Tech Support: Media freezes PC

[s1138]

help...

everytime i open a audio or video file, my computer will freeze. it wont happen right away sometimes, but it always happens eventually.
no matter what program i open the file in, my computer still freezes. does anyone know what the problem could be?

im running XP pro.

[eleet-2k2]

mmm...good newb-mockery, but seeing as how this is real, i'm sorry for mocking you myself.

[ertmann|CPH]

31337-2k2: what!?

it's probably a problem with directshow or something - maybe try and see if there's a newer version of DirectX you can install!?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en&categoryid=2

otherwise i'm blank

[griffinn]

Did it start happening right after you upgraded a display driver? If so, try downgrading.

Are any error messages triggered, or does the computer just grind to a halt with no warning?

[Starbucks]

Did this happen recently? Also, have you done anything or changed your hardware or software?

[s1138]

it just started happening recently...but i havent installed anything recently.

it just halts, no warning or anything.

[xzxzzx]

Are you using a specific program, or just any time you play sound for long periods? Tried updating DirectX?

[Atmo]

System specs?

Too much guesswork otherwise.

[UpperKEES]

Do you hear your windows sounds (if enabled) when you start or close windows?

UK

[anubis2003]

Like Atmo said - we need some specifics. It could be a lot of things - both hardware and software.