problems with xvid/.avi files

Hey all. :D I recently downloaded a few Xvid/.avi files via BitTorrent to make icons. Except, well, NONE of the programs are working. Let me make a list...

WinDVD: Only has audio, no video
Winamp: Only has audio, no video
BSPlayer: Doesn't open
RealPlayer: Doesn't open
Windows Media Player: Only has audio, no video
Hypersnatch: Doesn't open
SnatchIt: Doesn't open
VirtualDub: Doesn't open

The only thing that has both audio AND video is DivX, and that doesn't let you screencap. I ran the Gspot Codec program to find out what codecs I needed for those files, but it said it couldn't find any. The girl who gave me the link on LJ to download those files made icons out of them, so they can't be corrupt. I'm pulling my hair out over here...I could even give you a list of the errors I recieve when I open them in different programs, if needed. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance :D