Comp Freeze-->Crash when play video

[apoptosis]

Hullo everyone,
I have a really annoying problem and would appreciate some help.

Whenever I play any video that (I assume this by gspot) runs on any version of the divx codec it messes up. The video comes up for about a second or so and then the pic freezes, but the audio keeps going on for about 15 seconds. After that the audio freezes too, and my only choice is to force end task. Then after 30 seconds or so (even after WMP or RP closes) my computer totally crashes. I am not quite sure if it is the divx codec that is causing the problem, but that is what I suspect. *.wmv files crash on me too.

I don't recall any major system changes when this happend, it just happend. A long time ago (before I figured out that codec packs are for nubs!) I installed the ACE mega codec pack, but it worked for me for a few months so I don't think it is the problem.

I tried reinstalling codecs, using system restore, etc. Nothing has worked so far, and I tested the variety of videos on other computers. For some reason I can't stream videos off my web browser (or it crashes), but I can through youtube. Something is seriosuly wrong here, again any help would be appreciated.

[Moonstomp]

Hi Apoptosis,

When you run Gspot - in the Video & Audio Codecs sections (on right hand side) does it show compatible codecs installed ?

If not then you need to install the necessary audio and/or video codecs.

If it does show campatible codecs, this still doesn't mean that all is ok in the world of codecs.

At the bottom left of Gspot you'll see the "Render" button. Hit this and Gspot will test the codecs using the video file you loaded. When it shows "rendering successful" hit the status bar for details. If there are any problems with your Codecs it should tell you here.

Good luck.

Moonstomp.

[apoptosis]

Thanks.

I get the following:



So that means my codecs are fine? What else could be the problem? It is happening in more than one player.

[Bjs]

You have already answered the problem , yet not recognized the fault ... you used "system restore"

Warning - system restore .

System restore will roll back the pc to a previous "restore point" where it is presumed the pc was working well .

Any program that was installed after the last system restore point must be uninstalled , then reinstalled , as the roll back null's all executable's to program's installed after the restore point that was used .

It is also , for the none technical user's here , replace's the "registry" ... it is this problem that is causing your issue's .

Ie , uninstall all codec pack's , program's , game's that were not part of the "used" restore point ... reboot pc , then reinstall them , reboot pc , and try the playback once more .

This will update the registry detail's related to codec's .

If all is well now ... go into control panel , system , restore , disable it , reboot pc .
When up and running , re-enable restore .
Now create a brand new restore point .

Something ms has not mentioned to user's to watch out for ...

[apoptosis]

I don't think I quite get it.

I used system restore after I realized that I had a problem in an effort to fix it, but it did not solve the problem so I undid the restore. I think it should be now as if I never restored right?

Is my problem really registry? I never messed with that at all. I don't see how system restore has caused a problem.

Then again I don't have experience in these matters, so please clarify.
Thank you.

[Trident5]

Are you using the same player each time.. have you tried a differnt player... i myself have a few players i find some do have trouble playing i try a diffent player

[apoptosis]

Yes.

As I said, the problem occurs when I use WMP, Real Player, or the Divx Player. Movies embedded into webpages also do the same, but youtube gives me no problems.

[apoptosis]

Please, what could be the problem?

The main idea is this:

video freezes
audio plays for a while then freezes
I end task
computer crashes 30 secs after
this happends to me everywhere but youtube and quicktime

[apoptosis]

Someone please help me solve this problem!

[redwudz]

Try using VLC media player. It has it's own codecs and using it can often show if you have problems with your installed codecs or rule them out as the problem. The system crashing sounds more like MS explorer is trying to read the file and fails. That can sometimes cause a system crash. Or it may be that your player is still trying to read the file, even though you have canceled it.

What is really causing it can be a lot more complex. If it's not codecs or a trojan or virus problem, it may be a corruption of the registry or something with the OS. A few possibilities that are less likely is a bad RAM memory module or some program running in the background stealing CPU cycles. Though this should show up with other CPU intensive processes, such as encoding.

Since you are apparently running XP, check the Task manager when you play a video. Look at the amount of memory used, how much % of CPU is being used, the applications and the processes running and how much memory they are using. You may spot something out of the ordinary.

If this is a laptop you are using and you have the restore discs, worst case is to back up your files and reinstall the OS.

[apoptosis]

Thank you!!

VLC works and I love it, thanks.

[redwudz]

Good deal. Thank the authors if you like it. We need to encourage freeware programs.

If VLC does work, then it's likely your installed codecs are the problem with the other players.