install Windows Media Player or Windows Media Format Runtime on the host XP computer?

Before I am asked, yes, I did try numerous newer versions of foobar2000, but none of them worked. Coversely, "foobar2000 0.8.3 special" worked except for the foo_wma.dll error.

Kindest regards,

Carlos Albert
Disco Makberto

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #1 –
What is this "special" version you have, and could you outline what errors/problems you get with non-ancient foobar2000 versions?
The WMA input component uses the system codec due to WMA being a proprietary clusterhug to implement.
Stay sane, exile.

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Disco Makberto on
Or, in other words, can I add something or modify my flash drive in such a way that I am not required to install Windows Media Player or Windows Media Format Runtime on the host XP computer?

Quote from: Zao on
The WMA input component uses the system codec due to WMA being a proprietary clusterhug to implement.
I'm not sure whether WMA can be decoded on systems without Windows Media Player. Does anyone have a version of Windows Server without an installed WMP at hand? Though I'm puzzled why the OP's installation of Windows XP comes without WMP.
It's only audiophile if it's inconvenient.

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #3 –
Zao: 0.8.3 was available in several official installers, which differed in their complements of bundled components; Special contained the largest selection.

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #4 –
So I was reminded on IRC last night, shortly after posting.

Don't expect me to remember petty details about historical versions. 0.8.3 was a solid four years ago, and I can't really see why anyone would want to run a legacy version incompatible with pretty much all components.
Stay sane, exile.

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Zao on
So I was reminded on IRC last night, shortly after posting.

Don't expect me to remember petty details about historical versions.
I didn’t mean anything negative.

Quote
0.8.3 was a solid four years ago, and I can't really see why anyone would want to run a legacy version incompatible with pretty much all components.
I agree, and like you I’m curious to get some actual details about this: “I did try numerous newer versions of foobar2000, but none of them worked.”

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #6 –
Dear posters,

Thank you for all pertienent replies.

With the latest versions such as v1.1.13, v.1.1.12a, etc, I am getting the msvcrt.dll error and/or the shared.dll error and the dbghelp.dll error. Needless to say, in all instances, the GUI doesn't open. On the other hand, with v0.83, the GUI opens, and I just get the foo_wma.dll error. Regardless, I just recently discovered that some other versions are compatible with the host system such as v0.90 and v0.91. I don't get any errors with those versions, and, in both instances, the GUI opens perfectly, but those versions are not wma compatible by default. I need to keep testing in the event that I discover other versions compatible with the host system.

As it pertains to the possibility of playing WMA files without installing WMP or the Runtime, I think that, technically speaking, this is (or ought to be) possible. I am saying this because, as far as I know, VLC player and Mplayer can play WMA files independently of having WMP or the Runtime installed on the host system. Maybe I am wrong, but I think it is nice to have hope.

Best to all,

Carlos Albert
Disco Makberto

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #7 –
I think the version of Visual C++ used to compile recent foobar2000 and its bundled libraries requires Windows XP with at least Service Pack 2.

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Disco Makberto on
I am saying this because, as far as I know, VLC player and Mplayer can play WMA files independently of having WMP or the Runtime installed on the host system.
I guess these players use ffmpeg's WMA decoder.

Quote from: kode54 on
I think the version of Visual C++ used to compile recent foobar2000 and its bundled libraries requires Windows XP with at least Service Pack 2.
Yes, the official download page explicitly states
Quote
Operating System
Windows XP - SP2 or newer, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008.
To me it sounds like the OPs installation of Windows XP is unsupported and incomplete, if both SP2 and WMP are missing.

It's only audiophile if it's inconvenient.

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #9 –
Hey, Kohlrabi & readers!

I appreciate your responses.

One question, please. Can I use ffmpeg's WMA decoder with foobar2000? I suppose this is feasible, isn't it so?

As for the Windows XP I am permitted to use, I guess it is a personalized version (via nLite or so) of Windows XP. Please let me respectfully emphasize that this Windows XP is not mine, so I cannot modify it (more so if it is already a modified version). So it is not like the "OP's Windows XP". But more power to it because that is exactly the purpose of a portable application. In other words, the idea is to be able to use foobar2000 portable on as many computers as possible such as using it on a computer at the public library, for instance, in addition to using it on the computer I have access to. Again, I don't know if what I am trying to achieve is possible, but I will keep trying.

Sincerely,

Carlos Albert
Disco Makberto

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #10 –
P.S.: By the way, I should have added that the Windows XP I have access to is not completely useless when it comes to foobar2000. As I said before, it works with v0.9.0, v0.9.1, and I am sure that with quite some other versions as well. It is just that the foo_wma.dll (on v.0.8.3 special) cannot be loaded. Thanks! Carlos Albert

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Disco Makberto on
One question, please. Can I use ffmpeg's WMA decoder with foobar2000? I suppose this is feasible, isn't it so?
No, this is not possible.

Quote from: Disco Makberto on
As for the Windows XP I am permitted to use, I guess it is a personalized version (via nLite or so) of Windows XP. Please let me respectfully emphasize that this Windows XP is not mine, so I cannot modify it (more so if it is already a modified version).
I understood that before, still this crippled version of Windows is not really supported by foobar2000. It's pure coincidence if it works.

Quote from: Disco Makberto on
But more power to it because that is exactly the purpose of a portable application. In other words, the idea is to be able to use foobar2000 portable on as many computers as possible such as using it on a computer at the public library, for instance, in addition to using it on the computer I have access to.
Any PC with a properly installed Windows XP SP2 should be able to run the latest version (1.1.13), anything else is basically hit or miss, and you have to try yourself. Nobody can guarantee foobar2000 will run on a customized/broken installation of Windows. Legacy versions of foobar2000 are not really supported by the developers anymore.

Quote from: Disco Makberto on
P.S.: By the way, I should have added that the Windows XP I have access to is not completely useless when it comes to foobar2000. As I said before, it works with v0.9.0, v0.9.1, and I am sure that with quite some other versions as well. It is just that the foo_wma.dll (on v.0.8.3 special) cannot be loaded.
My memory is hazy as to how these versions added WMA support. Was there an input plugin for 0.9.x, x<5?
It's only audiophile if it's inconvenient.

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Disco Makberto on
Can I use ffmpeg's WMA decoder with foobar2000? I suppose this is feasible, isn't it so?

Only if you'll find a programmer that wants to write such plugin  I doubt that this will happen though.

Quote from: Disco Makberto on
As I said before, it works with v0.9.0, v0.9.1

0.9.4.5 should also work then.

[0.8.3] Loading foo_wma.dll without WMP or WMFRuntime?

Reply #13 –
Hi, again!

Yes, you are absolutely right, Kohlrabi. When it comes to personalized versions of XP, portable applications in general (not just foobar2000) is a hit and miss issue. Some portable applications work while some others don't. However, in some cases, non-working applications can be made compatible again by just adding some missing DLL's on the application itself.

In the case of foobar v0.9.0 and v.0.9.1, l tried to make them compatible with wma by adding foo_wma.dll from v.8.3 special, but it didn't work.

I haven't tried v0.9.5, and thanks to lvqcl for bringing this to my attention. I will try it as soon as possible. However, I might have to wait for some days as I am running out of space on my external flash drive, so I have to buy a new one. But I will keep reporting as soon as I am able to test again.

Carlos Albert
Disco Makberto

P.S.: Too bad I cannot use ffmpeg's WMA decoder! ):