I downloaded an avi movie file and tried to play it on my laptop using windows media player. I can hear the sound but it won't play the picture, how do I get it to play the picture as well as hearing the sound??

You need the codec to play the avi file

Download and install this file below, when installing, just accept all default settings it may offer. Once installed, you probably will have a new program group created when you click start and then move mouse up to programs, you will never have to worry about clicking on any of them.

Once nstalled you will have no problem viewing avi files

AVI Codec Pack - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com (http://www.download.com/AVI-Codec-Pack/3000-2169_4-10391962.html)