.ASF and .AVI not playing in Windows Media Player (DVD, HDD, sounds)

[rebellious1]

Hey all, I have some videos that someone burnt on a disk that are in .ASF and .AVI formats. I know media player opens .avi files but for some reason it's not.

Both .avi and .asf files give me this message in Windows media player: "The player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file."

I have even tried FLV player but no go. I've tried using a converted to convert the files to MP4 but the converter comes up with an error that says "bad descriptor".

I've noticed these files were burnt as read only on the disk. Would this have something to do with it? It could have also been taken with a motion sensor camera.

[plwhit]

It sounds like the files are not what their extensions say they are.

The following assumes you are a Windows user...

Try this (simple method):

~ Go to a command shell "Start>Run(or search all files), type in cmd

~ At the command prompt change folder to wherever the .asf & .avi files are located...

Example: cd C:\pictures\friends

Look at the file contents using the more command

Example of using the more command (this is also known as dumping) against one of my .avi files:

C:\Users\peter\Dropbox>more be-200.avi
RIFF┤¢╗
AVI LIST~"

hdrlavih8

@£

Copy the first 10 lines and paste them here so we can take a look at them...

Try this (complex method):

~ Download Microsofts strings command and unzip it to the same folder you have these .asf & .avi files in.

~ Go to a command shell, click on Start>Run(or Search all files), type in cmd

~ Change folder to wherever the .asf & .avi files are located at the command prompt:

Example: cd C:\pictures\friends

~ Execute the strings command with one of the unknown files

Example of using the stings command against one of my .avi files:

C:\Users\peter\Dropbox\DTWallpaper>C:\Users\peter\ Dropbox\SysInternals\strings be-200.avi |more

Strings v2.51
Copyright (C) 1999-2013 Mark Russinovich
Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

RIFF
AVI LIST~"
hdrlavih8
LIST
strlstrh8
vidsdivx
strf(
DX50
JUNK
LIST
strlstrh8
auds
strf
JUNK
LIST
odmldmlh
JUNKf

Copy the first 10 lines and paste them here so we can take a look at them...

[McBain II]

Have you tried VLC Media Player?

[rebellious1]

These files are actually on a DVD and were burnt with the attribute of read-only. I cannot rename them or even move them. Why the hell they did that I don't know.

When I try to change to the directory in CMD, it won't allow me to. It doesn't do anything actually. Can you not browse a DVD drive in the cmd prompt? I'm also in an administrator account.

[rebellious1]

Originally Posted by Bosco55David

Have you tried VLC Media Player?

I meant to say VLC, sorry.

[Skunk Workz]

Originally Posted by rebellious1

These files are actually on a DVD and were burnt with the attribute of read-only. I cannot rename them or even move them. Why the hell they did that I don't know.

When I try to change to the directory in CMD, it won't allow me to. It doesn't do anything actually. Can you not browse a DVD drive in the cmd prompt? I'm also in an administrator account.

They are on a read only media, so they are read only.

You should be able to copy them to the HDD, and then change them.

[rebellious1]

Originally Posted by Skunk Workz

They are on a read only media, so they are read only.

You should be able to copy them to the HDD, and then change them.

What I thought to but I tried twice and it wouldn't let me. I'll try again now on a different computer and see what happens.

[rebellious1]

Originally Posted by Skunk Workz

They are on a read only media, so they are read only.

You should be able to copy them to the HDD, and then change them.

Gives me "Can't read from the source file or disk" when I try to transfer the files to hdd.

[harry chickpea]

Could be as simple as a bad burn of the files.

[rebellious1]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Could be as simple as a bad burn of the files.

That is what I'm starting to think. I should be able to open up the .AVI files with no problem. I shouldn't have to download any codecs for those.