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February 3rd, 2009 15:00
CD/DVD Problems
Hi all,
I recently had to recover my XP OS using the Drivers and Utilities CDs that came with my Inspiron 1520 laptop. While I have most of what I need up and running, everytime I try to run DVDs in Windows Media Player or RealPlayer it errors:
In RP:
RealPlayer requires add content. Searching for this content....It finds something and downloads it, and then tells me "You must have DVD software downloaded on your computer to play DVDs. Please ensure the DVD Software that came with your computer or DVD Drive is properly installed, before attempting to play your DVD."
In WMP:
"Windows Media Player cannot play the DVD because a compatible DVD decoder is not installed on your computer."
I downloaded a VideoLan VLC Media Player that has been running some DVDs, but not all(I watched "The Ring" on my laptop, but it couldn't play "The Ring 2").
I just want to get this fixed. I would assume, since it was running these fine before I had to recover, that there's some way to get it, legally of course, without paying the money, because I already owned it. Is there something I just missed when downloading the Drivers and Utlities?
Thanks,
Adam
osprey4
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34.2K Posts
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February 4th, 2009 09:00
Hi, Adam:
I do not use either RP or WMP so I cannot offer any advice there. The "missing decoder" error refers to the program used to play DVDs. Your system probably came with PowerDVD or WinDVD. You should have a disc for one of them.
As for the specific movie you're having trouble with, I'd be surprised if this was a decoder issue.
TIMRNE
3 Posts
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February 4th, 2009 12:00
I ALSO HAVE HAD TO REINSTALL XP OS AND DELL DRIVERS. MY MUSIC CDS WILL PLAY, NOT A MOVIE DVD. MY WMP COMES UP IF I CLICK ON MY COMP. THEN CLICK CD/DVD/ROM. THEN I CAN PLAY MUSIC. IT WILL NOT AUOT LOAD. I DOWNLOADED WMP 11. THIS DID NOT FIX THE CD OR DVD ISSUE. I ALSO TRIED TO DOWMLOAD THAT VLC, AND THAT DID NOT WORK. I FOUND THAT I DID HAVE A POWER DVD FROM DELL. I DLD IT AND THAT STILL DID NOT WORK. WHIEN I DBL CLIK THE ICON IT COMES UP TO THE RIGHT SCREEN WITH THE OPTIONS OF EXIT, EJECT AND NOT HIGHLIGHTED ARE PLAY, FF, ANDRESUME. I THOUGHT THAT WOULD FIX IT. I CAN PLAT MUSIC, BUT I JUST WANT TO PLAY MOVIES OCCAS. HOW CAN I FIX THIS. IM HAVE SPENT 200.00 TRYING TI FIX THIS. I DONT WANT TO SPEND A LOT MORE ,. PLEASE ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT!!!!! TIMRNE
TIMRNE
3 Posts
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February 4th, 2009 15:00
Sorry about the caps. I am at work. i am an RN in the recovery room. Our comptuer charting is mostly caps.
I have a Dell insperion 1501. What exactly is a data dvd? It read the powerdvd dics when i put it in the drive. I am not sure about safe mode. When i get home i will try to run dell diagnotics. Should this be on my laptop, or is this from the dell site? I really am thankful for your help. Dell is of no help to me. TIM
osprey4
6 Operator
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34.2K Posts
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February 4th, 2009 15:00
Hi, Timrne:
Please turn off the caps. Thank you.
My suggestion to you would be to verify the drive's ability to read DVDs. Try a data DVD. When you insert the disc, use My Computer or Explorer to view the disc contents. If you are unable to do so, try safe mode. If that does not work, run the Dell diagnostics with a data DVD in the drive.
If you post back, please provide the model of your Dell system and the drive.
osprey4
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34.2K Posts
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February 5th, 2009 16:00
Hi, Timrne:
Got your message. It sounds like there are several things going on besides the DVD issue. Please run the Dell diagnostics as described here. You should use a data DVD, something like an installation disc but on a DVD, not a CD.
osprey4
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34.2K Posts
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February 5th, 2009 16:00
Hi, Timrne:
Got your message. It sounds like there are several things going on besides the DVD issue. Please run the Dell diagnostics as described here <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>. You should use a data DVD, something like an installation disc but on a DVD, not a CD.
TIMRNE
3 Posts
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February 5th, 2009 19:00
Hey osprey,
Thanks for the tip. I trried it and still not able to play dvds. i ran all the diag. nothing came up bad. everything seemed to pass. If i buy another sony cdrwdvd 850e and install it would it come with a cd to install? would i need something other than powerdvd or win. med. play 10? I thank you for your help!
osprey4
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34.2K Posts
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February 6th, 2009 11:00
I really think this is a software problem, so replacing the drive is not going to help. My recommendation is to back up your important data and reinstall the operating system.
You'll need to reinstall PowerDVD to watch DVDs.
osprey4
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34.2K Posts
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February 6th, 2009 11:00
I really think this is a software issue, so replacing the drive is not going to work. I would consider reinstalling XP. It will take a couple hours and you'll end up with far fewer problems.
WMP does not have a built-in DVD program, so you must install something like PowerDVD to watch DVDs.