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General discussion

Certain video files won't play after system recovery

Dec 8, 2004 11:32PM PST

The scenario: I goofed on a new HD install, panicked when I couldn't get the O.S., so I used the recovery disks, which brought it back to my original O.S. (Me) on the new disk. Then, upgraded to XP, and began the arduous task of trying to return things to where I left off.

System: 1.3 GHz, 768 Mb RAM, 250 Gb HD, Pavilion 9870 PC, XP Home, WMP 10

Before this disaster, I was able to play the video clips, which included mpegs, avi's, etc.

But, some of them won't now. I've been reading many of the posts here. It sounds like this topic of codec may be my problem?

the moviecodec site is the place I need to go?

It was WMP 10 that was working before, but it doesn't play all of the clips now.

I must have erased some of these codecs?

Al

Discussion is locked

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Re: Certain video files won't play after system recovery
Dec 8, 2004 11:39PM PST

If you missed the discussion, Microsoft does not install all codecs for us. While http://www.moviecodec.com has most codecs, don't just install all you can find. You can imagine many reasons why this is a bad idea.

Bob

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Re: Certain video files won't play after system recovery
Dec 9, 2004 12:01AM PST

Bob, I notice that MS has a download for codecs. Are these in addition to the ones that I might already have?

Also, could you advise on what codecs I might need, or how to find which ones I might need?

Thanks.

Al

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Re: Certain video files won't play after system recovery
Dec 9, 2004 12:20AM PST

1. Yes, install the WMP additional codecs from microsoft.com

2. I always try to use as few codecs as I can. It helps to keep me from creating some Frankenstein video that only works on my PC.

3. I noted a website with most known codecs.

4. DivX seems to be needed most of the time.

Bob

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(NT) (NT) Thanks!
Dec 9, 2004 12:33AM PST