Windows media player has stopped playing my MPEG movies all of a sudden but will play AVI and WMV movies. I downloaded all updates and downloaded a new version of media player but to no avail. ANy Ideas?

Some other app has stolen then MPEG movies, or prehaps you need to download and install teh MPEG codec itself again.

how do i do that? also when i try and play them i get this message

Windows Media Player encountered a problem while playing the file. For additional assistance, click Web Help

i have done the web help to no avail

Codec Installation Packages for IT Professionals

there isnt one for xp tho or should i click a different one?

Try the windows 2000 one.

I'm having the same problem.

Just found this site.

Free-Codecs.com :: Guides : How to install Default Codecs in Windows XP and 2000

Forget that one - didn't work.

The windows 2000 won't run. Just installed the beta version of WMP 11 but still the same problem. It just crashes when you try to run a video.

It will be a codec problem, seems a corrupt one has managed to install. You could try searching for the K-Lite codec pack, it will install but may overwrite other codecs.

uninstall Media player and re install it, Might be a good option, saves messing about.

how do you uninstal it as i was told i couldnt do that as it was part of windows itself

START

CONTROL PANEL

ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS

ADD/REMOVE WINDOWS PROGRAMS (on the left hand side)

UNTICK WINDOWS MEDIA PLAYER

CLICK NEXT AND FOLLW PROMPTS.

THEN DOWNLOAD THE LATEST MEDIA PLAYER FROM MICROSOFT

Windows Media Player 11