.wmv file won't advance

[Luanialus]

Hey gang, I've got a video file that's really cool, but not so cool that I don't want to skip through parts. If I try to move the slider it just pops right back to where it was in the video without even pausing it. Its .wmv and I seem to remember someone saying it has something to do with the file not being whole or something, but that there was something you can do to make the file whole so it will track through. Am I way off base here, hopefully this hasn't been covered a dozen times, perhaps my search abilities are getting scruffy. Thanks so much.

~Mickey

[shulthise]

I think it has to do with a missing index - Either the file was not indexed when it was encoded or the index is missing (which might be the case if you have only a part of the file).

I don't know how to re/build an index to a WMV file without re-encoding it.
If you don't mind the re-encoding then open it in Windows Movie Maker or Windows Media Encoder (both free) and re-save the movie. With the WMEncoder don't forget to check the "Index" button.

Alternatively, just convert it to DivX (AVI).