Another new variation an it won't even launch.
Why don't you us the server that you use for the syllabus dance figures? It works fine. Am I the only one that is having problems with opening VARIATIONS or does nobody else use the site? This is immensely frustrating, not being able to view the movie, and not knowing what, if anything is being done or will be done about the problem.

Yes and no. It's a problem with IE alright, but Microsoft has no interest in creating a patch to make it work with QT. They seem to have an agenda with their own video format. Nonetheless, quicktime has taken it upon themselves to create some sort of patch. The problem is, I'm not exactly sure how to find it.

Here's what I do know: When I went to the QT website for a clean download & install, the task seemed to be more or less automated. I didn't have to download a specific installer file to my hard drive and then launch the program; The entire process was taken care of automatically. At one point in the process it prompted me about the special IE patch, and then automatically installed it. If you did not see this specific prompt, my only guess is that it assumes, based on your settings, that you already have the patch.

If this be the case, you can probably get around the problem by completely uninstalling QT and all of its related components before reinstalling. It sounds like a long-shot, but if that's really the problem, it should work. If that's not the problem, then I'm still in the dark and we need to just keep poking around the apple website for possible solutions.

Jonathan

I just checked in the apple help database, and here's what they suggest:

1. Visit the QuickTime Web site (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/). A dialog box will appear to confirm installation of the QuickTime ActiveX control.

2. Accept the QuickTime ActiveX control. The software will download and install.

Some additional info is available at:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60883

There was also a link to one "qtplugin.cab", which, when extracted, yields the file qtpluin.ocx. The ocx files normally go in your c:\windows\system folder, so you might want to check this folder on your hard drive for this file. If you don't have it, you can download it from their website or have me send it to you, and then stick it in this folder. This may or may not work, but it's worth a try. In all likelihood, it will need to be accompanied by some windows registry tweaks, so it's best to let the QT installer do it.

Jonathan

I clean installed the latest QT. Since my computer is a Mac, I don't have to be concerned about the Active X issue, or so I understand from the Active X file at Apple. I also reinstalled a newly downloaded IE 5. No luck. Still only get the Variations window with nothing appearing in the box. I'm puzzled that Netscape works OK. What's the next step?

I'm curious–am I the only Mac user that access your site, and am I the only one that is having problems?

Steve

PS Please remeber to email me the Cha Cha. Thanks.

Thanks for your quick reply, Jonathan.

My email address is ilk@mondenet.com for the Cha Cha movie.

All of my sofware is up-to -date. To be sure, as you suggested, I downloaded QT 5.0.2 again, and installed the complete package, not just the simple one, and brought it up-to-date with the attached software. Now, when I click on the QT icon, I get a Variation of the Week window as I did before and it sits there.

What now? I can't download the waltz variation.

Stephen

Ah see I didn't know about the whole mac thing. Well, just to be sure, I tried it out on my mac with IE and it works just fine. So there is hope for you.

To answer your question, "Am I the only one with this problem?" -- Probably not. If I've learned one thing in my years working on this website, it's this: Where there's one person with a problem, there are sure to be more. That's why I like to work with people to solve their problems... once I have a solution, I can give it to anybody else with the same problem.

On the other hand, I doubt it's very widespread, or I'd be hearing more about it. Because I can see it on my mac, I know it's not a problem for all mac users across the board. The evidence suggests that you're probably part of a very small minority. I know that's not very reassuring for you, but look at it this way: At least you know that there is a solution somehow... we just haven't found it yet. And in the meantime, Netscape is as good a temporary solution as any.

I must admit that although I do own a mac, I don't know much about it. My expertise is with the windows environment. I'll keep trying to look for a solution, but you being the one with the problem are in a much better position to experiment with options and possible solutions.

Keep trying.

Sincerely,
Jonathan

I tried again with Netscape Navigator 4.08 and it works fine. So the issue may be with IE. I downloaded and reinstalled the IE software again a couple of weeks ago so I presume it's the most recent. Still not good.

There is a known issue with Quicktime and IE, which affects only QT movies which are embedded in web pages. The folks over at apple have created a patch, so if you haven't been over there to download the latest version in the last few weeks or so, I suggest doing that. As time goes on, more and more websites will be embedding their video, including us.

I just spent the last week trying to save our network from the nimda virus. It completely ruined my main hard drive, so I'm lucky we still have any variations at all. Anyway, I had to get a new hard drive and install windows from scratch. Since then I have downloaded and installed the latest IE, Netscape, QT and RealPlayer, and it all works fine with the variation. If you're up-to-date on everything, you should not have any troubles.

I'll send you the cha cha variation this one time if you give me your email address.

Jonathan