what do I have to do to convert avi movies to play in windows media player? or don't I?

It's probably a Codecs problem. You could try a Real Media Player and Dump WMP. See Link below for Codecs and Alternitive Players.

Try an alternitive Media Player. See Link Below.

First try VLC Media Player to see if that makes a difference. See Link below

CODECs list for Movies/Alternate players / Video help forums/ video-mp3 fixers

This is how you set VLC Media as the default player.
Go to shared folder Outside of Limewire. Right click a file then Open With. Now choose VLC and place check where it says Always Open... then OK.
Hope this helps.

__________________
I Don't Suffer From Insanity, I Enjoy Every Minute of it