[bmah]

Originally Posted by ELRayford

just flat out reinstall vista/upgrade to 7/8.

Most likely the solution to this.

Originally Posted by ELRayford

This one should be the winner.
http://www.ehow.com/how_6783019_disa...ia-player.html

Well unfortunately my OS never came with a group policy editor in the first place.

Originally Posted by ELRayford

Similar to Onis suggestion
Click 'Start' >Type Services in the search box
Click 'Services' with the gear icon
On the left, find the service for (Windows Media Player)
Double-click the service, and change the startup type from Automatic to Manual.

WMP never shows up as a service.

Originally Posted by ELRayford

Another:
System restore back to before the problem started if it is a registry issue might correct it.

Possibly. I honestly don't even remember when it started, haha.

Originally Posted by ELRayford

Last thing before reload OS
http://www.ehow.com/how_6001307_rest...-settings.html

Instructions assume that you have WMP 11 as a program listed in your list of add/remove programs, but that's not the case.

Originally Posted by Oni-Paranoia

If a program isn't running, then a protocol shouldn't be followed. Try typing in msconfig at the bottom of the start menu. Then click the startup and services tabs. Check if WMP is unchecked in those locations. This won't solve the problem, but it might prevent the issue from happening as long as you don't open WMP.

Like previously mentioned, WMP isn't a listed service anywhere.

Originally Posted by Oni-Paranoia

Also check Task Manager if it's running constantly. I've had a similar issue with another program a few years back.

Fortunately it isn't constantly running. I'll probably end up installing Windows 7 or 8 if I don't get a new laptop by then. Thanks for your assistance though!