WMP 6 avi trouble mpeg fine

[computer2slow]

I'm trying to help somebody at a picture forum I help out at and somebody there has me stumped so I thought I try here. I've seen his start up and don't think it's anything in there. Recommended checking for spyware and viruses. Doesn't have power dvd "it's giving me a little trouble in the past". And he said that the videos use different codecs Divix, Xvid, and 3ivX etc. If you want the screen shot of his startup will post. Somebody else recommended VLC media player. Is it very good. Hope you can help me help him. If you can will pass on the name/names of who helped. And here is what he says is the touble:

1st post

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 when I try and play it after that 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.

Hope someone can help,

Thanks

2nd post

It's a problem with ALL avi files when ever they are played for the first time.

I've run Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware, Panda Anti Virus, Registry Mechanic, cleared all temp internet files/cache and defragged.

I got Gspot and I have and as far as I can tell always have had the required codecs.

3rd post

I'm using 98se and I use media player 6. I know that might sound stupid but it's the one I like the best and I've tried installing the latest WMP to fix the problem but it hasn't helped.

4th post

Thanks for all the advice guys. It appears I have an Unknown VFW Driver file missing according to Gspot, not sure but maybe thats causing this annoying problem.

[Adub]

It sounds like a confliction of codecs. If he has more than one codec for an avi file then they could be conflicting and causing the proplem.

Also VLC is a good program. In fact I recommend it if nothing else works. You could also try Winamp. Both are wonderfull programs.

He should try uninstalling a few of his avi codecs and see if that helps at all.

Or maybe there is something wrong with the codecs in which case uninstall and reinstall.

[computer2slow]

Is there a program that can check if a codec is correupt? The working fine after the hitting crt-alt-del is the odd thing for me. Will pass on what you said.