when i try to play a downloaded video through my quicktime player i get a message saying that "a software component needed by the movie cannot be found." what does this mean and what do i have to do to make it work?

First try to upgrade quicktime, see if hat does it. Also go to www.3ivx.com . Download and install their codec for quicktime. I can open many windows formats that were not possible before.

There's no easy answer, so you'll be lucky to get much help. The link above is one of the best, but if it doesn't work . . .

good luck getting the movies to play. Until a clear winner emerges, the video codec war means headaches. Players have to have the required compressor/decompressor ("codec") used to make the movie.

Here's a Quicktime link that will allow you to play some movies:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=30506
This also points out that some movies will play in OS9, but not OSX, and vice versa. Joy, eh?

search the forums for "software component could not be found"--lots of complaining can be found, as well as a few solutions for some movies.

As others have pointed out, search the net for "vlc" --this awkward little app plays most movies--even the mangled and partial ones that end up in your Limewire incomplete folder.

Do us all a favour: if you find a comprehensive solution, post it here.