Installation and Setup

Netflix conflict with Silverlight

Netflix stopped supporting Windows Media Player and switched to Silverlight. Now when attempting to view a dvd online both through Internet Explorer or Firefox they both crash and shutdown. What's the solution? Microsoft wants $59.00 just to answer the phone.

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

I try uninstalling Silverlight and then installing it again. If that doesn't work you can try posting any events from the event log here so that we can try to help.

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

I am a vista user and have worked with a Netflix customer support person on this issue for over two hours. Their answer was... well, it is just a Beta product! I have installed, uninstalled. Installed from the netflix site, and uninstalled and re-installed under the silverlight site. I can get the silverlight MS tool bar in IE to operate but cannot wach a netflix movie. It is just a black screen with the blue circle as if it is loading. The bottom of the screen reads... Done. I must open a new ie window to continue browsing the web or I must hit Ctl Alt Delte and close the netflix window. Silverlight is enabled in my browser. I am at a loss. From reading the internet blogs, it appears MAC users are seeming to have little difficulty with Silverlight compared to PC users. Ironic! What else can I try??

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

Hello Bryant,

I am new to the Silverlight Community and I saw your post and wanted to let you know that I have had the same problem as others when trying to watch movies on the Netflix site. The technical support team for the Netflix site tried to fix the problem by having me right click on the screen where normally the movie would play and then select Silverlight Configuration. From there I was to click on the Application Storage tab and select the Enable box to change the amount designated for that purpose but before I could do that a box appeared and stated that the Silverlight Configuration Utility had stopped working. After that Windows collected data on the problem to look for a solution and/or notify me if one is available before closing out the box itself. Netflix feels that this problem was caused maybe during the download process by a corruption of a file which causes conflicts in licensing or verification issues, but if that was the case would that not also be shown when using the test on the Microsoft Silverlight website to see if the program was installed correctly? Also, if that was the case, why was I able to watch movies using Silverlight for awhile on their site for about approximately one to two weeks? If it was a problem right from the get go would not it had conflicted earlier or maybe from the start? In my opinion it seems like an error or something between the Netflix site and Silverlight when retrieving verification or maybe they have to work out licensing glitches on their end. I am not a computer tech so do not take this with authority it is just my opinion. If I state something that doesn't make sense or is incorrect please let me know.

Sorry for the long post----------ChemSciGirl

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

I joined Netflix yesterday as a Christmas present to myself, primarily because I could (theoretically) watch movies on my computer. Needless to say, Silverlight didn't work. I installed, uninstalled, reinstalled, uninstalled, reinstalled from the website, uninstalled, and reinstalled, each time downloading a new file from which to work. It would indicate it was loading the movie, buffering the movie, but when it got to the end, I continually got error code 1001, and of course there's no explanation of what that means. A call to Netflix revealed that "an error code in that range means it's a Microsoft problem." In playing with it, I turned off the "enable playback of protected content (DRM)" setting under the playback tab in Silverlight configuration. It seemed to go farther, but then I got a different error screen, since I had disenabled DRM.. [:(] In the "application storage" tab, it shows the storage, but gives me no options to change the size of the quota, other than to enable/disable it, or to delete it entirely. Oh, and I went to the URL given me by the Netflix people to test silverlight (http://web.sldrm.video.msn.com/d1/sldrm.html), and it worked fine when I turned OFF DRM, and not at all when I left it running. Oh, I tried it both in IE and Firefox, most recent editions. And I'm running an XP machine, SP3.

What a useless program. And imagine my disappointment when the entire reason I'd joined was simply to watch movies on my computer. Then I discovered that Netflix USED to use Media Player, which is on EVERY Windows machine, and works entirely well on mine, but some genius decided to change it for everyone to a BETA program that doesn't work (evidently) a good share of the time. Sounds like committee "thinking." Okay, rant over.

So, if Silverlight works for Mac, and not so much for PC, why not have both available, allowing the user to CHOOSE what works best? I'd definitely accept "not as good quality" over "not at all."

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

OMG! I got it to work!

Okay, I went through two more calls to Netflix (they were very nice, but could only say that it was a Microsoft problem), and numerous unanswered e-mails to Microsoft. (Hey, Microsoft, "customer service" is not just an interesting idea...really...) In the end, I ended up disabling all of my firewalls, virus scans, etc to ensure that nothing was interfering. I then poked around until I found that I needed to have added Netflix to the "trusted sites" tab in "Internet Options" in IE. At first, it didn't work, because it required "https," but when I disabled that, and entered it in without the "s" (since Netflix doesn't use https protocol), it WORKED. I switched on all of my firewall/virus software, and it still works! WOOHOO! Since I changed it through IE it actually changed it in the system (Control Panel, Internet Options), and as a result, Firefox works as well. Which is great, since Firefox doesn't download all kinds of tracking cookies into my machine like IE does.

So, I obviously could have done it without endangering my computer to malware, but since I had NO appreciable assistance, I was on my own. And in the end, it as very easy to do, I think it would have been pretty dang easy for someone to have directed me to that option before I just stumbled onto it by accident. Think?

Thank God I'm buying a Mac with my income tax refund. Sayonara, Microsoft.

Re: Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

Thanks for the solution, this is great!

Though buying a Mac won't make Netflix stop using Silverlight ;)

Re: Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

Yeah, yeah, I know, dangit. (pout)

But at least I'll have an OS that's not been abandoned by it's creators in favor of one that is complete rubbish. And ACTUAL customer service. But I digress, that's something for a different forum thread, eh? [;)]

I'm not bitter.

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

Thanks for the tips. I tried both new ideas. I added netflix to my trusted sites and I tested it again to no avail. Also while it was loading I tried to right click to change the silverlight settings and it didn't do anything. I also went to the same site that netflix gives out as a test and it too does not respond. I have to Ctrl Alt Delete and close the window. I am at a loss.

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

When you added it to your trusted sites, did you uncheck the box, and enter it in as "http://" instead of "https://"? You might want to mess with your firewall and such, just in case its getting blocked. On the test site, will it run non-DRM content after you select the button to load the media? And have you checked your speed, to ensure your machine is fast enough? I have a good site for that, but not with me currently, I'll upload it when I'm home. I was also told by the Netflix folks that perhaps ensuring you have all the updates via Microsoft Update, as that site also updates Silverlight.

GEE, MAYBE SOMEONE FROM MICROSOFT MAY WANT TO CHIME IN? HELLO????

Re: Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

yes, I did add it to my trusted sites by unchecking the box allowing me to add netflix.com as an http//: protocol. I can open netflix.com and it opens in a new window as a trusted site. What I can not do is... run ANYTHING with SIlverlight. Netflix movies over the internet are just a black screen with the words done in the bottom left hand corner. The sight reads as not responding when you Cntl/Alt Delete. It does the same on the SIlverlight test sight. it is NOT even possible for me to change any silverlight settings when the web site in not responding. I can only open another (new) window at the start button or Ctrl/Alt delete to close the current non responsive screen. I don't get a player or anything else. Just a black screen that seems freeze up. As for my spped. My computer is a dual core prossesor. HP laptop that is less than a year old. I can run ABC.com and stream my favorite TV over my internet connection so i do not see how this could be much different?

Also, my MS vista firewall is turned off, I believe this is a local problem since it appears to be locking up my browser. Two days ago, I unistalled my symantic anti virus protection and that did not change anything either so I reinstalled it today.

Still, at a loss. IF there is an MS person out there, I would appreciate your advice. Again, I have had Netflix tech support as well as HP look at this and both parties said it was nothing they could figure out. Both parties summed it up to the fact that this is a BETA product. Why the heck did MS introduce a BETA product nationwide with this many issues when they ALREADY had Meda Player contracted with Netflix.

Re: Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

Hm, unfortunately, I'm not familiar enough with Vista to know if that's the problem, as I've been steadfast in my death-like grip on XP.

However, the black screen, does it have little blue dots that circle around? I have a pretty speedy machine myself, and I still have to wait quite a while for the whole thing to load, from the black screen to the red loading screen, to the red buffering screen (the longest), it can take as long as 10-15 minutes to finish loading. I don't want to sound demeaning, but have you waited long enough for it to load? I can't get the Silverligh Configuration to come up until it makes it to the red screen, it doesn't work on the black screen. Perhaps if you get it started and then go off and make a pizza, or have a beer and sit on the porch, play with the dog, and come back in 10-15, maybe it will have started. I know, that's really dorky, but that's all I have left. I do know that it takes MUCH longer to load a Netflix movie than ANYthing else, and I do the same things you do.

As for your question about why they made the insane mistake of ONLY allowing use of one beta product, disallowing use of another that has already worked fine, I would say it is a) committee- think, and/or the Corporate Motto of Microsoft: If it ain't broke, hell, let's fix it with something that's crap! (Vista, I'm looking at you...)

MAYBE SOMEONE FROM MICROSOFT COULD BE BOTHERED TO HELP US OUT WITH THIS PROBLEM???

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

I have had the same problem as others when trying to watch movies on the Netflix site. I am running IE7 on XP Home Edition SP3.

The technical support team for the Netflix site tried to fix the problem by having me uninstall and reinstall. All the speed tests and the Silverlight test pages run fine just no instant Netflix movies. I was instructed to right clicking on the Red Netflix screen to run the Silverlight Configuration to update storage, but the config fails after selecting the Application storage tab with the msg ( Microsoft® Silverlight Configuration Utility has encountered a problem and needs to close.)

At this point I was referred to Microsoft Tech support website where I found nothing. I was able to watch movies using Silverlight for awhile in early Dec. and loved this added benefit. I verified the Silverlight plug in was enabled for IE and also tried adding NETFLIX (with http) to trusted sites but neither resolved the issue. I am also considering CANCELING my Netflix membership until this issue is resolved.

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

Thank you so much this worked great for me! I had called Netflix, who directed me to Microsoft, well Netflix may have 24 hour support but Microsoft didn't....ridiculous, anyway thanks so much for sharing, now I'm off to watch my movie!!! Hooray!

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight ( GOT IT TO WORK MS VISTA)

Hi let me cut this short, I was having the same exact problems as all you are I have both Vista and Xp and I'm a certified Tech and I still couldn't manage to make "silverlight" but what finally worked after countless reinstalls, was that I got so pi**ed of at trying to make it work with IE and I discovered this by accident is that I opened Firefox and it worked fine, I'm just surprised that "silverlight" didn't work with IE, I mean personally I find this laughable but anyways, I hope this helps you guys 'cos I was really considering canceling my netflix membership. Just download Firefox 3 and it should work fine. P.S. none of the other solutions worked for me and you guys dont disable those antiviruses and firewalls. Just login into your netflix account USING FIREFOX and make sure that you have Silverlight installed, pick your movie and it should work fine. I'm currently using Windows Vista Ultimate.

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

I tried right clicking and changing the configuration as well, to no avail. When I went to C:\Program Files\Microsoft Silverlight\2.0.31005.0\ and double clicked Silverlight.Configuration.exe, the program terminated with an unhandled exception (PID 0x768, TID 0x670). Going through the web browser, it just quietly died. Not sure what that means, but more brains are good.

I'm running XP SP3 on an older VIA mini-ITX with a 1GHZ Nehemiah processor and 512M RAM. Just throwing that out there in case there may be an issue with unsupported hardware. Other than that, my installation is probably pretty typical.

Re: Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

have you tried installing firefox? 'cos internet explorer didn't work for me, just read my previous post.

Re: Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

I've tried both IE and Firefox. Same result on both. The browser seems to play the test movie fine on the test site that someone posted here earlier, but at Netflix it quietly kills the web browser when I try to play a movie. I've also noticed that problem I mentioned when trying to set the configuration from the .exe.

Thanks for the reply!

Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

I've tried both installing Firefox, reinstalling SL and the results are the same. Both browsers seems to play the test movie fine on the test site but nothing from the Netflix site. I also have another old desktop running XP IE6 and a Vista laptop with IE7 a that can view movies on the same network ISP connection.

Re: Re: Netflix conflict with Silverlight

Hi!!

i think when you uninstall the silverlight it is in used that's why you can't remove it...

if it is not in used then remove all temporary files from the computer and also remove the corrupted registry... using registry software....