Converting .dat to divx

[RDRULES]

I have been trying to convert a vcd to divx using all the possible programs listed on the divx-digest site downloads section. Have already wastes about 20 man hours in doing that. All the files seem to be giving errors.

First I converted the dat's to .mpegs using vcd gear.
Then tried to use virtualdub. After encoding about 80% of a file, virtualdub gives an error saying "Mpeg audio error: not enough data to encode frame".
For another file, even after repairing using vcd gear, vdub gives an error something like "error in packet stream" and does not even open the file.

Then I tried using a smaller file(fragment). Virtualdub refuses the file saying "sync error". FlaskMpeg and Xmpeg convert the file to .avi but the output contains only audio, no video.

I tried Graphedit and I-media avi renderer as suggested in the how to convert stubborn dat's article. It gives no error, and finishes the encoding, but the window doesnt close. And when I close it manually, the file is unreadable by any player, including WMP, The Playa, or even virtualdub.

I really want to convert these movies, to conserve disk space.
I would appreciate any help.
Thanks!!