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quick time 'this is not a movie file' error message

PLEASE HELP!

i've recently downloaded some movies off the internet (.avi files) and although all have originally opened and played in quicktime, i am now getting 'this is not a movie file' error messages for all of them. I've had this before and restarting the computer has usually helped - but not this time. I've also tried reinstalling quicktime, as well as installing divx (i get an error message saying this file cannot be opened). for some reason i can't install VLC (some message about not being able to mount).

I've also burnt the files to a cd and tried playing from there (Rather than my external hard drive) but still won't work. The files won't even open up a preview... i really don't understand what could have happened though - i've opened and played all of them when i first downloaded them and they worked just fine!

i'd appreciate any help.

cheers

mac book, Mac OS X (10.4.1)

Posted on Apr 19, 2009 8:14 AM

Reply
3 replies

Apr 19, 2009 10:16 AM in response to pomaus

Hi pomaus, and a warm welcome to the forums! 🙂

It sounds like something is missing or corrupted.

Try this first...

Safe Boot from the HD, (holding Shift key down at bootup), run Disk Utility in Applications>Utilities, then highlight your drive, click on Repair Permissions, reboot when complete, test again.

What state does that leave us in? Any changes at all?

Apr 19, 2009 10:04 PM in response to BDAqua

before i try this - i should say that these files are on my external hard drive. is this still the right thing to do? i've never done a 'safe boot' on a mac before. can you talk me through how to do it? just hold shift down while it is restarting?

could the files be corrupted if the harddrive was removed without ejecting it properly? it seems that all files after a certain date and time have been corrupted. this is the only reason i can think why this has happened.

thanks BDAqua

Apr 19, 2009 10:19 PM in response to pomaus

just hold shift down while it is restarting?


Yes, do that one first, since everything depends on that.

could the files be corrupted if the harddrive was removed without ejecting it properly?


Yes, then after the above, launch DU and repair the external drive.

Do feel free to ask if more questions arise... I'm only one of the helpers here, and they're a great bunch willing to help to the end! 🙂

quick time 'this is not a movie file' error message

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