Windows Media Player not playing .wmv or .avi

[Bizkitkid2001]

I did a windows update today, and installed a new codec thing for windows media player 9 from windows update. After that installed, I am no longer able to play .wmv or .avi files that were not xvid or divx. Xvid and divx are the only video files I can play in WMP9. I unistalled those codecs I downloaded from windows update, and i still had that same problem. i then reinstalled WMP9, and the problem is there there. Does anyone have any suggestions? And no, I can't do a system restore, i was not aware that it was disabled before i did a windows update.

Thanks,
-Biz

[Jeordiewhite]

Try this: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...cdownload.aspx
Use the ms codecs, if you cannot still play files that media player has default codecs for your movies, try ACE Mega CoDecS Pack.
Just search google for the latest version:
ACE Mega CoDecS Pack
--------------------

Pro - ACE Meg CoDecS Pack Professional Edition contains all know CoDecS, lot of useful utilitieS and the QuickTime & RealMedia AddOn Package.
Hyper - ACE Meg CoDecS Pack Hyper Edition contains lot of know CoDecS, dozen of useful utilitieS.
Player - ACE Meg CoDecS Pack Player Edition contains all of required CoDecS, some of useful utilitieS.
Select - ACE Meg CoDecS Pack Player Edition contains all of required CoDecS, Media Player Classic. (Ideal selection those who wants only play movies.)

[Bizkitkid2001]

I installed the codec pack from MS, and it didn't work. I should have posted this in my first post, but when I mean it doesn't play, i mean that when you open the file with WMP9, the program crashes.

I'll try the other codec now.

[Jeordiewhite]

The pro version includes a modified version of windows media player 9, hopefully the codec pack might work for you, however did you happen to install any other codecs, like for instance, ffdshow xvid or anything else to play divx and other codecs?
I have experienced lots of crashing due to codec conflicts, you will have to remove all traces of previous codecs, however many codec packs do leave orphaned files, one like power dvd that installs a lot of codecs or windvd, both nice programs, but if you install certain codecs with them you will start to experience crashing of explorer if you have system tasks in explorer enabled that shows clip of videos etc, and windows media player will crash due to an incompatibility.

[Bizkitkid2001]

The only thing I did was install the codec upgrade for WMP9 from Windows Update. No other codecs were installed when this problem arised. I'm mad that microsft would release a codec for media player that would screw it up like this.

I havn't found a working link to download the ACE codec you are talking about. I did a google search and all sites that I went to, i would always get a file not found or page missing whenever I clicked on a link to download the codec. Even divx digests link to the author's stie wasn't working. So I have not yet tried the ACE codec yet, hopfully I will be able to find a working link tomorrow.

[jpivonka]

MS is crippling its Media products to get in good with RIAA and MPPA (Hollywood IP Nazis). So, keep the install files for old Media Players.

There is some question in my mind about whether MP6 is superior to MP7, but I have experienced the loss of ability to play .avi files with upgrade above 7 for sure.

I have not had an issue with .wmv and MP9 yet. Guess I won't be downloading any new codecs for it soon though.

Real Player, of course, has even worse update issues (in my view).

Another good reason to maintain dual Win 98 & XP Pro environments, with distinct media player environments on each. But who will ever be able to maintain the patch library needed to update a new 98 install?

Glad I don't fiddle much with media.