Windows Media Player won't open from external hardrive

[jimpl]

 Windows Media Player (WMP) works fine if I am playing a dvd,cd ect. from my cd rom. It also works fine if I open a file that is stored on my computer such as in "My Documents" ect.
  I have video files stored on an external hardrive. When I double click on them I get this window that says:
      Windows Media Player
 To Use Windows Media Player,log off from windows,log back on,and then start Windows Media Player
     OK (button)
 
  I can minimize the screen, and open WMP, then re up the screen and it will play the files, but I have to do this every time!
 It's like there is no link from  the ext. drive to the WMP.
  The drive is a Free Agent Seagate Go with Ceedo on it. When you open Ceedo, there is a page that looks similar to the start menu in Windows. There is a shortcut icon for WMP listed there but it will not open. It just gets the same window described above.
  Any thoughts?

  I'm using:
  XP pro
  HP laptop
   Jim
     

[Broni]

Try VLC Player.

[jimpl]

 OK I will try that tomorrow although, I don't follow your thinking. The WMP works from the ext. hhd, but has to be opened "manually" first. It just won't start automatically.
  Thanks
  Jim

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Are you sure they are an appropriate format?

[jimpl]

 Yes. They are wmv-etc. In fact, it used to work. Something has changed. Maybe I could uninstall/reinstall?
  Jim

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Yes. They are wmv-etc. In fact, it used to work. Something has changed. Maybe I could uninstall/reinstall?
  Jim

No harm in doing so.

[jimpl]

 I fixed it!
 I did the re-install but discovered later that  can access the files directly from "My Computer". I don't need to run Ceedo.
   The WMP works perfectly!
  Well thanks again. Always good to know I can come here when I need help.
 Jim

[Broni]

Nice