That link just reinforces my belief that Real Player is nothing more than common junk-ware. Although I'll have to admit that it helped me learn my way around the registry. Never before have I had to delete stuff out of the "Run" key.
I use Real Alternative:
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22real+alternative%22&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8
(and Quicktime Alternative as well)
Pretty much the only time I use WMP is when something is encoded in 9pro, Media Player Classic is good enough for just about everything else.