Case of the disappearing MPEG-2

[fmctm1sw]

I used to play mpeg-2 files on WMP (version I don't know) all the time. Recently, I upgraded motherboard and cpu and reloaded win2k. I also "upgraded" to WMP (9 I think). BUT, now I can't play MPEG-2 files. There's no MPEG-2 support in WMP 9? I also can't remember where I downloaded the MPEG-2 codec last time. I know it had to be free or chances are, I wouldn't have it. Please advise......

[Vejita-sama]

None of the windows OS ship with a MPEG2 codec standard (only MPEG1 is supported). You need to install a MPEG2 codec. All of the software DVD players come with one. I Maxius use to have a link to a free MPEG2 codec but I don't see it on their site now.

IIRC if you d/load the PowerDVD trail verison and install it the program stops working after 14days but the codec is good forever.