Unable to download an appropriate decompressor. (Error=80040200)

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PKW - 30 Mar 2004 09:11 GMT

Hi

I have encountered this problem when I tried to open a .wvm file. Can you please advice? Thanks a million for your help

Best Regards
PKW

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Chris Lanier [MVP] - 30 Mar 2004 13:26 GMT

Error 80040200 or "Unable to download an appropriate decompressor/Error
downloading codec" will generally happen when playing an AVI encoded with a
third party (non-Microsoft) codec. Might doesn't keep these codec's on
there server's for WMP to download for you, so you have to go download and
install it.

So, for AVI's...
- Open mplayer2.exe (WMP 6.4) and try and play the file
OR/AND
- Download and use GSpot (http://tinyurl.com/328cp)
- Find out the 4CC code for the file codec (WMP 6.4 should give it to you
[XXXX]
- http://tinyurl.com/262go will help you.
(Or post the information back here and I can help)

This can also happen for other file types also. If you get it while trying
to view a Windows Media file, (WMV, WMA, Etc) it is likely you don't have
WMP set to download the codec's for you. To enable this feature goto
Tools>>Options>>Check "Download Codec's Automatically"

If you get it for an MPEG/MPG file it is very likely the MPEG/MPG is encoded
with MPEG-2 as opposed to MPEG-1. MPEG-2 isn't a free codec, so you will
need to purchase and MPEG-2/DVD decoder to view that media. (SVCD's are also
MPEG-2) http://tinyurl.com/2njf6 cover's decoder's and the licensing behind
them.

Signature

Chris Lanier
Microsoft MVP - Digital Media
---

> Hi,
>
> I have encountered this problem when I tried to open a .wvm file. Can you please advice? Thanks a million for your help.
>
> Best Regards,
> PKW

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lisa - 30 Mar 2004 19:06 GMT

Chris, i am having this problem with a wmv.file just like u said. i have windows 98se. the problem is occuring with a "fan club cdrom". the cdrom said that it would initially have to registered and that this would be automatic upon playing the first vidio clip. but when i play it i get the 80040200 error message. i tried what u advised, but do not have the enable codec option (that i can find). there is:tools--internet options--security, privacy....This is what i have tried: have temporarily lowered security and privicy options to low. Have typed the website into the allow cookies from these websites area. downloaded latest version of real player. Nothing worked. am at my wits end with this. thanks lf

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Chris Lanier [MVP] - 30 Mar 2004 20:36 GMT

Download Windows Media Player 9 Series and install it.
http://www.windowsmedia.com/download

Signature

Chris Lanier
Microsoft MVP - Digital Media
---

> Chris, i am having this problem with a wmv.file just like u said. i have windows 98se. the problem is occuring with a "fan club cdrom". the cdrom

said that it would initially have to registered and that this would be
automatic upon playing the first vidio clip. but when i play it i get the
80040200 error message. i tried what u advised, but do not have the enable
codec option (that i can find). there is:tools--internet options--security,
privacy....This is what i have tried: have temporarily lowered security and
privicy options to low. Have typed the website into the allow cookies from
these websites area. downloaded latest version of real player. Nothing
worked. am at my wits end with this. thanks lf

Reply to this Message