Solved How to install or fix the OEM avi codecs?

[Rxx]

I installed a X-Fire not long ago because it has the ability to record a game while you play it and make a avi video. For some reason now, any video file I convert to avi format, will not play; In the Windows Media Player it will only play the sound. In my video converting programs, there is an error in opening it. (needless to say, I can't watch any of the videos I recorded in X-Fire.) Also, some games (like Warcraft III) will freeze instead of play the movies, making them unplayable.

I did a system restore, it didn't change anything. It even uninstalled X-Fire and it's codec, but the problem was still there. I installed it again.

So, how do I fix the codecs?

Here is a screen shot of the advanced system information under the video codecs tab:

 

[Rxx]

In Windows XP you can find your video codecs in the device manager. In there you can remove them. I imagine if I could do that, then Windows would automatically download them when I try to use them.
It seems the either took that out in Windows 7 or moved it. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[whs]

I would suggest you try to play your .avi files with VLC ( Download VLC Media Player 1.1.10 - FileHippo.com ). VLC has it's own set of Codecs. If your files play there, then you indeed have a windows codec problem. If they do not play there, the files themselves are corrupted.

 

[Rxx]

The files play in Quicktime and in the Divx player. So yes. There is something wrong with the files.

 

[whs]

Hmm, it looks like x-Fire corrupted your codecs. Uninstalling x-fire does not repair them. You may try to install the Shark codecs:

Shark007.net - Windows 7 Codecs - WMP12 Codecs
Shark007.net - Windows 7 x64 Codecs - WMP12 Codecs

 

[Rxx]

Alright I tried those Shark007 packs. They did give me more options to convert to, but the ending result was the same. It only played the sound in the Windows Media Player.

Just to make this clear: Any avi file that's not converted on my computer, will play fine.
I really really really don't want to have to use the recover DVD.
Could someone take a screen shot of how their advanced system information looks?

 

[Rxx]

Looks like I found the answer. The reason it still didn't work after I uninstalled X-Fire was because it didn't remove the X-Fire codec. I deleted it manually and now it's working again.

I guess that means my problem with movies in games is not connected.
Thanks for the help whs.

 

[whs]

Glad you got it sorted. Codec conflicts is very often the source of problems. Codecs are to be dealt with carefully ( Why Codec Packs Are Bad - How-To Geek Wiki ). However, the Shark codecs seem to be safe.