Optical drive not playing DVDs

[mickapoo]

This is the first time I have ever tried to play a DVD so I cannot say it was working fine in the past.  These are movie DVDs, not DVDs burned from a computer. When I try to play one, it gives me an error message that I do not have a decoder.

When I go to Media Player, it tells me to go to Windows' website and it will search my pc and tell me if I have one. I did that, and it told me the decoder was already there. Yet, I still can't get it to play a DVD.

When I try to play the DVD using Real Player, it tells me that I need a decoder, directs me to the Real Player site, and then once there it tells me I do not have DVD software installed.

I have an HP Pavilion dv4000 with 1 gig of RAM running Windows XP Home.

If anyone can be of help, I would greatly appreciate it!

[guestolo]

Mickapoo, do you still need a hand here?
You need the correct codecs and/or a different media player

And/or, many times you get certain software, such as Cyberlink, Intersoft, etc...
That comes with your DVD player, that' what you want to use

Again, if you still have problems, post back

[mickapoo]

[quote name=\'guestolo\' post=\'444006\' date=\'Oct 3 2008, 09:46 PM\']Mickapoo, do you still need a hand here?
You need the correct codecs and/or a different media player

And/or, many times you get certain software, such as Cyberlink, Intersoft, etc...
That comes with your DVD player, that' what you want to use

Again, if you still have problems, post back[/quote]

Yes, I do still need help, thanks.

[guestolo]

I can direct you to the right codecs
Most likely

Would you like to try a different Media Player instead?
I really like this one, plays almost everything

[mickapoo]

[quote name=\'guestolo\' post=\'444008\' date=\'Oct 3 2008, 09:50 PM\']I can direct you to the right codecs
Most likely

Would you like to try a different Media Player instead?
I really like this one, plays almost everything[/quote]


I'll try it- there wasn't a link there- which one is it?

I need one that allows you to fast forward quickly and that shows the menu- I tried a freeware dvd player, and I can't remember the name, but I couldn't get it to display the menu.

[guestolo]

Not sure if this one has all the feature's you want, but you must check the Preferences
It will take a bit to get it set up the way you like it
But, I can't turn back after using it>>My preference

Try GOM player, I also like KLC, but go with GOM if you haven't tried
it

Link is http://www.gomlab.com/eng/
Click on Gom Media Player to the top right hand side

Take note: Gom MAY want to check for Updates on startup
Very easy to Uncheck that option in the Preferences, just do it manually
I suggest it as it doesn't update all that often, unless you want to beta test the product
Tell me what you think about it please

[mickapoo]

[quote name=\'guestolo\' post=\'444010\' date=\'Oct 3 2008, 10:01 PM\']Not sure if this one has all the feature's you want, but you must check the Preferences
It will take a bit to get it set up the way you like it
But, I can't turn back after using it>>My preference

Try GOM player, I also like KLC, but go with GOM if you haven't tried
it

Link is http://www.gomlab.com/eng/
Click on Gom Media Player to the top right hand side

Take note: Gom MAY want to check for Updates on startup
Very easy to Uncheck that option in the Preferences, just do it manually
I suggest it as it doesn't update all that often, unless you want to beta test the product
Tell me what you think about it please[/quote]


I've all but given up. Nothing will seem to play them. Regular cds and burned dvds work fine so I know it's not the drive itself. Thank you anyway.

[guestolo]

If this is the same computer your posting a Hijackthis for in the Tech Clinic section, why don't we stick with that topic for now
By the way, did you try GOM?
Just curious