Playing video files freezes my computer. Please help me troubleshoot
this to avoid reinstalling windows.

Mat

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Clarification of Question by mat12500-ga on 14 Feb 2005 10:01 PST

Hardware: 
         Motherboard: P5AD2 Premium
         CPU: Pentium 3.6Ghz 
         Video Card: Poworcolor ATI X800XT
         Sound Card: Sound Blaster Live Value
         
Operating System: Windows XP Professional
         
Programs used to view the files: BSplayer, Windows Media Player, PowerDVD.

It would help the researchers if you listed your system specs
(hardware, operating system, etc.), and what program you are using to
view these files.

Have you tried these exact video files on another PC?  I had a similar
problem with video files but it turned out they were corrupt upon
trying them on a friend's PC.

it might be your ram. Your windows uses a part of ram so does your
programs try freeing up some memory by disableing some programs

Try something for me.  I want you to uninstall any codec-packs you
have on that system and any other codec?s such as DivX.

Then I want you to install FFDSHOW and let that do all of the
rendering for your video.  This is automatic; once it's installed it
will be your primary codec for all XVID/DivX/MPEG files.

You can download it here:
http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/codecs_and_filters/ffdshow.cfm

Also, you should uninstall your current video card drivers using
driver cleaner and install the latest version of your video card
drivers.

Driver Cleaner:
http://www.drivercleaner.net/

I do not know what video card you have, therefore I can not comment on
your drivers and or where to obtain the newest ones.

You can also try using a better program to play your video files, such as BSPlayer.
http://www.bsplayer.com

I also recommend you check your system for viruses and malware.

You can check your system for ad-ware/spy-ware for free using the following:

Spybot Search & Destroy:
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Ad-Aware:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

If you require a good anti-virus, I HIGHLY recommend you purchase a
copy of NOD32.  It hasn't failed a test yet in 7 years.

http://www.nod32.com

Also, you must de-fragment your computer monthly if not weekly to
maintain system performance.  You can either use the standard Windows
defragmenter, or you can opt to buy a professional program such as
"PerfectDisk".

PerfectDisk:
http://www.raxco.com/products/perfectdisk2k/

Regards,
ChaosBlizzard-ga
http://www.tech-bb.net