Problems streaming wmv files

[ed_the_ead]

Whenever i try to stream a wmv file from the internet the player just says "ready" and doesn't even make an attempt to connect.
I downloaded WM11 but the problem's still there.
I also tried opening the video URL in the player on my pc rather than the embedded player, but the message:

"Windows Media Player cannot play the file. If the file is located on the Internet, connect to the Internet. If the file is located on a removable storage card, insert the storage card"

always appears. However, I am connected to the internet and WMP is not being blocked by my firewall.
Any ideas?

[Bjs]

Man , I've been lost in this screwed up wmp11 for day's ...

Check you player's setting's , right click up where it's players name is , then choose tool's , option's .

Security tab , then down below is zone setting's , click yes to annoying popup box ...
My favourite is the restricted site's ... if you find any that crash ie , add there domain here to ban them out of system .
Try changing the basic security level , and try again for the internet one only ... there is too many feature's in the custom level .

Next is network tab , configure button ...

Try it on auto proxy or do not use proxy , and try again .

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You dont stream , they do .

Could also be the file isnt there ... some are only up for short period's .

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The "cannot find" is mostly caused by site's using script's to protect there content ... you should try , by going to the site page that has the clip on it , stop it , then try media player once more ... they know where you are these day's .

If you look deep into the security settings in the player , by default alot of these feature's are "do not engage" for protection ... those that are certified and signed will go straight through ... there trying to protect the player and the pc from rogue's who would otherwise engage in mischievous behavior .

Quite a few site's these day's require you to be on the site , before the content is delivered ... a nasty habit ... I have added 6 domain's to my banned list because they crashed the ie7 browser .

[ed_the_ead]

thanks very much, found the problem - there was a "connect to the internet" check box in one of the options menus that had been unchecked for some reason, unless thats the default setting but that doesnt seem to make too much sense.
anyway, cheers for the help