Oops, almost forgot to mention the laptop, a Latitude D400.

 

chris

Just downloaded PowerDVD 5 evaluation version, and it works!!!!

So I guess WinDVD 4 doesn't cut it. I'll see if Dell can figure this one out.

Dell couldn't help me, so I found an open source program called VideoLAN VLC that works great. I uninstalled WinDVD 4 and will never look back.

In addition to the debugging steps I listed in original message, we also tried:

1) pulling laptop out of docking station, and retested

2) ran msconfig, unset all items in Startup tab, and re-tested.

3) verified that I don't have the following software installed:
PCAnywhere
Zenwork Tools

4) uninstalled DVD Sentry - silly program that Dell provides to make sure your DVD software that they provide (that doesn't work), runs automatically

5) verified Windows XP remote desktop sharing is NOT enabled.

 

what a pain!

For Win98 users:

Go to Start

Control Panel

System

Performance tab

click on graphics button

set to full

& reboot

Good Luck. WinDVD4 is a great program. The only one I know that plays bin/cue files.

John

Just thought I'd add that I'm having the exact same issue on my D600.  I have found that i can play DVD's when docked but when undocked I get the overlay issue.

Had the same problem on a new Centrino HP.  Exited Net meeting and the movie worked fine.

 

Luck!

I have this same problem, "create overlay failed" message, and I fixed it on my laptop by setting the "hardware acceleration" to "full". I'm using Win XP so I go to

Display Properties\Settings\Advanced\Troubleshoot

Move the "Hardware Acceleration" slider to "full".

This made WinDVD4 work, as well as Windows Media Player, as well as fixing a problem I had with choppy audio and video.

Thanks for the tip. Pass this info along, it may help others with this problem.

 

Hey Im having the same issues on my dell Inspiron|8200.. I cant find were to set my hardware accelerator.  Any help please.

None of these things posten in this thread have helped me. this is a win2k cpx laptop ... any last comments ???

What version of media player do you have shaka ?

I couldn't get WinDVD to work at all.  Microsofts Media Player doesn't have a problem and I've been using that for DVD.

 

 

I had the same error "create overlay failed. Please lower your screen resolution or color depth and try again." I have a Dell Latitude D600 and to get rid of this error I turned off Net Meeting and the WinDVD program worked fine. Also worked again on a second D600. Hope this helps.

Well, speakin just for myself, I've tried many different resolutions and color depths.  I've doubled checked that net meeting is not running. 

Looks like the version of Media Player is 9.00.00.2980.

 

I wonder if MS's version string is long enough...

LOL ... MS's version numbers are way to long ...

I have also checked if netmeeting was running - and it wasnt ... it seems as if this problem is undefinable ...
My best advice and resolution to this prob. is reinstall ... depressing !