M3U files, SteelGuitarJazz website.

Larry Robertson · Post by **Larry Robertson** » 21 Apr 2008 4:55 pm

Well, this is a new one for me. The SteelGuitarJazz site has a listening library section with some files (tunes) in MP3 format. Forum member Jim Cohen had a link on a post in the "Steel Guitar" section of the forum (titled 'msa millenium sound' on page 3 of that thread) I clicked on some of the MP3 files on SteelGuitarJazz from my home computer and instead of loading Windows Media Player and playing the files, I got a window to download the file because it said the file type could not be played by my default media player. Only 2 options available in the window. 'save' and 'cancel' The filename extention was now shown as '.M3U' and the file was only 61 bytes long. I saved it, but it won't run (unrecognized file type). If that is not enough of a mystery, I tried opening the same files on the SteelGuitarJazz site on my computer at work. They work properly. That is, clicking on the MP3 file on the site opens Windows Media Player and the file starts streaming and plays just fine. Both computers are running Vista, I access the site with my MSN account for both computers, and both are using Qwest DSL for the ISP. I am sorry to be so long winded, but figured I had to fully explain to get any ideas going. What is an M3U file? and what in the communications link or my computer would change a file type from MP3 to M3U? Thanks, Larry Robertson.

Gary Baker · Post by **Gary Baker** » 24 Apr 2008 12:49 pm

This is a WINAMP file. Similar to Windows Media File but needs a little different handeling.

Go here http://filext.com/file-extension/M3U to see what to do.

Your computer at work most likly has winamp on it and a new VISTA PC my not.

Blessings, Bo Baker

Larry Robertson · Post by **Larry Robertson** » 24 Apr 2008 6:43 pm

I found the problem. My home computer Internet Explorer did not have Windows Media Player set as the default player. Re-setting WMP as the default media player fixed the problem. I also found out that an M3U file ia a winamp file, but since I am trying to keep only one player on my machines, I did not seek to find & load the latest winamp. I have found that these various players do not like each other and will sometimes change setting in their competitor player if found on the same machine. Bad citizens! bOb, Please close this thread.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 24 Apr 2008 6:51 pm

But not before I get to say 'thanks' to you both for teachin' me something about my website! 'Thanks!'