hello pals.....

how can i play mp3's and movies on my linux box.while trying to play mp3's(on my hard disk) using XMMS system hangs AND while trying to play movies using the mpg player the same happens.Also when i try to activate the sound server at startup with sound for events it hangs and the sound gets played as an infinite loop
(but sound never comes when trying to play mp3's). i tried reinstalling the OS for many times but it continues.But nothing happens when i play songs on CD's,it plays well(i use XMMS for this) .i use GNOME (RH 7.1).Any suggestions.......