WinDVD will not work...

Question

I have never attempted to play a DVD from the CD-RW/DVD drive on my OptiPlex; I attempted to do so and received the following error: "Create overlay failed. Please lower your screen resolution or color depth and try again." I lowered my screen resolution so it is now High Color (16 bit) which did not resolve the problem. I backed off the Hardware Acceleration so it is about halfway between None and Full. This did not resolve the problem either.

Any ideas?

DELL-Chris M · Answer

kmnelson52,

Thanks for using Dell|Talk. I apologize for the issue.
* Click [Start] | Settings | Control Panel | Display
* Click the Appearance tab
* Look for Scheme, change to Windows Standard
* Click the Effects tab, the only one that gets a check is, "Show icons using all possible colors"
* Click the Settings tab
Colors = High Color 16bit
Screen Area = 800 by 600
* Click Advanced
* Under the General tab
Choose Small Fonts
Put a dot on, " Apply the new color settings without restarting"
* Click the Adapter tab
Change the Refresh Rate to 72Hertz or 75Hertz or the refresh rate printed on your monitor
* Click the Performance or Troubleshooting tab
Start with Full
* Click [Apply]| [OK]| [OK]
* Click Yes to restart
Try WinDVD.

oldindian · Answer

Regarding ChrisM (Dell Moderator) instructions for the fix of WinDVD, cannot create overlay etc., I followed instruction that were provided by ChrisM (Dell Moderator) and it did not resolve the problem. These particular machines (3) Dell OptiplexGX400's have Radeon VE display adapters with P4's. I have tried everything from installing WinDVD 4 to adjusting every configuration within the video adapter settings.

The original message came from kmnelson52 RE:WinDVD will not work.

Has anybody else been able to resolve this problem with WinDVD.

LadyPeorth · Answer

I'm having the same exact problem with WinDVD2000 on my laptop, an Inspiron 8000.  It works on my father's, though, an 8200.  I'm running 2k and he has XP.  Ever since I upgraded from ME it hasn't work; none of the Intervideo software does and my drivers all seem to be up to date.  Power DVD works but I don't really want to spend $50 when I already have a DVD program, but not being able to play dvds in my dvd drive seems like quite a waste, not to mention inconvenient.  Please post if you find a solution.

WA7MXZ · Answer

I am getting the same error when I try a DVD on my Dimension 8100. The settings presented by the Dell contact did not solve the problem.
The DVD player seems ok and the DVD I want to watch works fine on another Dimension 8100. New drivers did not help the problem nor did contacting Intervideo.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

To all desktop users,

It seems your all using the Samsung combo cdrw/dvd drive. I don't know if you all have the 8x or 16x.

* To set your Dell home page, go here:
https://support.dell.com/register.aspx
* If listed, click Home and Home Office
* Under "Alternative Sign In", type in your Service Tag number [press Enter]. Close the smaller popup box if it appears

8X Firmware update:
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=R24550

16X WinDVD update:
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/download.asp?fileid=R27379&format=29256

16X Firmware update:
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/index.asp?fileid=r36824

WA7MXZ · Answer

I am using a Samsung 8x Combo DVD/CW-RW. I tried the firmware patch and the WinDVD upgrade patch and I still get the same error. What next?

WA7MXZ · Answer

I tried the trial (14 day) PowerDVD from Cyberlink as another user suggested and it works just fine on the system. That eliminates the drive and drivers since the DVD looks fine with PowerDVD. I am not willing to pay $39.95 to buy PowerDVD since WinDVD came with the system and should work. What is the issue with WinDVD and the Dimension systems?

WA7MXZ · Answer

Found the answer, You can't run NetMeeting and WinDVD at the same time. Turn off NetMeeting and WinDVD run just fine.

aaronc87 · Answer

I have the same problem with my Dell Latitude C840. After upgrading to Windows XP from 2000. I have downloaded updates for the BIOS, Chipset, Video Card Bios, Video Card, Turned off Net Meeting, Turned off Remote Desktop Assistance, Ensured that all my graphics and color settings are appropriate, downloaded different versions of numerous DVD software, and even clean installed XP again. I spent an hour on the phone with Dell Technical Support have not received a resolve yet. I experienced this same problem with my compaq laptop but was able to download a patch that has resolved the problem and properly configured the LCD and the video card so that I have had no further problems. Doesn't Dell have a patch for their equipment that will resolve this problem. I have scoured the internet and the Dell site for a resolve to this and I have not received any answers to this point. I am in desperate need of using the DVD player, are there any answers out there at this point? And if not why aren't there?

thx166 · Answer

Do you have anything like net meeting installed, pc anywhere, etc?  If so, disable it and that should fix your problem.  If that doesn't work go to Start | Run | and type in dxdiag in the command box then click ok.  This will bring up a direct x diagnostics screen.  Check to see if you are running at least directx 8.0 and then go to the display tab and make sure that the direct draw and direct 3d is enabled.  Try that and see if it works.

aaronc87 · Answer

Ya I updated DirectX, Direct Draw, and Direct 3D already. I forgot to include that in the posting. And no Net Meeting is not running. Any other ideas?

thx166 · Answer

also try doing what is listed in this dell kb article FA1058193.  it couldn't hurt.

thx166 · Answer

try reinstalling the latest video driver and maybe reinstalling windvd.  not much else that can be done.  I will continue to look into this.

aaronc87 · Answer

I've reinstalled the video driver and WINDVD as well as Windows Media Player, nothing yet. Thanks for your help.

aaronc87 · Answer

I couldnt locate the article anywhere is that the right number

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WinDVD will not work...

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