Windows Media Player Version 11 throws error C00D11B1 for some .AVI files and not for others

Just wondering?

I Windows Media Play Version 11 a real Microsoft Product?

I double click on an .AVI file and Windows Media Player starts.  It throws an error and displays an error window, that will not allow you to copy the contents of the error window.  In order to debug MS products I took my time to write down the error.  In the window it says:

"Windows Media Player has encountered a problem while playing the file.  For additional assistance, click Web Help."  Such profound enlightenment from this brilliant answer does nothing except frustrate me and waste my time.  Is Microsoft incapable of producing an error message that is specific, and can be understood by the average customer that spends $5,000/year on their on their software, or are they just too lazy?

So I like a fool click on "Web Help."  The screen I get has the follwoing:

You've encountered error message C00D11B1 while using Windows Media Player. The following information might help you troubleshoot the issue.

Cannot play the file

Windows Media Player cannot play the file. You might encounter this error message for one of the following reasons:

• Your sound device, such as a sound card or sound controller, requires an updated driver. To determine if an updated driver is available, see Windows Update at the Microsoft Web site, or see the sound device manufacturer's Web site.
• Your sound device is not functioning properly. Try using Device Manager to check the status of your sound device.

!\[\](http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/images/whplus.gif) To check the status of your sound device

• You do not have a sound device installed on your computer. Install a sound device, and then try to play the file again. For details, see your computer manufacturer's or sound device manufacturer's Web site.
• You are trying to play a file on the Internet and the server might be temporarily unavailable or there might be a network issue. Try again later.
• You are trying to play an MP3 file that contains compressed ID3 headers. The ID3 header is a portion of the file that stores the song's album information (for example, the song name, artist name, album name, and genre). This information is sometimes called a "tag." To fix the problem, make a copy of the file and then use a non-Microsoft ID3 tag editing program to remove or reset the file's ID3 headers. After you remove the ID3 headers, Windows Media Player should be able to play the MP3 file. Attempting to remove ID3 headers might damage the file and make it unplayable. Therefore, always make a copy of the file before you edit it. If this solution does not resolve the problem, the file might be corrupted

Over the next hour I spend my precious time ruling out every one of the suggestions provided by MS.  The problem clearly has nothing to do with any of the suggestions MS has listed here.

Some AVI files play just fine, others don't and MS Media Player throws an error.

I have plenty of hobbies.  In fact I just helped my teenage daughter wrap up a science fair project on fuel cells.  I find fuel cells fascinating.  I enjoy working with my daughter and learning about fuel cells.

I have no interest in learning anything about Microsoft as a company, the products, bug work arounds, and how to interpret the asinine error messages.  I've got more important things to do, and have not time for this nonsense. 

Since this version of Windows Media Player looks like it came out of Windows 3.1.1 is it possible I've got an old version that doesn't work?  Is it possible the version I have is corrupt?  Microsoft gives me no reassurance they have so much as a clue as to what is going on.  I certainly must be the only one with the problem.

How stupid of me not to have know better.  Shame on me for not wanting to study Microsoft internal workings, error message strategy, editing registries, and learning and working at the OS level.  Something stupid about me made me think buying this expensive software was actually going to work.

I would appreciate any suggestions, except, of course, stay off the User Community and don't come back?