Problem Playing Back Avi Files

[DeltaForce]

First post so hey guys.

Hoping someone can help me with this.

Whenever I try and play a video for the first time after starting my computer up it won't play unless it's an mpeg. WMP will open and I can still move my mouse and everything but the vid just won't play.

I have to Ctrl Alt Del and end task and then straight after I'll try and play it again and it will play fine. So basically it's a problem with playing any video file for the first time after restart that isn't an mpeg.

I've tried re-installing wmp without uninstalling first and I've tried uninstalling it and then re-installing it but I still have the same problem. It's a problem with ALL avi files using a whole load of different codecs all of wich I have installed.

I've cleaned my system as much as I can hoping that might help by using Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, Panda Anti Virus, Registry Mechanic and defragged but still no luck. I'm using windows 98se and I use media player 6, I know that might sound stupid but it's the one I like best and I've never had a problem with it before, Oh and I've tried installing the newest player and it still doesn't help.

Hope someone can help,

Thanks.

[setarip]

"It's a problem with ALL avi files using a whole load of different codecs all of wich I have installed."

I'm guessing that you're suffering from "codec overload".

For playback of virtually all .AVIs, you're probably better off UNinstalling most of your codecs and installing the FFDShow filter instead.

[DeltaForce]

I just used Gspot to have a look at all my codecs and your right I do have quite a lot of them but I found something else that might be the problem but I'm not sure.

Gspot says I'm missing a VFW driver file. Could that be the problem? I've included a screenshot.

[setarip]

That's a mind-blowing concept - GSpot can determine that a driver is missing, but it doesn't know which one ;>}

That certainly could be the source of your problem. If your O/S is WinXP, perform a "System Restore" back to the last time things were working properly.

Actually, it looks like you're missing ALL of the video codecs included on the Windows installation disc, including at least:

VFW CVID Cinepak Codec by Radius Radius Inc. QCAP.DLL --> ICCVID.DLL
VFW IV32 Ligos Indeo® Video 3.2 Ligos Corporation QCAP.DLL --> IR32_32.DLL
VFW MSVC Microsoft Video 1 Microsoft Corporation QCAP.DLL --> MSVIDC32.DLL
VFW MRLE Microsoft RLE Microsoft Corporation QCAP.DLL --> MSRLE32.DLL
VFW M263 Microsoft H.263 Video Codec Microsoft Corporation QCAP.DLL --> MSH263.DRV
VFW M261 Microsoft H.261 Video Codec Microsoft Corporation QCAP.DLL --> MSH261.DRV

[sfheath]

Hi Delta, try looking in the Control Panel/Install software/Windows Setup box and look for a video heading. I think you should see something like Video codecs. Have you got your Windows CD handy just in case?

[DeltaForce]

@ setarip

I've just used Gspot to check if I have those codecs installed and I do, I also searched on my computer for the dll files and they are all there. I've included another screenshot to see if that helps.

@ sfheath

I can't do that, I'm using windows 98se and I guess you can only do that on XP, also I don't have a windows cd.

[DeltaForce]

Sorry heres the other screenshot.

[setarip]

A mind boggling array!

[DeltaForce]

Any other ideas?

I've tried downloading and installing the VFAPI codec but still doesn't help.

[sfheath]

Originally posted by DeltaForce

@ sfheath

I can't do that, I'm using windows 98se and I guess you can only do that on XP, also I don't have a windows cd.

yes, I'd read you're Win98. Windows Setup is a tab in the Install Software utility in Control Panel .. I used to use it a lot

[DeltaForce]

Oh I see, I'm with ya now. Had a look in there and theres something called Multimedia so I click on Details and inside there is no mention of any video codecs. The only half interesting thing in there is something called Video Compression and it says "Provides video compression for recording or playing back multimedia"

[sfheath]

yes, before compressor/decompressor became more widely used Windows used the long form.
I vaguely remember VFW being part of the Windows package and therefore accessible from here.
You should have a similar "Audio Compression" ?

[DeltaForce]

Yes thats right I have an audio one as well wich says "Provides audio compression for recording or playing back multimedia"

So is this important and can I fix my problem from here?

[sfheath]

I was hoping you could but can't get my head round why your files 'play' on the second attempt.
Have you rebooted since installing the VFAPI codec?

[DeltaForce]

Yep I've done nothing but reboot today to try and get this problem sorted out. Installed the VFAPI codec without a problem but Gspot still says I have an unknown file missing.

Like you say it's just really wierd how they play fine on the second attempt.

Also if when my computer has just booted up I open up VirtualDub I can open any avi in there no problem. I don't have to do anything in VD just open it load a vid in and then shut it down then after shutting VD down avi files will play without wmp freezing.

But obviously I would rather get this sorted so I didn't have to play an mpeg first or do the above with VD.

It's a strange one.