I think Winamp is going to crash my system

[Kurtdl]

I like Winamp and all the cool plug-ins, but every time I run Winamp it either freezes up my system or when I close it I get an invalid page fault message. I cannot figure out how to repair these problems so the only next step would be to uninstall it. Does anyone out their know how to fix it?

[Luke]

My Winamp also frequently freezes.
At first I thought it was a conflict with Netscape.
Now I think it happens when I add more then one directory to my playlist. I am not yet completely sure that this is the problem but I think it is likely. Although I seem to remember having multiple directories before I installed netscape without hassle.
????

[Cisco Ducks]

I too was having this problem, and I wasn't having any other problems with my system. Later, I started having some problems with Norton Security (I have since switched to a different firewall).

It may have something to do with a conflict with either the new Windows Media Player, Norton Security and the way Norton hacked the old AtGuard firewall or outdated sound and video drivers (or a combination of those factors). I don't know.

I know I was complaining loud and long with little to constructive advice given - a few guesses by some well-meaning folks that were way off the mark.

I've finally gotten WinAmp to run correctly for two days now, and I'm not quite sure why. But I'm writing a detailed explanation of what I've done to my system in pursuit of WinAmp (I really like the program, I just wish it didn't lock up). The reason I'm writing all this is that maybe there's a clue in here tha will help lead to a solution.

My previous work of uninstalling WinAmp and completely cleaning out the registry is a wash - the freezes showed up about a week or two later again.

This time around, I uninstalled Norton Security, uninstalled WinAmp, uninstalled the new Windows Media Player, uninstalled Sonique (a stopgap I installed after WinAmp started freezing up my system, but Sonique has a few bugs of its own like a massive memory hemorrhage) installed a newer, more stable firewall.

I then reinstalled Windows over the previous Windows installation, went to download.com and found the latest drivers for Soundblaster AWE 64 soundcard and Voodoo 3dfx graphic card, installed them.

Ran Norton System Check Norton WinDoctor, being careful not to let Norton auto-fix stuff (you have to go through this item by item and have a good idea of what's being fixed - Norton is good, but it'll do some strange and unhealthy things if you let it). Removed the old WinAmp.ini file and all WinAmp related files and registry entries.

Ran system for a few days using CoolPlayer as an mp3 player (it's OK, but the graphic equalizer sounds like poop). Finally got sick of CoolPlayers cheesy sound and reinstalled WinAmp, fully expecting the same crap.

It's been working fine for a few days now, and it's really eerie. This is the first time in months.

Sonique was definitely not the cause, as I installed it because of WinAmp's constant crashing.

However, I now suspect that WinAmp does not like to play in the same sandbox with the new Media Player or with Norton Security. If that is the case, then yes, it would appear to be a bug in WinAmp, as other mp3 players all work as they are designed to in the same environment.

Does any of this mean anything to anyone else?

[kolakowskit]

I have problems with Winamp on 3 machines. On one PC, Windows Media Player 6 andYahoo Player do not work, while Winamp works fine. On my notebook, aftr installing Winamp, no sound worked , except Winamp. On my daughter's PC, Winamp akes control of the system so nothingele can b done. Winamp is extremely buggy!

[helpful]

I think media player causes the conflicts!Uninstall it to see, I did, no more winamp probs!

[Harry Jello]

It is definatly a problem with Norton Internet Security. I put up my firewall a few days ago and every time I open Winamp it crashes the system. I don't have the new Media Player, so that can't be the problem (well, it is possible that there is yet another bug...). Anyway, if anyone knows of a better firewall to use (or mp3 player as good as winamp) please e-mail me. I would hate to uninstall Norton just to use winamp...
Thanks
Harry
P.s. Could the bug be a problem with Norton trying to block the CDDA feature? Just an idea...

[Winsane]

Ain't nothin as good as Winamp.
Does it still crash if you:
-go to Winamp Preferences/Setup, select "No internet connection available", and uncheck "Check for new versions of Winamp at startup" and "Allow Winamp to report basic, anonymous program usage information."?
-go to Winamp Preferences/Plug-ins/Input, double-click on "Nullsoft CD/LineIn plug-in", uncheck "Use CDDB", and click OK?

Also, if the problem results from Norton blocking Winamp's attempts to connect to the internet, is there a way to configure Norton to allow Winamp access to the net?

I've heard that BlackICE Defender (http://www.networkice.com/html/blackice_defender.html) is pretty good, but perhaps not sufficient by itself.

[oldschool]

Winsane. . .

You are a genious!! My computer was locking up all the time - I think the reason must be that I said I didn't have an internet connection (will be a car MP3 player) and it would lock up looking for some sort of internet connection. Now it is working awesome - everyone that is having problems with locking up, make sure you try Winsane's suggestions. They worked for me!!!

[FlatScrewed]

OK, Winsane, I tried your fix and I swear the problem iis worse now. It seems like every time I leave WinAmp alone for a while, it just locks up my computer. The music still plays (that's a plus), but I just can't get the cursor to move. It's driving me crazy!!!!! Does anyone else have any suggestions?

[Reverend Ike]

FlatScrewed -

Could you provide some of your system specs, such as processor speed, amount of RAM, operating system, type of soundcard, etc. Also, are you using waveOut or DirectSound as your Output plugin? And what other plugins do you have installed (besides the default ones)?

Shoot us some answers, and we will try to help you out.