Codec Uninstall: Starting Fresh?

[Macanudo]

I am not sure how to ask the question or what kind of information I need to include in order for someone to answer my question.

I have a bad habit of installing codecs and other video software just to experiment with them. I fear that this curiosity has completely fried my video system.

I have an ASUS 880 capture card installed and each time I try to use the capture function any capture software I am attempting to use immediately crashes prior to fully starting. Not only that if I highlight an avi file(mpg files are ok) in explorer then explorer crashes. I am able to view avi files if I access them through a media player.


I recently installed DirectDVD and an update of ffdshow, so I assumed it had something to do with one of these programs, so I uninstalled them with no change. I am assuming it is some codec, setting, or filter associated with DirectDVD or FFDSHOW that remains on the system after uninstalling, but have no idea. I have tried installing and uninstalling FFDSHOW, DirectDVD, PowerVCR and several other capture products and can't seem to isolate the problem.

Here are the codec errors that GSPOT lists:
http://img35.exs.cx/img35/9430/GSPOTErrorReports.jpg

Anyone have any ideas. I am at my wit's end.
Is there anyway to uninstall all codecs and video filters and start from scratch?
Any help would be appreciated.

Hopelessly Frustrated,
Macanudo

[Doobie]

Originally posted by Macanudo I have a bad habit of installing codecs and other video software just to experiment with them. I fear that this curiosity has completely fried my video system.

I have the same habit. Back in the Windows 98 days, I'd re-install the whole operating system about once per month (in a separate directory and eventually deleting the earlier OS directory, making the operation fairly painless). Windows XP has been a real trooper, almost Linuxian in quality. Still, if you think your system is really cluttered, or acting weird, there's nothing like starting with a fresh install of the OS.

At this point, I can just delete the directories in the Program Files directory of anything I don't want with the new install.

Any software I might need to re-install, the installation files are kept in a directory.

[Macanudo]

Originally posted by Doobie
I have the same habit. Back in the Windows 98 days, I'd re-install the whole operating system about once per month (in a separate directory and eventually deleting the earlier OS directory, making the operation fairly painless). Windows XP has been a real trooper, almost Linuxian in quality. Still, if you think your system is really cluttered, or acting weird, there's nothing like starting with a fresh install of the OS.

At this point, I can just delete the directories in the Program Files directory of anything I don't want with the new install.

Any software I might need to re-install, the installation files are kept in a directory.

I appreciate the response. I had thought of a reinstalling Windows, but I was hoping to avoid doing it. With the exception of this problem, I have everything installed and configured the way I like it, and really don't want to go through a Windows re-install. I know, sometimes it is unavoidable, but I was hoping for a more painless solution. Alas, I will probably end up taking your advice.

Thanks Again,
Macanudo

[DAvenger]

RadLight Filter Manager could help :)