Windows Media Player - Server Execution Failed

I was trying to play an avi file and this error message came up : Server Execution Failed.

The file would play in winamp but not Windows Media Player.

Windows Media Player would not load at all

I tried to stop windows media player network sharing in services - It still would not load

Then went to "Turn Windows Features On Or Off ", Scrolled to media features, de-selected windows media player, rebooted. Back into:  "Turn Windows Features On Or Off" re-enabled media player to re-install it, but it still would not load.

Eventually I found FixWMP & fixwin - loaded fine

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-windows-media-player-with-fix-wmp-utility

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/repair-fix-windows-7-vista-problems-with-fixwin-utility