How do I restore a missing codec?

[Homerz]

In the process of trying to get the Lame ACM MP3 audio codec to work on my system, I used the control panel applet for audio devices to remove the Fraunhofer MP3 codec. Now I want to get it back.

I have tried reinstalling everything I can think of to try to get this codec back, such as WMP9, DX9, and even WM Encoder 9, all to no avail.

Don't tell me this is yet another scenario where the only solution is a complete re-install of the OS.

FYI I had to turn off System Restore at one point, on the advice of Symantec, to deal with a Virus infection, so going back to a restore point is not an option.

The necessary files must be in one of the CAB files on the WinXP CD ... so how do I reinstall the Fraunhofer codec?

TIA,

 

[bcastner]

That particular Codec is not part of XP, but a commercial product.

Best to Google it, or try:

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/

 

[Homerz]

Well I bit the bullet and reinstalled XP (using "Repair" rather than a fresh copy).

To my *very* pleasant surprise, all went well.

Looking at the registry, I now see what went wrong.

At some point (presumably during the removal of the XP version of the Fhg MP3 codec (version 1.9) an entire branch of the registry got wiped out:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Software\Microsoft\Multimedia\Components\Installed\codec_fhg

And no amount of reinstalling seems to restore those keys - other than a full OS reinstall.

One thing that bugs me, apart from the obvious, is the number of people who tell me that the Fhg MP3 codec is *not* part of Windows, and redirect me to Fraunhofer's website.

Version 1.9 (crippled) *is* installed as part of the Windows install, and it was *that* version I was trying to restore.

So the moral of the story is, do not use the control panel to uninstall codecs on XP.

Lesson learned.

[H]omer