I'm having plugin problems with FireFox 2.0.1 and Vista. Can someone help me out?

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

I recently got a new computer, and put Vista on it, followed by FF 2.0. I have the 64 bit Version of WMP 11. However, on several different sites, I am unable to play the videos, and I receive a message saying there are missing plug ins. The link it gives me says I need WMP 2 or greater, which basically means it doesn't know what the fuck it wants. Anyone have any idea how to fix this? (And yes, I know Windows is terrible, but until I get some VM ware stuff, I need it for some of my programs).

[Kutjara]

1. Many of the plugins are only compiled for...

...32 bit machines. There was an article in this month's PC Magazine about it. You either have to use the 32 bit version of Firefox or wait for the plugins to be written for the 64 bit architecture.

[TheFriendlyAnarchist]

2. So is my problem w/ my 64 bit WMP, 64 bit Vista, or FireFox?

I'm pretty out of it right now, thinking for myself is beyond me.

[Kutjara]

3. My guess is Firefox.

FF is looking for plugins that don't exist yet. Presumably that's why you're getting that whacky WMP2 message (the system clearly has no clue what it's looking for).

I don't have a 64 bit machine, so I'm speculating a bit, but it looks like FF is trying to call the 32 bit version of WMP. Is the version of FF you downloaded a 64 bit version or a 32 bit version? If it's 32, I can understand why it's looking for the wrong plugin. If it's 64 bit, though, it should be looking for a 64 bit plugin.

This may simply be one of those early adopter problems you have to wait out. Vista isn't in official retail release yet, so things will take awhile to settle down.