I had a problem similar to this for quite a while, but since it did not
affect me too much I ignored it...  I did/didn't get an error message,
and some AVI files played fine and in others the video was VERY
corrupted and was not viewable.  First thing I checked was the file
properties and codecs used to compress the files. I noticed a pattern
in the codecs used that were not working.  After that I added some
codecs that were never noticed as missing by my Win95b system,
and that fixed it.  In MY case, I had to upgrade my Intel Video
Codecs. (Has nothing to do with my video card drivers.)
If your problem is similar, and is caused by the same thing, you
might want to check out, and or search the following "hints"
at Intel and Microsoft.
           Intel Indeo® Video 5  (as of April 1999)
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q133/3/65.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q142/7/31.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q178/1/23.asp
http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q142/9/46.asp
A summary of the above sources "might" be that your video
compression decoders (codecs), are either old, do not include the
"shiny new ones", or are corrupt.          Rick Glazier

From: Timchenko Maxim <[log in to unmask]>
> The first guess to answer to your problem is that you don't have the
> required codecs installed for AVI. (the codecs handle compression/
> decompression of the audio/video data in AVI files).

- Original Message -From: HARDIKAR <[log in to unmask]>
> > I am unable to play some of the AVI files, instead following error message
> > appears:
> > " MMSYSTEM296. The file can not be played on the specified MCI device. The
> > file is either corrupt or not in the correct format."

             PCSOFT maintains many useful files for download
                     visit our download web page at:
                     http://nospin.com/pc/files.html