video fails in powerpoint presentation

[a video headache]

I posted this in xp video and thought you guys might be of help.

I have inserted a .mpg file in powerpoint on auto play and have done this
numerous times before. However, recently the video stops, without skipping
or blinking, and the audio continues without skipping. If i advance the next
slide comes up fine or if i go back the video starts over fine.

I have a one year old laptop, with latest video driver, one gig of ram and
xp sp2 on powerpoint 2003.

I've reduced acceleration one notch and it still happened. I cut off
wireless radio and it sometimes happens. I'm perplexed...any ideas?

 

[Echo S]

What if you reduce hardware acceleration more than one notch?

What codec does the video use?