Cant Play wmv file

[OJNSim]

Hi
I have a 1.75G wmv file that I could play until I restore a backup image onto the laptop
The image was create from the same machine, after the first install of all basic things I need

After restoring the image I also installed the latest k-Lite codec pack (32 and x64) - but the file could not be played
Uninstalling k-Lite and installing shark07 codec pack - did not solve the issue

What happen is that WMP - is not playing anything, whilst VLC starts playing 2or 3 sec then stop and start again.

The machine is installed with win 7 x64, and wmv is 1920x1080

Other files are OK

Any suggestions?

tx

OJ

[yoda313]

Start by uninstalling the codec packs - they are not looked upon favorably here.

Vlc should work all the time. Reinstall it to be sure.

Barring that try mpchc which should also work on virtually every file.

[DB83]

To install one codec pack is bad. To install two is worse. To install three is suicide.

Post a mediainfo report of the file you can not play. But also try ffdshow.

[OJNSim]

Hi

Attached the MedioInfo txt file

Can you guys please explain what's wrong with installing Codec Packs?
I am doing this for years and this is the first time I hear some negative approaches regarding this
Also, what is the alternative?

Reinstalling VLC didn't solve it.

tx

OJ

[yoda313]

Reinstalling VLC didn't solve it.

Have you tried mpchc yet?

[DB83]

Codec packs install all sorts of sh*t that you do not need. Un-installing them will probably not remove all the sh*t. More than that, some of the sh*t could be ad-ware items which install browser add-ons, search bars etc. etc.

So you just install the codecs you need or use players vlc or mp-hc that use their own built in codecs or wmp and ffdshow.

Can I ask you to clarify what you mean by 'image' ? You could well be over-writing something in this latest install.

edit: vlc should have no issue playing that file. So I wonder if that image backup/restore has damaged it.

[OJNSim]

I have tried mpchc as well

Image is literally reinstalling the machine from scratch
The only difference is that you do not need to install each program separately one after another, but all in one step

The first time you install the machine is always the "standard" way (installing the OS, then all software you want. Then you take the image which is copying bit by bit into the image.
There are lots of imaging programs (DriveImage XML, Ghost,acronis etc)
Once the image is ready you can always restore it to the machine

I use it to clean the HD, and start from fresh, from time to time.

So, referring DB83 remark

You could well be over-writing something in this latest install.

It is for sure that I over-written something. In fact I over-written everything....


did you learn anything from the Media - Info details?

[DB83]

I do understand what a basic disk image is but I did not understand what you wrote in your OP "after the first install of all basic things I need"

If I read you correctly, the image also includes the 'basic things' so they also get over-written.

If you read my edit from the above reply, vlc will play those files without issue( I have several similar ones with the same codecs) in the normal course of events. If it chokes on playback then it could well be a file i/o error such as bad sectors on the hdd.

[OJNSim]

I do understand what a basic disk image is but I did not understand what you wrote in your OP "after the first install of all basic things I need

Basic things - bad phrasing.
I meant programs I will always need and install (outlook, VS, browser, player etc). Doesn't make sense to make a disk image of the OS alone.

Maybe I do not understand what you mean by saying over written.

You can simply consider restoring image, as formatting and installing the partition from scratch.
This means that everything that was was installed before the restore operation, is gone.
If anything (say, codec) has been installed after the image was created, then after restoring the image it will not be installed.

It is very likely that in the past in order to play this particular wmv file, I encountered the same problem, and I had to install some codec. In fact, as I think about it I am almost sure that was the case.
Only I simply do not remember how I solved it, and I fail to solve the problem this time.

I checked and defragment the partition. all good.

What about the MediaInfo?

[DB83]

MediaInfo[/URL]?

How many more times must I tell you. There is NOTHING in the report to suggest that vlc CAN NOT play this. I have similar videos and these play fine.

To say again, vlc relies on its own codecs and not ones you install from a codec pack. As a precaution you could also seek out the official wmv9 codecs which would be downloaded from Microsoft and not from any codec pack. They could be needed for playback with Windows Media Player - just tested that as well.

[OJNSim]

My friend
Thank you very much for the help and advise.
I really appreciate it. I do.

However, I do not like the tone of your last post.
Especially because it is wrong.
You did say VLC relies on its own codec, but you didn't refer the Media Info.
And even if you did and I didn't get it, this is not the way.

Thank you again

[aedipuss]

bummer but it's only an illegal downloaded porno anyway. delete it and move on. try re-formating and re-installing windows from scratch this time.

[DB83]

So what part of 'There is NOTHING in the report' do you not understand ?

Unless you get everything spoon-fed.........

[El Heggunte]

For the record: the Registry of Windows 7 is MUCH *picki-er* than the Registry of Vista and XP.
So, a minor/irrelevant error/imperfection in the Registry of XP or Vista can become a HUGE troublemaker when it happens on Windows 7.
As for the codec packs you mentioned --- well, some of their installers ARE *buggy*, and
may lead the OS to an unusable state,
depending on the conflicting Registry entries that already existed.

Been there, seen that.

[OJNSim]

bummer but it's only an illegal downloaded porno anyway. delete it and move on

It is actually
Assuming the file is not corrupted then if happen for one file - it will happen again
I prefer to fix the issue

It has nothing to do with imaging and reinstalling from scratch
Restoring an image IS from scratch, de facto. Same thing.

depending on the conflicting Registry entries that already existed.

This is actually a n idea
Will try to clean registry

tx

[DB83]

If you wanted to 'fix' this in a logical manner you would consider the following.

1. The video requires a codec. Get the codec. Don't know the codec. You have been told the codec. That IS the whole point of mediainfo.
2. Now I have the codec but I still can not play this sh*t even though any other similar sh*t (I assume you have others from the same source) play fine.
3. I'll now engage my brain for two seconds and realise that restoring an image (which could already have its fair share of registry sh*t) is NOT the same as installing a OS from scratch.
4. The vid still does not play. Guess then it is corrupted. Wonder how that happened ?