Member Avatar for germeten

I use Win98SE and began having problems after downloading a
particular video and/or installing ACE Mega Codecs. Have removed
as much as I could find, rolled back WMP9 at least a dozen times,
reinstalled OS at least 3 times, run all the freeware registry cleaners, antivir and spyware programs.

Any media player simply freezes when trying to play a video file, which
includes WMP9, Media-PlayerClassic/RealAlt., Quicktime and a few other
freeware players. Is probably a script or conflict from the Ace codecs.
Found zero help at the msn forums whose only advice is upgrade to XP.
A freeware video debugger would be helpful.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by goldeagle2005

Dani AI

Generated

Multiple players freezing on the same machine usually means the problem is at the system level (DirectShow/VfW filters, video driver, or a leftover DLL), not in one application. has already done a lot of work; and pointed toward system-level checks. Below is a concise, practical diagnostic path that isolates the failing component and gives concrete cleanup steps.

  1. Isolate hardware vs. filters
  • Temporarily reduce or disable video hardware acceleration (Display properties → Settings → Advanced → Troubleshoot) or switch to the generic VGA driver. If playback stops freezing, the video driver or acceleration setting is the culprit.
  • Boot to Safe Mode and try playing a file; if it works in Safe Mode the problem is a third‑party filter/extension.
  1. Identify the bad filter
  • Use a DirectShow graph tool (GraphEdit / DirectShow tools) to render the file and see which filter fails. The official DirectShow docs explain the approach and how a graph reveals a failing filter: DirectShow (Microsoft Docs).
  • Once you have the problematic filter DLL/AX name, unregister it before deleting: 
    regsvr32 /u c:\path\to\badfilter.ax

    Documentation for regsvr32 is here: regsvr32 (Microsoft Docs).

  1. Cleanup and restore
  • If you cannot identify the DLL, use a codec-info tool (for older systems a standalone identifier like MediaInfo/GSpot helps) to see which codecs the file needs: MediaInfo.
  • After unregistering/removing bad filters, reinstall only the specific, trusted decoders you need (avoid “mega” packs). Reinstall the correct Win98 video driver and test with minimal acceleration.
  • If problems persist after a truly clean, formatted reinstall (not just an upgrade), keep a backup of the registry before editing and consider using autorun/startup tools to disable non‑Microsoft shell extensions.

Caution: editing or removing registered filters affects all players. Back up the registry and system files before unregistering or deleting DLLs.

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Member Avatar for caperjack

first if you reloaded windows 3 times why would be worried about viruses and stuff ,or are you not doing a clean reinstall ,just off the top of my head .did you upgrade directx after you reinstalled windows .
Directx upgrade .
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.mspx

Member Avatar for goldeagle2005

Tell me. When the Media Players freeze, does it remain frozen till you reboot, or do you get control of the system after sometime. Also, when the MP freezes, can you launch other apps?

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