Not A valid .avi file?

[FatBat]

My problem is that my avi files are getting corrupted! I am not sure why. I think it was because I changed the extension on some from .avi to .mpeg and vice-versa. I did this directly from windows so it may have screwed up some stuffs. But it did play fine ion WMP9.

Now my movie files are scrwed up even those that I didn't mess around with. I know they work well because I seen them before but all of a sudden it's not working anymore. I can't open it in Virtual Dub or anything because it is 'not a valid file type.' It's detecting it as not an .avi file. I can't repair it using DivFix because they said it's not an avi file. I know for a fact it is a DivX avi file! So any suggestions ppl?
Thnx!

[FatBat]

Forgot to mention that I think it is something wrong with the avi header file or something.

[billy]

i dont know if this will help. cant you use virtual dub check what the file is (avi,mpeg) and use a file renamer to change the ext. to what its supposed to be

[kitty]

Try using GSpot (see tools) to see what codec they actually use to name the extension properly & ensure you have the right codec on your machine.

[TBoneit]

And you have scanned for a virus haven't you??

Or maybe you downloaded one of those bogus files floating around on them there P2P networks and it messed up your machine or the AVI files?

I'm just guessing since I don't P2P and keep my Av software up to date, So far (knock wood for luck) no problems.

I ask about the virus because there is (or more than one) that replaced JPGs & MPGs with copies of itself. I've seen that one at work on a customers machine. Every video & Picture trashed.

Good Luck
Roger T

[thayne]

One bit of advise would be to not name .avi's .mpegs and vise versa... They aren't the same.

[FatBat]

I can't open the .avi file in gspot and Virtual Dub. It says it is not an .avi file. I know for a fact it is because I already watched it. I just tried playing it again today and it won't run. Since I got it to play before I'm guessing I have all the codecs and it is a correct .avi file. It's just that I think the header or something is screwed up.

And I do think the renaming of extensions screw it up.