Windows Media Player AND GOM player stopped working...

About two days ago I went to play a video file and Windows Media Player had stopped working. After a moment I get the error message "server execution failed."

I have toggled between GOM player and WMP off and on for many years. There are certain elements of both I like. I thought to myself "screw it" I'll just default back to GOM. But now when I play GOM player I get the picture but no sound.

There are several solutions for this problem listed on the Microsoft website but most of those bring more questions to me than answers "how do I do this thing they're asking me casually to do like I'm a computer geek? exp: 'Go to administrator settings and do this and that' (?). Does anyone have any simple solutions that don't require the kind of knowledge that would allow you to become a personal service tech?

Any help anyone could give would be greatly appreciated. I am on a severely limited budget and don't have the kind of money that would allow me to run down to Geek Squad and pay $200 to have it fixed.