MCSTRM service failed to start

While looking at the Event Viewer on my XP Pro SP2 system, I found this
Failure Audit message under Security over and over again, I assume during
reboot. What is MCSTRM and what should I do about it? The error message was
a little annoying because it did not specify the file it cannot find. Thanks.

Source: Service Control Manager
The MCSTRM service failed to start due to the following error: The system
cannot find the file specified.

--


Pete

MCSTRM is probably MCSTRM.sys, located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers

Some malware may camouflage themselves as MCSTRM.sys, particularly if they
are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder.

File: mcstrm.sys
Name: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager®
Product: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager® (32-bit)
Company: RealNetworks, Inc.
http://www.anti-spy.info/process/mcstrm.sys.html

Do a Search for MCSTRM ans see what the file extension is and what foulder
MCSTRM is in.
HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302347

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
While looking at the Event Viewer on my XP Pro SP2 system, I found this
Failure Audit message under Security over and over again, I assume during
reboot. What is MCSTRM and what should I do about it? The error message
was a little annoying because it did not specify the file it cannot find.
Thanks.

Source: Service Control Manager
The MCSTRM service failed to start due to the following error: The system
cannot find the file specified.

--


Pete

Oh boy, I searched for MCSTRM even including hidden files and found nothing.
That explains the error message! I think I'll have to contact Real because
it is their file. At least I know what the problem is now, thanks. Or maybe
I will uninstall Real Player and just use Media Player.
--


Pete



"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

MCSTRM is probably MCSTRM.sys, located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers

Some malware may camouflage themselves as MCSTRM.sys, particularly if they
are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder.

File: mcstrm.sys
Name: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager®
Product: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager® (32-bit)
Company: RealNetworks, Inc.
http://www.anti-spy.info/process/mcstrm.sys.html

Do a Search for MCSTRM ans see what the file extension is and what foulder
MCSTRM is in.
HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302347

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
While looking at the Event Viewer on my XP Pro SP2 system, I found this
Failure Audit message under Security over and over again, I assume during
reboot. What is MCSTRM and what should I do about it? The error message
was a little annoying because it did not specify the file it cannot find.
Thanks.

Source: Service Control Manager
The MCSTRM service failed to start due to the following error: The system
cannot find the file specified.

--


Pete

Or maybe I will uninstall Real Player and just use Media Player

I refuse to have RealPlayer, QuickTime or Flash player. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
Oh boy, I searched for MCSTRM even including hidden files and found
nothing. That explains the error message! I think I'll have to contact
Real because it is their file. At least I know what the problem is now,
thanks. Or maybe I will uninstall Real Player and just use Media Player.
--


Pete



"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

MCSTRM is probably MCSTRM.sys, located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers

Some malware may camouflage themselves as MCSTRM.sys, particularly if
they are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder.

File: mcstrm.sys
Name: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager®
Product: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager® (32-bit)
Company: RealNetworks, Inc.
http://www.anti-spy.info/process/mcstrm.sys.html

Do a Search for MCSTRM ans see what the file extension is and what
foulder MCSTRM is in.
HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302347

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
While looking at the Event Viewer on my XP Pro SP2 system, I found this
Failure Audit message under Security over and over again, I assume
during reboot. What is MCSTRM and what should I do about it? The
error message was a little annoying because it did not specify the file
it cannot find. Thanks.

Source: Service Control Manager
The MCSTRM service failed to start due to the following error: The
system cannot find the file specified.

--


Pete

How do you get by without Flash and QuickTime? Many websites seem to require
it to view their contents. Do alternatives exist to these plug-ins or do you
avoid websites that require them? I'm really not trying to be sarcastic.
--


Pete



"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

Or maybe I will uninstall Real Player and just use Media Player

I refuse to have RealPlayer, QuickTime or Flash player. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
Oh boy, I searched for MCSTRM even including hidden files and found
nothing. That explains the error message! I think I'll have to contact
Real because it is their file. At least I know what the problem is now,
thanks. Or maybe I will uninstall Real Player and just use Media Player.
--


Pete



"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

MCSTRM is probably MCSTRM.sys, located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers

Some malware may camouflage themselves as MCSTRM.sys, particularly if
they are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder.

File: mcstrm.sys
Name: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager®
Product: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager® (32-bit)
Company: RealNetworks, Inc.
http://www.anti-spy.info/process/mcstrm.sys.html

Do a Search for MCSTRM ans see what the file extension is and what
foulder MCSTRM is in.
HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302347

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
While looking at the Event Viewer on my XP Pro SP2 system, I found this
Failure Audit message under Security over and over again, I assume
during reboot. What is MCSTRM and what should I do about it? The
error message was a little annoying because it did not specify the file
it cannot find. Thanks.

Source: Service Control Manager
The MCSTRM service failed to start due to the following error: The
system cannot find the file specified.

--


Pete

How do you get by without Flash and QuickTime? Many websites seem to
require it to view their contents.

QuickTime is only good for playing .mov files or the like. If I see that a
file is a .mov file, I ingnore it. And swear a bit. ;-)

I hate Flash and do not have the POS installed.

I never get reminders, or invitations, just big holes in some web pages. If
the page designers are going to use Flash, they deserve big holes in their
web pages. LOL

I hate the extension .swf.

I see this on a lot of web pages in View | Source:

hXXp://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab

That normally gets you the File Download popup for swflash.cab, the install
file for Flash.

I can even visit
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/about/
and not get any invitation. Just a big hole, where Flash should display my
version.

Maybe because I do not have Java either. Another POS.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
How do you get by without Flash and QuickTime? Many websites seem to
require it to view their contents. Do alternatives exist to these
plug-ins or do you avoid websites that require them? I'm really not
trying to be sarcastic. --


Pete



"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

Or maybe I will uninstall Real Player and just use Media Player

I refuse to have RealPlayer, QuickTime or Flash player. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
Oh boy, I searched for MCSTRM even including hidden files and found
nothing. That explains the error message! I think I'll have to contact
Real because it is their file. At least I know what the problem is now,
thanks. Or maybe I will uninstall Real Player and just use Media
Player. --


Pete



"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

MCSTRM is probably MCSTRM.sys, located in C:\Windows\System32\drivers

Some malware may camouflage themselves as MCSTRM.sys, particularly if
they are located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 folder.

File: mcstrm.sys
Name: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager®
Product: RealNetworks Virtual Path Manager® (32-bit)
Company: RealNetworks, Inc.
http://www.anti-spy.info/process/mcstrm.sys.html

Do a Search for MCSTRM ans see what the file extension is and what
foulder MCSTRM is in.
HOW TO: Search For Hidden Or System Files In Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302347

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
While looking at the Event Viewer on my XP Pro SP2 system, I found
this Failure Audit message under Security over and over again, I
assume during reboot. What is MCSTRM and what should I do about it?
The error message was a little annoying because it did not specify
the file it cannot find. Thanks.

Source: Service Control Manager
The MCSTRM service failed to start due to the following error: The
system cannot find the file specified.

--


Pete

QuickTime is only good for playing .mov files or the like.

I tried to uninstall it and the popup had the text "Click Uninstall
Everything to remove the system extensions as well (not recommended)." Why
is this not recommended? Is there any way to know in advance if some
application will barf if QuickTime is uninstalled?

I hate the extension .swf.

Why and where is it used?
--


Pete

Click Uninstall Everything to remove the system extensions as well (not
recommended)

quote
U got a box that says "Removing Quick Time system extensions can cause
applications to malfunction".

That's a stock warning that is typical of many programs. When you uninstall
it they will issue some type of warning that it may affect other uses, etc.
It can be ignored in almost all cases.

In the case of QT, it has it's own proprietary media file formats and you
need QT or the QT alternative to play those formats - other than that, and
possibly ITunes, it's not needed for any other media format.

I got along fine without QT installed on my PC for 4 years, until I found
the QT alternative program. There was very little that I would have needed
QT for and even then I really didn't miss anything by not playing the QT
media file. The only reason I have the QT alternative installed is so I can
listen to Mike Gross' "Swingin West" webcast. They originally had both QT
and Windows Media streaming links but then had some software problems and
removed the Windows Media link so the only option is QT for this broadcast.
quote
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewt...12a 428168ce1

quote
Nothing unrecoverable. The likeliest thing would be that QT decided that it
had to be the launch application for any sound or picture file type, and
that removing it would leave them orphaned, but you can always revert to
using something else whenever you found such a file type that'd been
hijacked.
quote
http://www.drkeyboard.net/viewtopic....35f8b b3a55b9

If you want to look through more yourself....
Click Uninstall Everything to remove the system extensions
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&h...s=&safe=images

If you have iTunes or any other apple crap you may need it...
How to uninstall QuickTime on a Windows PC
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60342

I saw this phrase and I wondered...
I personally hate quickTime
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&h...&safe=ima ges

I hate the extension .swf.

Why and where is it used?


Shock Wave Flash. Macromedia Flash Format File. Keep in mind that Adobe
bought Macromedia. QuickTime also uses the swf extension.

movie value="/swf/software/flash/about/flashAbout_info_small.swf"
is the movie that I cannot see here...
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/about/

This is the actual link...
http://www.adobe.com/swf/software/fl...info_small.swf

..swf file extension is not listed in my registry any more either. I removed
everything related to Flash. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news Pete hunted and pecked:
QuickTime is only good for playing .mov files or the like.

I tried to uninstall it and the popup had the text "Click Uninstall
Everything to remove the system extensions as well (not recommended)."
Why is this not recommended? Is there any way to know in advance if some
application will barf if QuickTime is uninstalled?

I hate the extension .swf.

Why and where is it used?
--


Pete

ROTFL You just have use the proper terms.

Results 1 - 10 of about 3,860 for "I hate QuickTime".
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...22&btnG=Search

Results 1 - 10 of about 29,400 for "I hate flash".
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...+hate+flash%22

Results 1 - 10 of about 1,430 for "I hate realplayer".
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...ealplaye r%22

Results 1 - 10 of about 2,930 for "I hate real player".
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&l...22&btnG=Search

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Wesley Vogel hunted and pecked:
Click Uninstall Everything to remove the system extensions as well (not
recommended)

quote
U got a box that says "Removing Quick Time system extensions can cause
applications to malfunction".

That's a stock warning that is typical of many programs. When you
uninstall it they will issue some type of warning that it may affect
other uses, etc. It can be ignored in almost all cases.

In the case of QT, it has it's own proprietary media file formats and you
need QT or the QT alternative to play those formats - other than that, and
possibly ITunes, it's not needed for any other media format.

I got along fine without QT installed on my PC for 4 years, until I found
the QT alternative program. There was very little that I would have needed
QT for and even then I really didn't miss anything by not playing the QT
media file. The only reason I have the QT alternative installed is so I
can listen to Mike Gross' "Swingin West" webcast. They originally had
both QT and Windows Media streaming links but then had some software
problems and removed the Windows Media link so the only option is QT for
this broadcast. quote

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewt...12a 428168ce1

quote
Nothing unrecoverable. The likeliest thing would be that QT decided that
it had to be the launch application for any sound or picture file type,
and that removing it would leave them orphaned, but you can always revert
to using something else whenever you found such a file type that'd been
hijacked.
quote

http://www.drkeyboard.net/viewtopic....35f8b b3a55b9

If you want to look through more yourself....
Click Uninstall Everything to remove the system extensions

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&h...s=&safe=images

If you have iTunes or any other apple crap you may need it...
How to uninstall QuickTime on a Windows PC
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60342

I saw this phrase and I wondered...
I personally hate quickTime

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&h...&safe=ima ges

I hate the extension .swf.

Why and where is it used?


Shock Wave Flash. Macromedia Flash Format File. Keep in mind that Adobe
bought Macromedia. QuickTime also uses the swf extension.

movie value="/swf/software/flash/about/flashAbout_info_small.swf"
is the movie that I cannot see here...
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/about/

This is the actual link...
http://www.adobe.com/swf/software/fl...info_small.swf

.swf file extension is not listed in my registry any more either. I
removed everything related to Flash. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news Pete hunted and pecked:
QuickTime is only good for playing .mov files or the like.

I tried to uninstall it and the popup had the text "Click Uninstall
Everything to remove the system extensions as well (not recommended)."
Why is this not recommended? Is there any way to know in advance if some
application will barf if QuickTime is uninstalled?

I hate the extension .swf.

Why and where is it used?
--


Pete

I liked your idea about removing Flash Player and QuickTime, so I uninstalled
them the usual Control Panel way. In my registry I still have three entries
in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWA
- Apple / QuickTime32
- Apple Computer, Inc. / QuickTime
- Macromedia / Flash Player

Do you see any problem with removing the above?

I also see an entry for RichFX / Player. I don't suppose you know what that
is?
Thanks again.
--


Pete



"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

Click Uninstall Everything to remove the system extensions as well (not
recommended)

quote
U got a box that says "Removing Quick Time system extensions can cause
applications to malfunction".

That's a stock warning that is typical of many programs. When you uninstall
it they will issue some type of warning that it may affect other uses, etc.
It can be ignored in almost all cases.

In the case of QT, it has it's own proprietary media file formats and you
need QT or the QT alternative to play those formats - other than that, and
possibly ITunes, it's not needed for any other media format.

I got along fine without QT installed on my PC for 4 years, until I found
the QT alternative program. There was very little that I would have needed
QT for and even then I really didn't miss anything by not playing the QT
media file. The only reason I have the QT alternative installed is so I can
listen to Mike Gross' "Swingin West" webcast. They originally had both QT
and Windows Media streaming links but then had some software problems and
removed the Windows Media link so the only option is QT for this broadcast.
quote
http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewt...12a 428168ce1

quote
Nothing unrecoverable. The likeliest thing would be that QT decided that it
had to be the launch application for any sound or picture file type, and
that removing it would leave them orphaned, but you can always revert to
using something else whenever you found such a file type that'd been
hijacked.
quote
http://www.drkeyboard.net/viewtopic....35f8b b3a55b9

If you want to look through more yourself....
Click Uninstall Everything to remove the system extensions
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&h...s=&safe=images

If you have iTunes or any other apple crap you may need it...
How to uninstall QuickTime on a Windows PC
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60342

I saw this phrase and I wondered...
I personally hate quickTime
http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&h...&safe=ima ges

I hate the extension .swf.

Why and where is it used?


Shock Wave Flash. Macromedia Flash Format File. Keep in mind that Adobe
bought Macromedia. QuickTime also uses the swf extension.

movie value="/swf/software/flash/about/flashAbout_info_small.swf"
is the movie that I cannot see here...
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/about/

This is the actual link...
http://www.adobe.com/swf/software/fl...info_small.swf

..swf file extension is not listed in my registry any more either. I removed
everything related to Flash. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news Pete hunted and pecked:
QuickTime is only good for playing .mov files or the like.

I tried to uninstall it and the popup had the text "Click Uninstall
Everything to remove the system extensions as well (not recommended)."
Why is this not recommended? Is there any way to know in advance if some
application will barf if QuickTime is uninstalled?

I hate the extension .swf.

Why and where is it used?
--


Pete

Hi pete,

I do not have anything Apple or Macromedia in...
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE

I never heard of RichFX / Player, but, they apparently make media player
plugins..
RichFX Player By RichFX Inc.plugins for Netscape.
RichFX Plugin for RealPlayer.
RichFX Plugin for Internet Explorer.

Probably got downloaded when you visted a web page and you didn't pay
attention to what you clicked on and you clicked YES to it. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
Pete hunted and pecked:
I liked your idea about removing Flash Player and QuickTime, so I
uninstalled them the usual Control Panel way. In my registry I still
have three entries in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SOFTWA
- Apple / QuickTime32
- Apple Computer, Inc. / QuickTime
- Macromedia / Flash Player

Do you see any problem with removing the above?

I also see an entry for RichFX / Player. I don't suppose you know what
that is?
Thanks again.
--


Pete



"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

Click Uninstall Everything to remove the system extensions as well (not
recommended)

quote
U got a box that says "Removing Quick Time system extensions can cause
applications to malfunction".

That's a stock warning that is typical of many programs. When you
uninstall it they will issue some type of warning that it may affect
other uses, etc. It can be ignored in almost all cases.

In the case of QT, it has it's own proprietary media file formats and you
need QT or the QT alternative to play those formats - other than that,
and possibly ITunes, it's not needed for any other media format.

I got along fine without QT installed on my PC for 4 years, until I found
the QT alternative program. There was very little that I would have
needed QT for and even then I really didn't miss anything by not playing
the QT media file. The only reason I have the QT alternative installed
is so I can listen to Mike Gross' "Swingin West" webcast. They
originally had both QT and Windows Media streaming links but then had
some software problems and removed the Windows Media link so the only
option is QT for this broadcast. quote

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewt...12a 428168ce1

quote
Nothing unrecoverable. The likeliest thing would be that QT decided that
it had to be the launch application for any sound or picture file type,
and that removing it would leave them orphaned, but you can always
revert to using something else whenever you found such a file type
that'd been hijacked.
quote

http://www.drkeyboard.net/viewtopic....35f8b b3a55b9

If you want to look through more yourself....
Click Uninstall Everything to remove the system extensions

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&h...s=&safe=images

If you have iTunes or any other apple crap you may need it...
How to uninstall QuickTime on a Windows PC
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60342

I saw this phrase and I wondered...
I personally hate quickTime

http://www.google.com/search?as_q=&h...&safe=ima ges

I hate the extension .swf.

Why and where is it used?


Shock Wave Flash. Macromedia Flash Format File. Keep in mind that Adobe
bought Macromedia. QuickTime also uses the swf extension.

movie value="/swf/software/flash/about/flashAbout_info_small.swf"
is the movie that I cannot see here...
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/about/

This is the actual link...
http://www.adobe.com/swf/software/fl...info_small.swf

..swf file extension is not listed in my registry any more either. I
removed everything related to Flash. ;-)

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In news Pete hunted and pecked:
QuickTime is only good for playing .mov files or the like.

I tried to uninstall it and the popup had the text "Click Uninstall
Everything to remove the system extensions as well (not recommended)."
Why is this not recommended? Is there any way to know in advance if
some application will barf if QuickTime is uninstalled?

I hate the extension .swf.

Why and where is it used?
--


Pete

First, I wanted to clarify for everyone that the mcstrm.sys file is put
in the system32/drivers folder by Realplayer. It is a required file for
Rhapsody to work.

The problem with the file location is actually in the registry. In
order to stop getting errors in your system log about the file being
not a valid Win32 application or the path being invalid, you must:

1. Run regedit
2. Go to HKLM SYSTEM ControlSet001 Services MCSTRM (or you can
search for mcstrm in the registry until you get to a key that contains
a ImagePath string value
3. Change the ImagePath value to this EXACTLY:
System32\DRIVERS\mcstrm.sys

- This should be the location where mcstrm is installed. If this
doesn't work the first time, delete the file mcstrm.sys from
C:\Windows\System32\drivers and then reinstall Real and Rhapsody.They
will work fine. Even on Vista Home Edition.

Ben Sigman
Rent-A-Geek
'rentageekla.com' (http://www.rentageekla.com)


--
bensig
------------------------------------------------------------------------
bensig's Profile: http://forums.techarena.in/member.php?userid=47549
View this thread: http://forums.techarena.in/showthread.php?t=673853

http://forums.techarena.in

Sorry, the resolution to this issue is NOT to install RealSpy and
Crapsody. The Typical Home User has no inclination to edit the registy
in order to get Badware installed.

RealAlternative
http://www.free-codecs.com/download/...lternative.htm

Original article:
http://www.stopbadware.org/reports/r...player01282008

We find that RealPlayer 10.5 is badware because it fails to accurately and completely disclose
the fact that it installs advertising software on the user's computer. We additionally find that
RealPlayer 11 is badware because it does not disclose the fact that it installs Rhapsody Player
Engine software, and fails to remove this software when RealPlayer is uninstalled.

Real's response
http://rws-blog.rhapsody.com/realpla...-response.html

Responding to RealPlayer
http://blogs.stopbadware.org/article...-to-realplayer

Caveat emptor.

MowGreen [MVP 2003-2008]
===============
*-343-* FDNY
Never Forgotten
===============


bensig wrote:

First, I wanted to clarify for everyone that the mcstrm.sys file is put
in the system32/drivers folder by Realplayer. It is a required file for
Rhapsody to work.

The problem with the file location is actually in the registry. In
order to stop getting errors in your system log about the file being
not a valid Win32 application or the path being invalid, you must:

1. Run regedit
2. Go to HKLM SYSTEM ControlSet001 Services MCSTRM (or you can
search for mcstrm in the registry until you get to a key that contains
a ImagePath string value
3. Change the ImagePath value to this EXACTLY:
System32\DRIVERS\mcstrm.sys

- This should be the location where mcstrm is installed. If this
doesn't work the first time, delete the file mcstrm.sys from
C:\Windows\System32\drivers and then reinstall Real and Rhapsody.They
will work fine. Even on Vista Home Edition.

Ben Sigman
Rent-A-Geek
'rentageekla.com' (http://www.rentageekla.com)

First and foremost, I wanted to clarify that I'm not telling anyone that
they should install Rhapsody or Realplayer - but, if they are
malfuctioning and you would like to continue using them, see my solution
above if you are having a problem with MCSTRM.SYS.

I'm happy that there are some good alternatives for people instead of
Realplayer, I'm all for open source and free software and codecs. I'm
not a fan of Realplayer at all, but I think it's unnecessary to call
Realplayer "spyware" and Rhapsody "crap" - they are both programs that
lots of people use and enjoy, both have made breakthroughs in their
respective fields of music and streaming media.

As far as your criticism of my solution goes, my goal was to attempt to
help people who have a malfunctioning system file - not to tell them
that they shouldn't use whatever software they preferred because it was
dangerous to their system. I always try to work together with my clients
and help them to do things the way that they want, not the way that I
think they should do them - unless some program really COULD harm their
computer, in which case I would advise them.

Therefore, because it must be that the problem with MCSTRM.SYS that
people are discussing in this forum was already due to already having
Realplayer installed - my advice on how to get things running normally
again is actually the correct way to get the system functioning as the
end user wants it.

I don't think anyone can dictate what the "typical end user" would or
would not do in this case because the "typical end user" would not be
reading tech forums, trying to solve a problem from their sys logs.

Real's response to StopBadware (I don't know why you wouldn't have
posted this on here for people to read) clearly states that the
stopbadware alerts have been addressed:

Real’s Response to stopbadware.org

The folks at stopbadware.org have sent their second alert in less than
a month calling RealPlayer “badware” because the
organization takes exception to the Message Center in an older version
of the player, and a flaw in the un-install process in our current
version.

I actually admire what stopbadware is trying to do to keep consumers
safe. But in this case the only thing bad is the report itself.
Here’s why: Not a single claim raised by stopbadware actually
hurts anyone.

Yet the report cites such egregious practices as promoting movie
trailers or security software that consumers can enjoy by using
Real’s software.

Message Center tells consumers about video they can enjoy using
RealPlayer (film.com is owned by RealNetworks) or security and
performance software they can download from McAfee because they are Real
customers.

The truth is that I actually found the Message Center in the old
RealPlayer to be annoying too. So I turned it off. Not rocket science.
And certainly not the sin stopbadware alleges.

And here’s the thing: lots of our customers told us they
didn’t like the Message Center either. So guess what? We turned
it off in our current version so not a single person ever sees it unless
they go and turn it on. Stopbadware even gives us credit for this
improvement in the user experience. But that’s old software so
I’m not sure why we’re talking about it. We announced the
availability RealPlayer 11 on May 31st of last year¬ nearly a year ago.
RealPlayer 11 is the default application you download from RealNetworks
today. And it has won the acclaim of The Wall Street Journal
(subscription required), USA Today, Businessweek and Wired for being
consumer friendly and innovative. That’s why millions of people
around the world have downloaded it since.

Stopbadware raises a second claim with respect to the current version
of RealPlayer: That we install the Rhapsody music player engine without
explaining the connection between it and RealPlayer, and then we fail to
remove it during the RealPlayer un-install process. Well, they have a
point here. But it’s not that consumers will be hurt by this
oversight. It’s that someone failed to explain the connection
between the two (RealPlayer is a universal media player, so we install
support for all major media formats like Windows Media Player, QuickTime
and, yes, our own Rhapsody), and that we also didn’t catch that in
the un-install process. (though to be fair, the Rhapsody player engine
is listed in the windows control panel add/remove programs and can
easily be uninstalled from there) As far as we know, no one has been
hurt by this mistake. In the software business we call that a bug and
we fix it in our next version of the software.

We will continue to make improvements to RealPlayer, and I think
you’ll see that just like we did in our current version those
changes are intended to give consumers more innovation ¬like being the
first to give people the ability to simply download Internet video ¬and
a better experience. That’s why we simplified the installation
process and why removed extraneous features and promotions.

Let us know what you think.

-Jeff Chasen, vice president for RealPlayer


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I uninstalled RealPlayer from my hard drive and I am still receiving the
error about MCSTRM. It causes my pc to freeze or my mouse to stop
working, depending on whether or not I am at the pc using it.

MCSTRM is not on my pc anywhere.

So, will I have to re-install it then remove it in order to get the pc
to work properly?

Thanks.

BTW, I don't like RealPlayer, either, but it was on the pc when it was
given to me. It included over three hundred paid-for songs, so I kept
it.


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