Media Player Cannot Play .avi File Using Indeo 4.x Codec

When you try to play an audio-video interleave (.avi) file compressed with the Indeo 4.x codec, the file may be displayed incorrectly or not at all in the Media Player tool included with Windows 98. You may receive the following error message:

Note that ActiveMovie 2.0 can play the .avi file properly.

When you install Windows 98 on a blank hard disk or in an empty folder, a necessary driver entry may not be created in the System.ini file.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, and then click Run.
2. In the Open box, type sysedit (without quotation marks), and then click OK.
3. On the Window menu, click System.ini.
4. In the [drivers32] section of the System.ini file, add the following line:
   
   VIDC.IV41=ir41_32.ax
5. On the File menu, click Save.
6. On the File menu, click Exit.
7. Restart your computer.

The Indeo codec included with Windows 98 is both a Video for Windows codec and a DirectShow filter. As a filter, the file registers itself in the registry so that DirectShow can use it. Media Player is based on the older model, in which an entry is required in the System.ini file in order for Video for Windows to recognize the installed codec.

Windows Media Player Web Site

For additional information about Windows Media Player, see the following Microsoft Web-site:

Frequently Asked Questions about Windows Media Player (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/player/faq/default.mspx)