Before d/loading videos, check them with
Bitzi Web Lookup. It'll help you sort out the good ones. While on the Bitzi site, search for the file there and use the magnet link to start the d/load in limewire. Then search for it again in LW to help find some sources for the file.
Preview the file when it gets to 10-15% to check that it's what the title says and not mislabeled porn. Another way to preview files is by dragging them from your Incomplete Folder and dropping them onto another player. Try
VLC media player, it has the codecs built in and will play most file types.
There's a program called
GSpot that can tell you what codecs you need to play a particular file.
For WMP,
K-Litecode Codec Pack gets recommended a lot. I use
XP Codec Pack 2.0.6 and rarely have any trouble playing a file.
If your OS is Vista try:
Vista Codec Package v4.4.8 (freeware).
More info here:
CODECs list for Movies /Alternate players / Video help forums