Problem Using Media Player.

Hi,
I am trying to run movie (*.dat) file (Stored on PC) using Windows Media Player. But once I start movie immediately after few seconds, movie haults. Even it haults the system, as a result I have to reboot system.
Please let me know how to overcome this problem.
Thanks in advance.
Vishram.

 

I play a lot of studio release VCDs on my PC. Sometimes, they don't behave correctly and need to be played on a stand alone machine. I'm assuming you are trying to view the files from a VCD that have been copied onto your hard drive.

The movies generally come on two discs. On the first disc, there may be more than one .dat file. On the first disc, and first disc only, when viewing through Windows Media Player, it requires that you execute the LAST .dat file on that disc. It is the last .dat file that has the actual movie. The other .dat files have other things, like the FBI warning, etc.

When switching between discs, I have to close Windows Media Player and reopen it. On the second disc, no matter how many .dat files there are, I just select the FIRST .dat file. It will atuomatically progress to the next.

I hope the principle of what is happening can help you with the files that are on your hard drive. If you have Power DVD, maybe you can see if that will play it!