Q: When runinng PCMark05, I receive an error message "WMV Video Playback: Initialization failed." How can this be fixed?
A: There are a few tips which may help to correct this problem: Ensure that the latest PCMark05 build (1.2.0) is being used. If needed, a free patch to 1.2.0 can be downloaded from here: http://www.futuremark.com/products/pcmark05/patch/. Then un-install any 3rd party video codec packs and check that Windows Media Player launches and runs without any error messages and is able to play back video normally.

Q: I receive a notification that Windows Media Encoder 9 needs to be installed even if I already have Windows Media Player 10 or 11 installed. What is the problem here?
A: The Windows Media Encoder 9 needs to be always downloaded and installed separately as it is not included in the Media Player standard installation. You can download the Windows Media Encoder from here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx Please note that only the 32bit version of the Encoder 9 is supported by PCMark05, even if you have a 64bit OS in your system.

Q: The benchmark does not give me a score after the tests end and I can see an error "Video Encoding: Error in filter initialization." in the log. What's wrong and how can this be corrected?
A: Uninstalling any 3rd party video codec packs present on the system may correct this problem. Please also ensure that you have Windows Media Encoder version 9 installed on your system. Please note that 64bit versions of Windows XP or the Media Encoder are not supported.

Q: When starting PCMark05, I receive the following error message ""In order to run all the tests properly, Visual Settings need to be set to "Adjust for best appearance" and the "Classic Style may not be selected". How can I correct this problem?
A: This procedure probably fixes your problem: "Initialization failed. In order to run this test the Visual Settings need to be changed. See help for details." Follow the following instructions (from PCMark05 Help): If PCMark05 reports visual settings being wrong, set visual effects to "Best appearance": 1. Click Start, click Run, and then type sysdm.cpl in the Open box. 2. Click the Advanced tab, and then under Performance, click Settings. 3. Click the Visual Effects tab, and click "Adjust for best appearance" Make sure you don't have Windows Classic theme selected in Display properties: 1. Right-click an empty area of the desktop, and then click Properties. 2. Click the Themes tab, select "Windows XP" theme in the Theme list and then click OK.

Q: Why are my HD results .00x MB/s on my system with the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core CPU?
A: In order to get the HD tests to run correctly on the AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core CPUs, you can: 1) place switch "/usepmtimer" in the boot.ini file (defining the operating system startup switches) OR 2) install the AMD Processor Driver for Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 (v1.2.2.2), which adds the switch to boot.ini. The driver can be downloaded here: http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/utilities/amdcpu.exe