The first error I got stated that the msdxm.ocx file was missing, and the windows media player didn't work at all.
(The file was probably deleted as the result of a spyware infection a year or so ago.
I didn't need windows media player for anything so I didn't much care at the time.)
I replaced the missing msdxm.ocx file back into its proper location (c:\windows\system) and the windows media player is now partially fixed.
However, it will still not play a .wav file needed for a video game.
The windows media player gives an error code 80040256 which says:
"cannot play back audio stream-no hardware or hardware not responding."
I tried looking up this error on the internet but didn't find a great deal about it.
Other sounds seem to work, such as the basic Windows startup and exit sounds.
The CD player also works fine.
I don't think there's anything wrong with the hardware.
The windows media player will play .rmi files but not .wav files.
I downloaded windows media player 9 for Win 98 and thought about installing it over the older version(6.4.07.1124) currently on the computer, but decided to wait until I had more information about the problem.
(I also have the older windows media player version application.)
The video game and windows media player work fine on another computer that is also using Windows 98 SE.
The problem rests somewhere in this computer but I don't know what the next best step is.
I'm a novice so I don't have a great deal of experience in this area.