Codecs in 13.1

Here's the deal:I've used linux since the 80's.I really liked 12.1 but had an SLI video config based on the Nvidia 7600 chipset.At that time(using 12.1),I had numerous issues with video, display, configs, etc.However, I could get ALL my videos, audio,etc., to run nicely, everything.DVD's, avi's, mpg's mp3's, and so on.For 13.1, I removed one of the SLI cards as it was starting to malfunction, and my rig is ultra-stable-EVEN in Windoze!
NOW, however,I can't even play an H.264 file,barely can watch online videos and forget ANY a/v file, I've done everything twice to make my videos play, I can barely listen to mp3's.What gives.ALL the software works, packages work great, scripts run great sudo works now,everything EXCEPT videos!This is ****, can SOMEONE figure this out?It negates the ENTIRE purpose of open source if I can't author and play ANYTHING that's considered multimedia.I f'ing HATE MS Windoze, please, I don't want to use that virus/malware encrusted ****, please.I've installed EVERY codec I can find,used alternate yast packages, everything.
Can ANYONE address this?
Thanks.
Htos1

Asus M2N32-SLI WIFI AP(Nvidia MCP55 chipset)
Athlon64 x2
Corsair XMS2 DDR2 800(8gb)
BFG Tech PCIex video 256DDR vram(single card now)Nvidia 7600 OC GT chipset
SB Audigy sound connected to my Bang & Olufsen stereo
various Maxtor/Seagate/WD hard drives