Can't see AVI files in MCE under "Videos"

[RadioGiant]

I just noticed that my fully-patched MCE2005 system (HP m470n) no longer lets me see the avi files under "videos", although I can see other video types (wmv, mp4). It's weird. If I change an avi file extension to .mp4, I can then see and play it. Any thoughts on what's going on, and what I can do (short of changing all file extensions?)

[rcmpayne]

Bump for answer

i am seeing teh same issue, i now have a norton ghost image when this happends i restore and it works, no idea whats going on

[ebenton]

I think that probably your AVI files are not associated with Windows Media Player anymore, assuming that they ever were. Windows Media Center will not be able to see any files that it can't open in Windows Media Player. If you double-click on one of them, what application runs when they open?
If it's not Windows Media Player, try right-clicking the file and then mouse down to the "Open with" selection. When the sub-menu comes up with a list of programs to use, select "Choose Program...".
When the subsequent "Open With" dialog comes up, select Windows Media Player from the list of programs, and then check the checkbox that reads, "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file."
This should change the file association for AVI files to Windows Media Player.
If this doesn't fix your problem, I was just guessing. If it fixes your problem, I'm a friggin' genius.

[ebenton]

There's one other thing you might try. From your All Programs menu, select "Set Program Access and Defaults". For some reason, the next dialog that comes up is named "Add or Remove Programs", but never mind that. Make sure the "Set Program Access and Defaults" icon on the left-hand panel is selected.

If you currently have the "Custom" radio button selected, click on the double down-arrow on the right to see what those settings are. Make a note of them so you can go back to them if you want to.

"Select the "Microsoft Windows" radio button and see what happens to your AVI files. Or if you want, you could try changing one of your custom settings for the "Choose a Default Media Player" section.

[ebenton]

Holy crap, I just noticed that the original question was posted on April 12, 2007, and the first reply was today by rcmpayne. The whole thing is probably OBE now (Overcome By Events), but maybe my answers might help rcmpayne who replied today. That's what I get for not reading the dates right away.