VOB and AVI won't playback

[bridgid]

Sorry if this is a repost, I searched and didn't find anything.

I downloaded and tried MP on my main PC to see if it would work and it plays everything but vobs. I then put it on my HTPC with a fresh install of XP Pro.
No divx, vob, or avi would playback out of the box only wmv.
When I click on my folder containing the DVD it goes to a black screen, I can't do anything with the mouse/keyboard but can press stop on the remote. If I click the movie again it asks if I would like to resume.
I installed PowerDVD and still nothing.
Installed Divx codec and divx now plays.
I changed the default codec to the powerDVD set still nothing.
I installed VLC and my vob will play in VLC if I open directory from VLC but it will not play with VLC set as the external player.
I ripped the vob myself using MyMovies (creates a folder with cover art and a sub video_ts folder containing vob ifo and bup files) don't know if this matters but the file won't play in Media Player either.

The avi files I click on and nothing happens at all - they do play in media player and VLC

My issue is now down to making two files play - avi and vob. The avi's will play on my main PC in MP so I am sure I am just missing some file on the HTPC, however I cannot get the vob file to play in MP on either box.

TV-Server Version: n/a
MediaPortal Version: 1.0.0.0
MediaPortal Skin: default
Windows Version: XP Pro
CPU Type: celeron dual core
HDD: 500WD / 120Seagate
Memory: 1gb
Motherboard:Zotac 630i
Video Card: MSI NX7300LE (Nivida)
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card: onboard
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card:
1. TV Card Type:
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
h.264 Video Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote: MCE v1
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection:

[bridgid]

well the fix to most issues seemed to be ffdshow so I installed that and avi files now play.

Any suggestions on vobs? they still dont work.