windows vista, wmp version 11.0.6.....

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316992

states that version 11 supports .avi .... but when I try to play one, (can do it on another pc), it gives error: windows media player cannot play the file blah blah may need code ....

looking in tools -> options, there shoud be file type tab but I don't have one WTF???? (I hate it when a microsoft product installed does not behave as documented on windows website .... ).

so looks like a code is required ..... I did down load from link on microsoft but this ended up installing 3 other packages - thanks a lot as I did not request that and did not solve the problem ggrr......................


... so the sturggle continues .....

any advice other than hit laptop with large pointy object or install product XYZ instead to speed up resolving this much appreciated.

[Edited on 26/5/14 by 02GF74]

Easiest way is to install VLC player.

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.en_GB.html

Your issue is that laptop doesnt have the correct CODEC to play the file, if you want to investigate futher!

as above vlc player plays near enough everything

thanks for replies on a miserable and wet bh monday.

resolved it - in one way it is obvious but until you know how, not so.

basically the video files are cctv files (swann system) that were converted to .avi.

I downloaded the conversion program and can only guess that this installs the codec since WMP can now read the files.