How to play mp3's in Internet Explorer?

[jeremy3220]

I'm only able to play links to mp3 files if I save them to my computer. I know there's some way to play them in IE but I can't figure it out. I just get the little 'downloading...' symbol in the left hand corner then 'done' but it never plays; instead I have to 'Save Target As' and play them in WMP

Here's the type of link I'm talking about

http://78records.cdbpdx.com/list/AINTMISBEHAVIN_LeoReisman_VICTOR_22047-B.mp3


How do I set IE to play these files??

[Danny]

    Download Quicktime and it will do it automatically. I don't use Explorer at all for MP3 or any audio files. I make quicktime the default player. Either that or I-tunes. Apple has it down for me.  Sorry if this doesn't help.  Danny

[jeremy3220]

I've already got Quicktime. I'm not talking about mp3 files on my hard drive, but rather links to mp3's like the one in my first post. I'm wanting to play them without downloading them.

[Danny]

I've already got Quicktime. I'm not talking about mp3 files on my hard drive, but rather links to mp3's like the one in my first post. I'm wanting to play them without downloading them.

Well that's what mine does, I guess I didn't use the right lingo. I just clicked on your link and quicktime plays it immediately , no download.    But I do use I-tunes to handle my library, does that make more sense?
      I just don't have any problems with it, point , click , it plays.

[Tycho]

Jeremy, I think you have to set up your default preferences so that Quicktime will be the default MP3 player.

Alternatively, if you've already tried that, it may be that there's a problem with your Quicktime and you need to download or reinstall the newest version of Quicktime.

Me, I just use iTunes now as the default program for all audio files.  It opens from my browser (which is Firefox) without a hitch.

[Danny]

Jeremy, I think you have to set up your default preferences so that Quicktime will be the default MP3 player.

Alternatively, if you've already tried that, it may be that there's a problem with your Quicktime and you need to download or reinstall the newest version of Quicktime.

Me, I just use iTunes now as the default program for all audio files.  It opens from my browser (which is Firefox) without a hitch.

I use Firefox also, the combo with Quicktime/I-tunes,  works without the troubles I had with microsoft stuff.

[jeremy3220]

I tried updating Quicktime and setting it as the default player. It must be a setting within IE. After the page loads as says 'done' in the left hand corner it pops up with a yield sign and says 'Error on page'. I can't figure it out.

[lw216316]

What access speed do you have ?   dial-up, DSL, something faster ?

I've seen slow access sometimes say DONE when it wasn't really done and it would eventually work given enough time.
Then other times it would say DONE and nothing else would happen.

Does this happen to you ALL the time or only on particular links ?
Even if you have fast access on your end, if the site with the file is having problems or running slow then you might have a problem - it might be sending the data slow or not at all. It might be overloaded with requests, for example.

You can test this by trying to access the link from a different computer (at work, friend - whatever) and see if you get the same results.

- Larry

[jeremy3220]

I've got DSL, the problem isn't access speed. Something is set to not allow mp3 to play in the browser. I've searched through the 'internet options' and can't find it.

[lw216316]

Are you using Windows XP  etc.... or Vista ?

[jeremy3220]

XP

[lw216316]

It may be easier to try using itunes than to figure out the problem using Quicktime.

If it was me, I'd try that first.

My Windows XP - quicktime combo worked ok on your link
itunes also works on my XP system.

If you already have Firefox on your system that's another 'easy' thing to try.

[jeremy3220]

It may be easier to try using itunes than to figure out the problem using Quicktime.

If it was me, I'd try that first.

My Windows XP - quicktime combo worked ok on your link
itunes also works on my XP system.

If you already have Firefox on your system that's another 'easy' thing to try.

you mean you were able to play it without downloading it to the computer right? I may try Itunes later.

[Danny]

you mean you were able to play it without downloading it to the computer right? I may try Itunes later.

                 Quicktime and I-Tunes can be downloaded in the same package.

       If you have a spy ware program or some firewalls and some inti-virus programs cause a lot of conflict with these issues. I eventually dropped the "extra" firewall and stopped using spyware, add aware etc. these programs screw things up more sometimes than they help.  Try disabling these one after another and trying your link each time. If it works , that will be the one blocking things.
           We recently backed everything up and reinstalled XP-Pro because of issues like this on my laptop and desktop. Since then everything works right.   

[lw216316]

you mean you were able to play it without downloading it to the computer right?  [ /quote]

Yes. After I click on your link, there is a delay of a few seconds, then a message appears, saying 'DONE'
then in a few more seconds, Quicktime, my default, takes over and plays the tune.

I don't know if the software plays your tune as the data is being received or if it downloads it first to a temporary area and then plays it.
Either way, you do not have to first download and then SAVE the music file before you can play it.

If it plays the tune 'as it receives it' - I think this is called ' streaming ' isn't it ?

With your tune, I suspect it is being downloaded to a temporary file on your pc and then played.
I say that because the first time I play your file it takes a while for it to happen - then if I click on the link a second time it plays almost immediately. This would make sense if the tune is already in a temp file and the software checks for that and does not have to download it a second time.

- Larry