AVI Preview Corrupted, crashes everything

[ketricelwhite]

hi all-

something has gone badly wrong with how my system tries to read all my avi files. the files themselves list ok in windows explorer, but any attempt to show them as a a thumbnail, or play them, crashes the program trying to do so. including win explorer. i think it was avisynth that did it originally, its now uninstalled., but now nothing plays them right.

how do i reset this, or re-install a working codec? i have already uninstalled the other obvious avi playing programs to no avail. please help. thanks!

[redwudz]

It sounds like the files themselves may be corrupted.

But you can try installing VLC Media Player. It uses it's own codecs, so if they play OK with it, then you likely have a codec problem.

If it's bad codecs, you can use a program like DXMan or Codec Sniper to check and delete them.

[ketricelwhite]

thanx for the help.

well, im getting closer at least. i used codec sniper to remove a number of broken divx codecs.

interestingly, vlc media player now can play the avi files fine, but a number of other programs still crash, notably virtual dub. as i said, i know the files are perfectly fine, there's obviously still some broken codec on here then that codec sniper isnt seeing. I also noticed that add remove program still lists "Divx codec" but the uninstall file seems to be missing.

any ideas? virtual dub and the other progs must be still trying to use this corrupt codec, while vlc doesnt.

[ketricelwhite]

update:

I thnk the prob might be wth divxdec.ax (listed as "Divx decoder filter" under dxman's dialog). trying to find info on it crashes dxman, and i cant find it on my system. anyone know where it might be hiding or where it "should" be?

[ketricelwhite]

update:

solved the crashing problem by deleting:

divxdec.ax
divxa32.acm
divx.dll

in system32 folder. can someone please suggst a free divx codec to download, as I now need a new one, the one on divx.com i notice has some sort of adware or something.

[redwudz]

You should still be able to get just the basic Divx codec without any adware on the Divx site, it's just 'hidden'.

http://www.divx.com/divx/codec.php

Follow the instructions there. You don't have to give out any info to DL it.

When you see the listing 'Select components to install' 'Click on the + sign beside the 'Divx Codec' and expand, then uncheck 'DivX Pro 6 month Trial'. (And don't install the Google Toolbar unless you really want it. )

Or you can get the XviD Codec.

[ketricelwhite]

thanx, got the codecs.

unfortunately, I'm still stuck with the same problem now. i think there must still be some remnants of dixv 5-1 on my system which didnt uninstall, bec. I cant get to install it properly, and my crash problem resurfaces again after the failed install. Deleting those above files stops the crashing, but then the avis wont read obviously.

i installed xvid, that got virtual dub working properly again on avi's. but it seems that all other programs (ala acsdsee, win explorer, win media player etc) dont want to use the xvid codec, they try to use the broken divx one and crash again.

can anyone tell me how i can properly purge my system of the divx codec? it wont uninstall via add/remove, and seems i cant install a fresh one till i do so.

thanx for all your help!