The old "QuickTime Plugin.webplugin" fix didn't work this time

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Level 1

31 points

The old "QuickTime Plugin.webplugin" fix didn't work this time

Whenever installing an Apple update has messed up my Quicktime's behavior in the past (maybe a dozen times or so) I've used the tried-and-true fix I found in this forum. I've always:

opened the HD/Library/Internet Plug-Ins folder
removed the QuickTime Plugin.webplugin file
relaunched the browser

After the most recent updates, that trick no longer works. It won't create a new "QuickTime Plugin.webplugin" like it did before. (Yes, like an idiot I had already trashed the file, assuming it would work as always.) I've quit and relaunched everything, restarted the computer, turned it off overnight... nothing. In fact, now I can't find any QT plugins anywhere. Now when I click an .mpg or .mp3 (direct linked, not embedded) it won't open and play on a new browser page - it just downloads the file onto my desktop.

1) Any idea why it won't create a new plugin? 2) If reinstalling Quicktime is the only solution, will I have to pay another thirty bucks for Pro registration? 3) Why why why, after all these years, do we still go through this same old nonsense every time there's an update?

Mac Power PC G4, Mac OS X (10.4.11), Quicktime Pro v7.4.1(14) | Safari 3.1(4525.13)

Posted on Mar 24, 2008 3:27 PM

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Answer 1

Kyn Drake

Level 7

21,591 points

Mar 24, 2008 3:46 PM in response to DaleMacsMac

Welcome to the discussions, DaleMacsMac.

If you re-install QuickTime, you won't have to pay for Pro registration again, just re-enter the same code you used previously.

I don't know why you still have to go through that nonsense. I've never had to move or remove the webplugin file.

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Answer 2

DaleMacsMac Author

Level 1

31 points

Mar 25, 2008 12:30 AM in response to Kyn Drake

Re: "I've never had to move or remove the webplugin file."

In that case, forgive me if I request an answer from someone who has had to replace the webplugin recently. This problem has been cussed/discussed here in the past. (As has Pro re-registration non-recognition ...if that annoyance has finally been fixed, it's a giant leap forward for mankind. Have you re-installed Quicktime lately?)

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Answer 3

Mar 25, 2008 1:11 AM in response to DaleMacsMac

Im also having the same problem. Ive recently brought a new iMac, and have just had my first automatic software update. Since updating quicktime I have been trying to play an avi file via quicktime and can only get sound, the movie shows as a white background only. Ive tried trashing the webplugin but it didnt change anything.

Any ideas? Its very frustrating! Ive tried viewing it via iTunes, but this didnt work either.

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Answer 4

Mar 25, 2008 1:30 AM in response to Terri_Teo

Just downloaded perian from Perian.org and now quicktime is working perfectly. Fabulous! Very happy! Thanks for everybody's help via discussion forums.

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Answer 5

Kyn Drake

Level 7

21,591 points

Mar 25, 2008 4:05 AM in response to DaleMacsMac

Yes, I've been playing around with one test system and have done "archive and install" and QuickTime installs several times. I've found in most cases that even after doing the A&I and installing QuickTime, my Pro credentials are still there and are picked up by the new install. But, as long as you have the registration serial from when you originally upgraded to Pro 7, if you DO lose your Pro during the re-install, you just go into QuickTime and re-enter the information.

I apologize for only being able to answer your install question. I only mentioned that I've never had to do anything with the webplugin because I didn't want you to think I hadn't read your core question and was accidentally not replying to it. I just don't know about that part of the equation, but as you say, there are many users that have and one's likely to reply to this thread.

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Answer 6

Mar 25, 2008 6:03 AM in response to DaleMacsMac

This "fix" is for Safari users (only browser affected) for QuickTime page content that only plays the audio portion of the file.
A new .webplugin file is not created after moving or trashing the file but this is not the cause of your current problem with "direct" links.
You must set your MIME Settings for .mp3 and .mpg files in order to view them using the QuickTime browser plug-in.
QuickTime System Preference pane / Advanced tab
You can also just "Copy" the URL from the Web page, open QuickTime Player and then "Open URL" (File menu) to paste in the dialog window.

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Answer 7

DaleMacsMac Author

Level 1

31 points

Mar 25, 2008 12:12 PM in response to Kyn Drake

Re: "I apologize for only being able to answer your install question."

Oops, I didn't mean to blow off your reply, Kyn. I'm just annoyed that the old fix didn't work this time, and curious to know why. But like I said, if reinstalling QT is the easiest solution, it's reassuring to know my Pro registration won't get zapped. Thanks! :o)

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Answer 8

DaleMacsMac Author

Level 1

31 points

Mar 26, 2008 11:07 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

Was this in response to my question, or Terri_Teo's? My QuickTime System Preferences are configured like they've always been, this behavior affects all my browsers (not just Safari), it doesn't play the audio portion - it downloads the file, and the "fix" has always created a new QuickTime Plugin.webplugin in the past.

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Answer 9

Mar 26, 2008 11:28 AM in response to DaleMacsMac

Directly to you (as the "reply to" part states).
For most Sites you must set your MIME Settings to "allow" playback of non-standard Quicktime formats. If they still download, instead of opening in a new browser window, then the error is caused by poorly written "scripts" (PHP and others) used by the page authors or by third party download "accelerators" software.
If the links are "direct" (text based links to a QuickTime file format) just copy the link and paste it into another browser window or open the file directly in the QuickTime Player (Open URL feature found in the File menu).
If the link ends in .php it will become a crap shoot.

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Answer 10

DaleMacsMac Author

Level 1

31 points

Mar 26, 2008 8:48 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

It seems we're hung up on describing the normal behavior of Quicktime. Yes, there has always been an occasional page that does what you describe, but my point is that ALL pages are doing it now. (QT is also doing other odd things that I haven't even gone into - I must assume it's because there are no plugins.) I posted to see if anyone else has had problems creating a new file using the old "fix" after the most recent Safari and Security Updates - but I guess my curiosity will go unsatisfied. I'll probably just try reinstalling QT, as Kyn suggested.

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Answer 11

DaleMacsMac Author

Level 1

31 points

Apr 2, 2008 3:02 PM in response to DaleMacsMac

Final entry: Reinstalled QT7 (no problem with Pro registration). Got my plugins back and it more-or-less fixed the major problems described above. But QT is still buggy and jerky. Messed around with the settings, but never could get it to behave like it did before. Seems like every time I download an "update" it causes some new stupid crap to screw up. I'm just gonna stop downloading them. It ain't worth my time and stress. How I long for the days when Apple truly was "insanely great" - now it's just insanely annoying.

But thanks for your help, guys.

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Answer 12

Apr 4, 2008 9:39 AM in response to DaleMacsMac

May be of no help to others on this forum, so just FYI -

I had to get the "QuickTime Plugin.webplugin" file back OUT of my internet plug-ins library in order to allow closed-captioning of streaming videos (using Safari Version 3.1 (5525.13) on Mac OS X 10.5.2) - specifically, from Lynda.com. One of their techs suggested it, and the fix worked.

Now, though, I'm wondering what trashing that plug-in disabled in terms of Webkit capabilities and whether I'll have to reinstall later.

No problems with Firefox or Opera downloading the same files, with or without the plug-in.

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