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Computer Video Player Keeps Crashing

Michael Jewels

Michael Jewels

Supporting Member
Nov 29, 2000
11,453
9,890
Queens, N.Y.(Near JFK Airport)
#1
Hello, all.

A few weeks ago, my computer died; one day it just would not turn on.

I brought it to a local repair shop; it's a guy who does pretty good work at reasonable prices.

After he checks it out, he said the motherboard, and a few other things were gone, and he could give me one of the units he makes in his shop, for a decent price, and that it would perform like new, and it has, except for one thing: the video player he installed, VLC Media Player crashes if I try to watch a movie.

This is what happens:

1.) I load the DVD in the drawer.
2.) It shows me the main page.
3.) I start playing the movie, and then after 5 to 18 minutes, the video freezes, but the sound continues on for a few moments.

Then it crashes, and the computer reboots.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what's going on, and what I can do to try and fix this without bringing the unit back to the shop?

Also, the screen saver is crashing the same way after a few moments.

Does the screen saver run off the media player as well?

Any ideas and suggestions are appreciated.

Mike
P.S. Videos at youtube and other sites are playing fine.
 
#2
More info would help. OS and specs.
VLC can be a bit funny at times, if you don't have all the right codecs installed. :hmm:
It could also be a problem with optical drive drivers, or a hardware issue. It could be an issue with the GPU or CPU overheating. I have a couple of gadgets installed that tell me what the CPU temp is and how hard it's working, and another for the GPU.

Check all connections on the mobo as well, just to be sure they're seated properly. (Power down and unplug of course, and ground yourself on the case first.) I've seen brand new, off the shelf units act up right out of the box. Checked all connections and have it boot right up and be fine.
 
#4
Ayce said:
More info would help. OS and specs.
VLC can be a bit funny at times, if you don't have all the right codecs installed. :hmm:
It could also be a problem with optical drive drivers, or a hardware issue. It could be an issue with the GPU or CPU overheating. I have a couple of gadgets installed that tell me what the CPU temp is and how hard it's working, and another for the GPU.

Check all connections on the mobo as well, just to be sure they're seated properly. (Power down and unplug of course, and ground yourself on the case first.) I've seen brand new, off the shelf units act up right out of the box. Checked all connections and have it boot right up and be fine.
Click to expand...

I'm not well versed in computer repair, but I know a little.

I don't think it's overheating, as this new unit has two fans as opposed to the one fan my old unit had, and I can hear them turning pretty fast.

I may try checking all the connections, but this unit also has windows media player installed, but it says it can't play the DVD because a compatible DVD decoder is not installed on your computer.

This would something like Roxio, correct?

If I bought and installed Roxio, do you think this might work?

Mike
 
#5
This is weird: As soon as I finished writing my response above, I figured I'd try to watch a movie to see if the video player is still messing up.

I click on VLC Media Player, and it tells me that an newer version is available, and this version doesn't have many of the bugs the first version had.

I don't remember the exact words. but that was the gist of the message.

So, I downloaded it, and it's doing the exact same thing.

No change. :bawl:

I really don't want to take this back to the shop.

Mike
 
#6
Download XVID codec pack and install it. If player still craps out, uninstall VLC and just use windows media player or realplayer. Or you could obtain a copy of WinDVD or PowerDVD. Another option is BlazeVideo.

The codec pack will make sure you have the right decoders on your system for pretty much the majority of your video media types. The player change is just in case it's VLC player itself. If the problem still persists, ask the person who sold it to you to take a look at it. Though most chances are it's something really simple and it won't need to go in.
 
#8
Auzzie-Phoenix said:
Download XVID codec pack and install it. If player still craps out, uninstall VLC and just use windows media player or realplayer. Or you could obtain a copy of WinDVD or PowerDVD. Another option is BlazeVideo.

The codec pack will make sure you have the right decoders on your system for pretty much the majority of your video media types. The player change is just in case it's VLC player itself. If the problem still persists, ask the person who sold it to you to take a look at it. Though most chances are it's something really simple and it won't need to go in.
Click to expand...

I will look into this, Auzzie-Phoenix; sounds like good advice.

And I want to thank everyone who offered to help: Ayce, droo46, Chunk-O-Funk, and you, Auzzie-Phoenix.

I really do appreciate it, guys. :)

I am going to wait a little, though.

This isn't the biggest issue in the world.

The computer is working very well otherwise.

It is annoying, though, and sometimes I think it's better to put something that's not top priority on the back burner until it doesn't annoy you, this way you can tackle it with a clear head.

I will keep all of you posted, and again, I really do appreciate all your advice.

Thanks.

Mike ;)
 
#9
Just out of curiousity, do you play games and if so are you having the same issue with games? The the video stops and the sound keeps going that sounds to me like your GPU is getting too hot. (worst case). On the other hand the guy who set up the PC for you may not have installed the correct video drivers for you. Or at least the most up to date. I would suggest that if your PC is using an onboard video card go into your BIOS and allocate it some more memory if you can. And then update the drivers. If it an actual video card re-install the drivers, install microsoft .net framework 4 and make sure none ofthe fans are bunged up. Now... I now this probably sounds pretty techy, but I can help you via PM if you run into trouble. Good luck.
 
#11
Spencerthegreat said:
Just out of curiousity, do you play games and if so are you having the same issue with games? The the video stops and the sound keeps going that sounds to me like your GPU is getting too hot. (worst case). On the other hand the guy who set up the PC for you may not have installed the correct video drivers for you. Or at least the most up to date. I would suggest that if your PC is using an onboard video card go into your BIOS and allocate it some more memory if you can. And then update the drivers. If it an actual video card re-install the drivers, install microsoft .net framework 4 and make sure none ofthe fans are bunged up. Now... I now this probably sounds pretty techy, but I can help you via PM if you run into trouble. Good luck.
Click to expand...

No, I don't play any games on my computer.

I appreciate your advice, but I honestly don't know what a BIOS is, or most of the other things you mentioned. I am mechanically inclined, but I never attempt to fix anything I have absolutely no experience with.

Since my last post, I called the guy at the shop and told him what the problem was.

His advice was to try a different video player; he recommended BS video player. What a name. :D

He told me I can download it free from the net.

Does anyone have any experience with this player or are there any others you can recommend?

Now I don't know if I should download BS, or take Auzzie-Phoenix' acvice about dowloading XVID codec pack.

The tech also said I can bring the machine in and he can check it out, but I only want to do this as a last resort.

Again, thanks for the advice, Spencerthegreat, but it's over my head. ;)

Mike
 
#12
Update.

Since my last post, here's what I did:

1.) I uploaded www.Bsplayer.com
It looked pretty nice, and it comes with a nice toolbar and browser, but the free version will not play DVDs.

Only the pay-for version will, So I have to decide if I want to get that one.

2.) Since BS failed me for the moment, I downloaded the Xvid codec. It's in my system right now, but so far it doesn't recognize Media Player or anything else.

Is there a way I can get these two married?

Something else just occurred to me: This problem arises from trying to play old DVD movies. If I bought these movies again in digital form, would this solve the problem?

I always used to burn photos I wanted to print on a CD, but sometimes when I would try to print them at the local Duane Reade, the CD drive wouldn't be working. Since I started using flash drives, I've never had this problem.

Any advice appreciated.

Mike
 
#15
Chunk-O-Funk said:
I think your answer is in winamp. It's free and should eliminate any software problems.

Your old DVDs. Are they copied or converted? If so, that may be your problem. They are in a digital format, BTW. If a regular DVD works and those don't you have your answer.
Click to expand...

The DVDs are store bought, all about 10 years old. None of them are Blu ray. They are all from the original movie companies, and in official boxes.

If I download winamp, should I remove the Xvid program to avoid conflicts?

Thanks.

Mike
 
#16
Michael Jewels said:
The DVDs are store bought, all about 10 years old. None of them are Blu ray. They are all from the original movie companies, and in official boxes.

If I download winamp, should I remove the Xvid program to avoid conflicts?

Thanks.

Mike
Click to expand...

Those DVD's should work.

You shouldn't have too, but it's not a bad idea. It didn't work for you, right.

Winamp should have everything you need. If that doesn't work you have other problems.



EDIT


Other problems:
Heat, some one already mentioned that. It makes sense to me. It's basic but overlooked maintenance to remove dust from your computer. There is a fan on the heatsink fer the processor. There is a fan (usually) for the video. There are case fan(s). They all pull in dust and will make any computer heat up. When things get to hot they don't work right.
 
#17
Since your screen saver is crashing also, I'd say there's a RAM issue. How much do you have, both on the motherboard and on the video card? You likely need to get more for both.
 
#19
Chunk-O-Funk said:
Those DVD's should work.

You shouldn't have too, but it's not a bad idea. It didn't work for you, right.

Winamp should have everything you need. If that doesn't work you have other problems.



EDIT


Other problems:
Heat, some one already mentioned that. It makes sense to me. It's basic but overlooked maintenance to remove dust from your computer. There is a fan on the heatsink fer the processor. There is a fan (usually) for the video. There are case fan(s). They all pull in dust and will make any computer heat up. When things get to hot they don't work right.
Click to expand...

Chunk, I don't think it's a heat issue, as this computer is brand new. I can feel through the case that this unit is running cooler than my old unit. Again, I'm no expert, but it does feel cooler to the touch.

This unit also weighs a lot less than my old unit.

Mike
 
#20
MonetBass said:
Since your screen saver is crashing also, I'd say there's a RAM issue. How much do you have, both on the motherboard and on the video card? You likely need to get more for both.
Click to expand...

I don't know how much RAM is on anything.

How can I tell?

As I've said, this unit is brand new, and working perfectly except for this video player crashing issue.

Mike
 

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