A problem with codecs - again.

Some time ago I posted that I had a problem - every time I open a particular folder Explorer stops responding and I have to go into Task Manager to close it. This folder contains an assortment of short movies (mov, mpeg, avi, wmv, mpg). The resolution was to down load "Codec Tweak Tool" and that worked initially. Now and again I would have a problem but running the tool would fix it. However, the problem has now come back and running the tool will not fix it.

I have attached the error messages and the log file from when I run the tool.

When I run the tool I just select the highest elements in each tree and let the rest default. Are there any other items I should ensure are selected?

If I need to remove all the codecs can you please provide detailed instructions on how to identify and remove them.

Your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Glyn

My suggestion would be to remove "all" codecs. How to do this is here .

Then I'd suggest you get the K-Lite 'Mega' codec pack from this site .

This codec will install all you should need for what you want and more. Such as,if you want to play flash video files '.Flv',it installs and uses the ol' media player classic to play them. If you have problems it also has an uninstaller that will remove it all...

Hi Ridgerunr,

I went to the first link and my XP SP3 does not have a "Windows Setup" or "Multimedia" tab under "Add or Remove Programs". So I went into the closest I could find "Add Remove Windows Components". However, I could not find anything in there that looked like the instructions so I looked for instructions on the internet. I found some instructions that took me to ControlPanel/System/Hardware/Device Manager/Sound, video and game controlers/video codecs. There were three codecs here that I removed and then installed the software from your second link.

Unfortunately, no improvement.

Regards,

Glyn

off the top of my head Im wondering if the folder is set to view as thumbnails and windows is trying to load an image for each file with a corrupt codec and thus getting bogged down.
Try installing CCCP (Combined Community Codec Pack) codecs and see it it helps http://www.cccp-project.net/

Hi 104456,

You were correct about the folder being set to view as thumbnails and windows trying to load an image for each file with a corrupt codec and thus getting bogged down. I selected the foldew and then properties. I then got the error message. However, it does not freeze until I acknowledge the error message. So I was able to reset the properties from video folder to general. Went thrrough the usual routine of WTM to end task and the next time I went into the folder it did not give an error until I selected a file. I then installed your codec pack. However, this had no effect.

I copied a file to another PC and it worked perfectly.

So I still have a problem!

Regards,

Glyn

Im wondering if its an issue with the thumbnail cache Im sure there was a way to rebuild it with the MS tweakui tool.

EDIT Try disabling thumbnail cache and see it it helps
http://www.tunexp.com/tips/work_with...umbnail_cache/

Quote:

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Click on "CONTROL PANEL" from the Start Menu.
Click on "FOLDER OPTIONS" in the Control Panel.
Click the view tab
Finally - tick the "DO NOT CACHE THUMBNAILS" box and then click APPLY.

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Hi 104456,

I followed your directions and even rebooted. No joy. While I can go into the folder Explorer still freezes when I select some files, single click to select not double click to open. Some wmv files are OK, all avi cause the problem and all mov are OK.

I am thinking it may be best to go back to the original plan and remove all codecs. Can anyone give me instructions on how to achieve this?

Regards,

Glyn

Try binding the relavent avi files to a different program i.e. if they are set to open in VLC then pair them [open with/always open with this program] with Windows media player and see if it makes a difference.

There is an old program called codec sniper which may or may not work in your case.It shows all codecs installed on a system and alows theri removal.The other option is the Microsoft way
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/142731

Quote:

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Removing a Specific Codec or MCI Device
To remove a specific codec or MCI device, follow these steps: 1. In Control Panel, double-click Multimedia.
2. Click the Advanced or the Devices tab.
3. To remove an audio codec, double-click Audio Compression Codecs, double-click the codec you want to remove, and then click Remove.
4. To remove a video codec, double-click Video Compression Codecs, double-click the codec you want to remove, and then click Remove.
5. To remove an MCI device, double-click Media Control Devices, double- click the device you want to remove, and then click Remove.

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Hi 104456,

I should have said I tried that. They were bound to Windows Media Player so I bound them to Media Player Classic.

Regards,

Glyn

Another removal program is DXman

Quote:

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DXMan allows you to add or remove video and audio codecs and plugins. Find out almost any piece of information related to a codec/plugin, from it's Class ID, to it's input and output pins, to it's filename and path, even it's properties page!

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Hi 104456,

I down loaded DXMan and it warned not to delete anything unless you knew what you were doing. Well, I don't! So could you, or any one else out there, have a look at the attached list of codecs, as found by DXMan, and let me know which ones I should delete defore rerunning K-Lite and CCCP.

Thanks,

Glyn