Computer help forum: youtube stalls in new tab or from link

yes, I installed Chrome and have the same problem. I suspect it may have something to do with flash but really don't know. I have to copy the link and then paste it directly into my browser to play the video

and it doesn't sound like a Flash problem if the video works without stuttering or streaming when you copy/paste the link into any browser. If it was Flash, then you would see the same effect no matter what method you used.

Having said that, you can at least try the "Flash trick" that solves non-playing problems we have encountered numerous times in these forums. it doesn't do any harm.

When a video is playing, right click the video area and select Settings. In the window that displays de-select, (turn off), "Enable hardware acceleration". You only have to do it once in one browser and it changes in all.

But I would test the links in the emails. If you hover over the link in an email look at the status bar at the bottom of the email window, (or browser window if web-based email), and study the link. Then right click and copy the link and paste it into a browser address bar and compare. Are there any differences?

Some email links can be spoofed, but I don't think that would be the case here if you get the same video with either method.

You mention tabs, but I am not sure in what context.

Mark

I turned off hardware acceleration as you said and now I can play those videos in Chrome. In IE9 they still stall (stop downloading) after about 10 seconds. If I reopen IE9 and paste the link then the video plays just fine but if I click on the link on facebook it will only play about 10 seconds and stops. I prefer IE9 but this is a pain. I also seem to be getting more freezeups while using IE9 I'm wondering if perhaps I should reinstall IE9 although I don't know how to do that.

Reports of IE9 issues are far too many for me to write that any install is the fix.
Bob

Do you think I should install an earlier version of IE? I am running Win 7 64 bit so I don't know if it would still work.

It's advised to run the 32 bit version of IE, not the 64 bit version with the slower Javascript, in 64 bit Windows. Does that make a change?

Kees

My version doesn't say it's 64 bit so I assume it's IE 9 32 bit

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Find-out-which-version-of-Internet-Explorer-youre-using

It may not matter. IE 9 does have issues in both bittiness.
Bob

I realize that IE9 has issues - mine often refuses to open the home page when I first open it as well as freezing up. Microsoft sucks - too much money, not enough innovation. I guess it's time to live with it until the next version and a new set of problems. Thanks for the advice.

that I posted above? I did say there that you only have to do it once for the change to take place in all browsers, but it might be a good idea to test that statement and do the same Flash hardware disable in any flash video in IE9, (both versions, 32 bit and 64 bit).

That said, your mention that you have other issues with IE9 points to some other problem, and I am guessing ActiveX or other add-ons.

ActiveX are BHOs, or Browser Helper Objects, peculiar to IE, and sometimes they, or other add-ons, can go bad or be malicious or just poorly coded.

Try this. Open IE in it's "No add-ons" mode. You will find that in Start > All programs > Accessories > System Tools.

This will open IE with all add-ons, toolbars and extensions disabled. Some web sites may not display all content, and I doubt videos will work, but if you don't experience any problems with IE in this mode then this points to an add-on, toolbar or extension being the culprit.

If so, then you can re-open IE normally, head over to "Manage Add-ons", disable them all then add them back in,one at a time, and test until you find the offending one.

See if that helps.

Mark

It seems that solved the problem. I disabled add-ons and then turned them on again one at a time and left the ones disabled that were not needed anyway. Videos play on youtube. Thank you all so much for taking the time and especially to Markflax for the answer.

Glad that worked for you.

As a general rule with IE problems, if all else fails, disable the add-ons then look for the bad one.

Mark