Windows MP timer problems and "Thumbs"
 

On the bottom of the WMP when you're playing a video there is a timer, something that shows how long it is until the end of the film you're playing. A little bar moves across the bottom of the screen showing you how long it is until the video ends. For about a week most of my new files (not any old ones) have been showing up as being very short files. In other words, a video that is 30 minutes long shows up as 2:03 or 1:52 etc. The video plays fine, but the timer plays as though it was really 2 minutes long and the bar reaches the end at 2 minutes while the video keeps playing. It seems the actual time of the video and the time that WMP thinks it is are not in sync. I've run several antivirus and spyware programs but they don't seem to be catching anything. This is happening with several different video files that are unrelated (different TV series, different hosts). All my settings on WMP appear to be normal and I haven't changed anything recently. What could it be?

Also, when I'm downloading files sometimes a file or two labeled "Thumbs" shows up in my shared section. I can't see them in my shared folder and don't know what programs they are. What are these?

Thanks for your help!

Just found a link that explained what those thumbs files were...I'll post it here for anyone else who was wondering. My first question about Windows Media Player still stands, I've just solved the Thumbs issue.

http://www.greece.k12.ny.us/taylor/tips/thumbs_db.htm

I don't have the solution, but I sometimes download files that have the same issue. I just use VLC player to play them. Timer has always been right on there even though not my favorite program. Aslo only have had problems with .mpg and .mpeg files. You can download it here and try for yourself.

http://videolan.org

Sleepless

Sometimes VLC also suffers from the timer problem Nikki complains of. However, my simple policy is that if I can get a picture and the correct sound then I have nothing to worry about.


UK Bob

Not worried ;)

Just an annoyance when you can't use the slider to go to preferred place. I often don't have time to watch a whole movie in one go or get interrupted. Offcourse there is a fast forward button but still...