Yes, from feedback I've received, converting files so that they can be used in Windows Movie Maker is a dilemma experienced by many. So, I decided to do some experimenting to find a solution for this frustrating situation.
Through my experimentation, I figured out a way to convert my .MOV files and import them into Windows Movie Maker. My final product for my experiment still had some flaws to sort out. However, the solution, although more time consuming than if the codec weren't an issue in the first place, actually worked.
First, I tried to import the video directly into Movie Maker, which proved unsuccessful, again calling for codec.
Next, I used Roxio Creator DE that we already had loaded on our machine. I figured, why not give it a try...at this point, what did I have to lose?
I clicked on "video" and selected the VCD format, clicked on "add new movie" and it took me to my directory, where I had already downloaded my .MOV files. I selected the files I wanted to download and let the software take its time to process them. Next, after playing around with the project settings and menu style settings, I created a disc. Yes, I had to burn the files to a disc. They were not formatted in any smooth way at this point; however, they were converted to a format that would work in Windows Movie Maker.
Following this process, I opened Windows Movie Maker, imported the movies and placed them where I wanted them, put the transitions and effects in, added music and photos, and took out the disk. This was before I published the movie. My files I had imported could not play...they could not be found without the disk. Once I put the disk back in, the data files could be found and I could play and recheck and edit the movie. Only once I officially "published" the movie did the files become a permanent part of the movie. I was able to transfer this to YouTube without a hitch.
The only problem I had was that I was fiddling with a movie I had made from a slideshow that I had put music behind and was re-doing it, attempting to replace the music. I couldn't figure out how to remove the original music so the overlap is kind of cheesy. However, it served the purpose and I was able to utilize some of the video I had originally prepared for that particular project in the process.
One lesson learned. Here is the final product for this lesson.
Sources:
Windows Movie Maker
Windows Vista
Roxio Creator DE
YouTube