perhaps you need a special codec?
I know if you havent installed some codecs like divx/xvid (or other nice names)
o
it can cause some problems while playing, like sound hanging, or that screen flicker etc.
and as you are using different systems it could be that you have installed some codex on your xp machine...
Good luck!
Edit:
http://www.free-codecs.com/
perhaps you find here something suitable.