Windows Media Player 10 Error for some video files

[Godfather27]

For a month or so now, I cant open .avi files with Windows Media Player. The error message "Windows Media Player has encountered a problem and needs to close" is displayed when i try. Before then i could open avi files with WMP10. However, i CAN open wma/v and mpeg files. Im running on Windows XP HE

I have searched for a solution in forums and on the support page of microsoft. Ive uninstalled and reinstalled. Gone back to 9 (which still had the problem) and upgraded to 10. Tried all the microsoft.com "Resolutions" but they all did nothing.

Ive been using VLC as an alternate but its jsut not the same..

[spizz101]

first of all have u got the divx codec used to run avi's in windows media player? if so look for a newer version of divx and if that doesnt work your possibly looking at a liscence problem petentially. may i ask what kind of avi files ur trying to open like short videos, movies etc and if ur trying to open these did these kind of files work before when u could load avi's? and hav u made any ajustments to your computer or changed any codecs?

[spizz101]

Fritzi93 always has a good solution so if mine doesnt work wait for a reply from him/her

[fritzi93]

Originally Posted by spizz101

Fritzi93 always has a good solution so if mine doesnt work wait for a reply from him/her

Heh, thanks for the testimonial.

A couple thoughts, in no particular order:

1) Have you tried what Spizz suggested? Re-install your codecs? Maybe try to re-install WMP10 too.
2) I recall reading a lot of complaints of buggy behavior in WMP10, sorry I don't have any bookmarks to link you to. But a Google search would find you some pages no doubt. Isn't WMP up to version 11 anyway? What about that?
3) So what's wrong with VLC anyway? Just kidding.

Good luck and let us know if any of the above worked. If not, there are other possibilities.

[Godfather27]

First, thanks for the replies.

ALSO, change WMP 10 to WMP 11..lol my bad. I tried opening small Avi files and they DID work. However, an even smaller avi file (tv show clip) did not work. None of my avi movies work nor do the avi tv shows. I dont get it but maybe it means something to you...
Ive had codec problems before and the video did not force WMP to close (im getting one of those messages saying wmp needs to close.. debug/send error report/dont send). But i still tried installing Divx Codecs and the problem persisted. I havent changed my codecs in months before that.

Ive done pretty extensive google searches already to find a solution but none worked and i tried uninstalling/reinstalling and also reverting to previous versions of wmp.

Anyways hope this clears up any confusion. Thanks for the help. Any other ideas??

[fritzi93]

Okay, here goes:

1) Try to install version 11. (Or did you do that already? It's not clear.)
2) If that fails try re-installing WMP10, and immediately see if it will uninstall. Then in Add/Remove Programs -> Add/Remove Windows Components, try to revert to WMP9
3) If that fails, do the above in reverse.
4) If either of the above works, run CrapCleaner on the registry. Free:

http://www.ccleaner.com/

Hit "Issues", back up the registry when prompted, and then fix problems.

5) Get CodecSniper. Free:

http://www.videohelp.com/tools?s=38#38

Post a screen shot or list the ones it tells you are "broken". CAREFUL about deleting any.

6) If any need to be deleted, do so only if you're certain what they are, or get the okay, then clean the registry again.
7) Get GSpot and/or AviCodec, from the same page as CodecSniper, both free. Load a file that doesn't play, it will tell you the specific codec you're missing. Google for the codec. Install that one only.
8) Codec packs cause a lot of people grief. Sometimes nothing can be done but a format/reinstall. The infamous Nimo Codec Pack was notorious for that (curse you Nimo!). If one is determined to install a codec pack, the basic KLite pack is, to my knowledge, safest.
9) Tried this: Start -> Run -> sfc /scannow (?)

All I can think of right now. [scratches head] Good luck.

[Godfather27]

Well it WAS a codec problem after all. I uninstalled all my codec packages and now all files work in wmp11! (which is what i started with btw) I find it strange that it started acting up now tho, considering i havent changed or updated my codec packs in months.. oh well. Codec Packs ARE grief inducing

Thanks for your help.

PS Not sure if im supposed to remove thread myself or just leave it.. im new to this. anyways im leaving it up

[fritzi93]

Yeah, leave it up. Someone might find it useful. Glad you got it sorted out.