When I try to play an .avi file in Windows media player, I get the video but no audio.  I try to play it in DivX, and I get a message that says

This File contains a track in the MPEG-1 Layer-3
Audio(mp3) (code "85") format.  You may need to
install a DirectShow decoder for this audio format in
order to hear the soundtrack of this file.

I seem to have lost my most basic of audio decoders.  Please HELP.  My wife and I would like to watch a movie tonight, but I cannot get any MP3 sound.Srry for the double post here.  I thought I should also add that I tried re-installing over my existing Windows Media Player (11) to try and fix the decoder, but that didn't work either.That sounds pretty weird.
The Windows MP3 decoder is actually a part of DirectX so you could try reinstalling it. You can download it here.

What version of Windows is this?


It's Windows XP Pro.  I'm gonna try re-installing DirectX.

**EDIT**
Ok.  I tried re-installing DirectX, but still nothing.  I try to play an mp3 music file with Windows Media Player and I get this:

Windows Media Player cannot play the file because there might be a problem with your sound or video device. Try installing an updated device driver.

I can try to install a new driver for my card but I need to know if it's just the sound card, or the video card, or both.

It seems to me that it's got nothing to do with my actual sound or video card, but rather it seems to be something software related, like a virus or spyware/malware.  I've been running an anti virus/spy/malware software that my internet service provider gives out.  It seemed to work fine for the longest TIME, not slowing down my computer or anything, and keeping my COMP safe.  But one day, it just stopped working when I tried to manually scan a file.  I henceforth deleted the file without opening it.  But I think that was the start of all my problems.  Now my comp runs slow as heck, where it was running quite fast before.  Someone please help me solve the issue with the sound first, then we can work on the rest please.Try and take a look in the device manager and see if your sound and video card are detected properly.
To get to device manager right click My Computer and select Properties.
Select the Hardware tab and press Device Manager.
Is there a yellow question mark or red X next to your sound card or video card?The answer is no.  and like I said.  there is no problem with my hardware.  I see video just fine, and I hear sound just fine.  I just can't play mp3 audio.DRIVERS can and do get corrupted from time to time...re-installing the drivers won't harm anything.
Theres also the POSSIBILITY that card has gone South on you all of a sudden.If you want, you can try using VLC, a free media player, instead of Windows Media Player.

To download VLC, go to this website.Well thanx for trying to help ppl.  I had a friend of mine fix my computer.  I don't know what he did, but it works now.  so thanx.  As for the VLC media player, I tried that, but it still didn't work.  But thanx for the help.Glad to hear your issue is resolved...thanx for letting us know.
And stop by anytime.