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1. Re: System in knots
Colin Brougham Oct 8, 2010 5:57 AM (in response to rickg1949)Any thoughts, short of going to Walmart for a greeter job?
Well, let's not go to extremes, please!
I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm pretty sure you're still being haunted by the K-lite virus codec package. What happens when you install one of those packages--since they are immense cob-jobs of codecs, splitters, and other garbage that 99.999999% of the population never needs--is that your Windows registry gets pretty effectively nuked. File associations get all out of whack, and certain decoders get assigned a different merit--basically, they get priority in decoding a file. When you uninstall something like K-lite, you probably remove most of the binary files (codecs and such), but you haven't effectively cleaned out all the detritus left behind in the registry, and therefore your system is looking for things that aren't there. A trustworthy software package and uninstaller will remove most if not all of those dead ends and put your system back the way it was, but since K-lite and other similar "conveniences" are slapped-together-kitchen-sink-what-does-this-do-I-don't-know-but-it-looks-cool-so-let's-p ut-it-in-there, you're pretty much guaranteed to never get rid of it. See why these codec packs are so bad?
Sadly, the only real recourse you have here is to take your system down to zero--that means reinstalling Windows and all your applications all over again. I know this is not a terribly exciting proposition, but I don't think you're going to find another way, particularly since your system is so indeliably polluted now. I can tell you from experience that the ONE time I made the mistake of installing a codec package (although it wasn't totally my fault--Sorenson Squeeze thinks it's a good idea to install ffdshow for "format support"), the only way I could salvage my system was a fresh install of Windows.
But seriously... anything but Walmart!
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2. Re: System in knots
rickg1949 Oct 8, 2010 6:08 AM (in response to Colin Brougham)Colin,
I was prepared for that diagnosis. I agree that is where the problem must lie. That ffdshow CODEC looked like an accident waiting to happen. Even Win Media Player seems to have lost most of its playback functionality (no mpeg) although DVD player still works. Installed a Windows recommended Roxio mpeg player to see if it would resupply the missing CODECs last night with no joy.
So I guess I know where I'll be spending the weekend! Thanks for your support. rg (maybe Micky-D's??? love to cook!)
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3. Re: System in knots
Colin Brougham Oct 8, 2010 6:42 AM (in response to rickg1949)Even Win Media Player seems to have lost most of its playback functionality (no mpeg) although DVD player still works. Installed a Windows recommended Roxio mpeg player to see if it would resupply the missing CODECs last night with no joy.
That's a pretty strong indicator that you've got system-level issues to deal with. When something so closely tied to the operating system as WMP fails to work correctly (well, OK--fails to do what is within even its meager capabilities), you know you've got some nefarious forces at work. The only way to expel these imps is to enjoy a fun-filled day of backing up, wiping the drive, and reinstalling everything.
At least you're keeping a good sense of humor about you! Be sure to pepper in a couple colorful, creative words as you work--it will make the time go modestly faster. If nothing else, you're reaffirmed that the best lessons are the hardest ones learned, and now you can join the elite ranks of those who pounce like wildcats when the mere mention of "codec packs" is uttered here.
That which doesn't kill us, only makes us crazier... good luck with the rebuild!
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4. Re: System in knots
rickg1949 Oct 8, 2010 6:53 AM (in response to Colin Brougham)Thanks!!
Hey, quick, basic question: can I skip the Adobe uninstall step (just "deactivate" the Suite) and will the Vista clean install sweep everything off the c: drive? that'll save me an hour or so.
%&###@** *&^#%^
Thanks, rg
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5. Re: System in knots
Colin Brougham Oct 8, 2010 7:01 AM (in response to rickg1949)Yep, just deactivate. It won't matter if you uninstall CS5--or anything else, for that matter--since you're basically wiping the blackboard clean and starting all over. If you have any other software that has online activation schemes, be sure to deactivate those, too.
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6. Re: System in knots
rickg1949 Oct 9, 2010 8:37 AM (in response to rickg1949)Well, I have totally clean system now after 18 hours of cleansing. Problem is I'm back to square one with the "no MPEG previewing in either Bridge or even Windows Media Player. Premiere seems back to normal, all video (HDV) displayed while logging.
Can anyone from Adobe HQ offer any help on getting HDV footage, captured using Premiere to play in Bridge?????? Please?? (I know, the Bridge Forum, posting this there too.)
Come on, this is amazing to have to put up with after my annual $1,000 pledge to the Adobe Mother Church. I am such an advocate of the product line but this is like driving the Indy 500 with a front wheel locked up.
Help me, please, Adobe.
rg

