AVI files cause big headaches

[BarryC]

As long as I've been on the internet I've been able to view any type of movie file using the various players. I have the latest versions of Real Player, Windows Media Player, DivX player, GDivX player, Winamp, Quicktime Player, Zoom player, and the new VLC player.
Usually I can play almost any type of movie file with my Real Player or my Windows Media Player. I have the latest DivX codec and several others that I discovered that I needed.
But this past year or so I suddenly developed a big problem with AVI files. If I attempt to play one in Windows Media Player or Real Player, it will play fine till it gets to the end of the video clip, at which time the player will lock up. Also if I stop the clip and try to start it up again, the player locks up.
Also if I highlight an AVI file name in My computer or Windows Explorer, Explorer goes into error!
If I highlight an AVI filename in either one of my CD recording programs, they will go into error too.
What in the world could be causing this??? As I say, this is a new problem. It wasn't always this way.
To my knowledge my computer is virus-free and spyware-free. So that's not it. I'm at a loss.
Thanks,
Barry

[DoctorDoom]

Step 1: when the error occurs, copy the text of the error message and post it here.

[BarryC]

If I remember correctly, in the Windows and Real players, there is no error message, it just freezes up and won't work. In My Computer and my CD recording programs, I get a generic error message, something like, explorer.exe has generated errors and will be shut down. anything you were working on will be lost, or something like that.
If I lose Windows Explorer, I also lose have the items in my system tray. Then I would need to reboot for everything to go back to normal.

But I'll see if any other error messages come up next time it happens.