Video problem

[Brakes on]

Three years ago I took some videos of a marriage using a webcam (the 'real' thing being u/s). They were stored in avi format on my hard disk. I watched some of them about a year ago and had no problems with either MS media player (I know, I know) or Nero Show Time.
I now wanted to see some of the footage again and: nothing, Neither media player nor Nero play anything, just a blank screen.
Does anybody of the experts assembled here know what may be wrong and what I could do to resolve the problem?
Any help appreciated.

Brakes

[Bushfiva]

You might try VLC, since it uses its own codecs, not the system's ones. If it works in VLC, you can check which codec it requires, and then ponder why it's got AWOL.

[Sprogget]

If that doesn't work, try G-spot codec appliance - google it. It will tell you everyhting about that video file & what you need to run it.

[Brakes on]

Thanks for your tips guys.
Will give it a try as soon as I get back from my extended weekend.

[Brakes on]

VLC did it! :)
I'll keep the GSpot URL in case I get another problem.
Thanks again guys, appreciate it very much.

Brakes