Divx 5 codec, major hassle

[thekief4]

I recently upgraded my divx codec to the new version 5. As soon as I did it started to hijack every attempt to play an avi file, with it's bundled player (which I could not delete without deleting the needed codec). My default player is wmp 6.4, I like it, it's simple and fast. Now when I try and play avi files wmp starts the divx player icon appears in the systray, the whole screen goes black, and the video appears in a small box in the lower left of the screen, with no way of controlling playback. I have to use alt+f4 to stop it. I have uninstalled and reinstalled version 4, but now wmp tries to download codecs from the microsoft site whenever I play avi's making it impossible to play them offline. Divx 5 has really messed up my system, I would love any advice, on getting it to work with wmp or fixing the damage it has done to my system.

[Enchanter]

DivX5 is a real pain in the butt, if you ask me. I had the same experience as you, though I did not suffer as much as you seem to have.

Uninstalling 5 and reinstalling 4 will not help, as 5 does not uninstall properly. If you did as above, you will find in the About dialog that the DivX codec you have installed is not 4, but the brand new, shiny DivX5 in all its hideous glory. I cannot exactly remember how I rid myself of 5, but if you play around with the reinstallation and removal of the DivX codecs (4 & 5), you should see some error messsages that certain files will be deleted or whatever. Manually delete these files and after making sure that they are completely gone (clear your recycle bin), reinstall 4.x. However, this is just a crude method whipped out of desperation. If you have a better way (there has got to be one), do share it with me.

[Enchanter]

Great. I just realised you were double-posting. Why must people double-post just because they fear that one of their multiple post(s) won't be read???

[thekief4]

dude it's not a double post, I put up a question about fixing wmp in the players section, and a post for help with the divx problem here in the software section. Two separate issues arising from the same bullshit problem with this stuff, so just cool your jets hot stuff. Either way though I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one suffering this, and your advice was appreciated, thanks

[Enchanter]

Glad to help anyway. Just remember to put your questions under the same thread, if they stem from the same problem. They'll be answered one way or another.

[setarip]

To thekief4

Your reference to DivX 5.0's player "hijacking" your .AVIs is probably more accurate than you realize. the program probably changed the association of .AVIs from the original OPEN with MPLAYER2 to theDivX v.5.0 player.

Have you tried simply changing the association for "VideoClip" (usually covers .AVI and MPEG files) to MPLAYER2?

As an aside, with the exception of the forum moderators, you should feel free to ignore postings by others (telling you what, where, and when you should post), who have no more authority or control over postings, than do you and I. Who knows, perhaps some people make such postings only to see their names appear more frequently?