DVD Play Issue

Question

Hi, I have a Dimension 9150, Windows XP Media Center edition.   Playing CDs and DVDs up to today on DVD rewriter. Inserted a DVD with copy protection, purely to play and now canno tplay othere DVDs. One did play but no sound. Cds play ok. Neither media Centre, WMP or any other player will play the DVDs.   Any ideas? Appreciate any help.

Predator · Answer

Hi LSLfan,You might get lucky with Windows XP restore feature; roll the system back a day or so.Click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to Section 100, article 17.It is possible the DVD issue is related to the Cineplayer date bug. Dell has released a patch locatedhere.If you receive a message that the patch is not related to your version, please go ahead and try the patch anyway, usually it will work. However if it does not, please click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to Section 7-5, article 15 and try one of the free decoding programs K-Lite or VLC. Either will innstall the necessary codecs which should correct your problem.Seasons Greetings ! CD/RW Link

LSLFAN · Answer

Jeff, that fixed the problem, many thanks.   System Restore did not fix it but the cineplayer patch from Dell did. I can now play thru Cineplayer or Media Center, which is my usual application.   I assume that the copy protected disk did not cause the problem. May not have played a DVD this month in my PC so perhaps that is the reason it happened now. Why would Media Center and WMP be affected if the problem was related to Cineplayer?.... just interested in the reason.   Happy Christmas to you as well and thank you for your speedy reply.   Kind regards.   Peter

Predator · Answer

Hi Peter,Both Media Center and WMP require third party codecs in order to play DVD`s. Dell was shipping PowerDVD and still may be on some systems but seem to be using Cineplayer as the decoding software now. Cineplayer has the neccessary codecs for MC & WMP to play DVD`s.Seasons Greetings ! CD/RW Link Message Edited by Predator on 12-27-200605:12 PM

cymgy · Answer

I had the same problem with the DVD player not working at all and the patch (or just rolling back the clock fixed that issue.  However, I have always had a jumpy issue with DVD playback.  After about an hour or so of DVD playback the playback starts to stick and jump.  Very annoying.  Initially I thought it might be overheating but after removing the entire back of the cabinet where the computer is stored I am very confident that is not the issue.  The computer is a Dimension 5150c, 1G ram and the 24XCD-RW/DVD combo drive.  Any ideas apart from throwing the thing out the window?

Predator · Answer

Hi Cymgy,It is possible the drive is running in PIO mode instead of DMA mode. Please click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to Section 15, articles 14 & 17.Seasons Greetings ! CD/RW Link

dksharp · Answer

Predator, you said that if you got the message that the patch didn't apply to your version to try it anyway.  How do I do that?  When I get the message the only option is to click 'OK' which closes the window.  Please help if you can, thanks.   David

Predator · Answer

Hi David,Some were able to install it, other were not, you are logged in as Administrator, correct?If it will not let you, do try one of the free Decoders, VLC or K-Lite.Happy New Year ! CD/RW Link

dksharp · Answer

Predator,   I downloaded the VLC decoder that you linked to but nothing has changed.  Do you have any other ideas?  I have already tried going back to an earlier date, which didn't work either.  Should I just go buy another program or what?  I am obviously clueless here and appreciate any help you can provide.   To answer one of your questions, I am logged in as administrator.   Thanks for all your help, and Happy New Year to you as well! :)   David

Predator · Answer

Hi David,According to Dell, the 'bug' should correct itself the first of January. I would wait and see if that comes true, only a few hours now.If it does not, yes of course you can purchase another program, many seem to like PowerDVD.The other option with Cineplayer is to do a clean uninstall / reinstall of the Sonic software, which requires some editing of the registry. If you have the installation disc, Click on the CD/RW link in my post and scroll to Section 13-0, article 24.Happy New Year ! CD/RW Link Message Edited by Predator on 12-31-200609:25 PM

dksharp · Answer

Well, we got my problem solved.  As it turns out, my drive was bad.  After chattting with Dell Tech Support, we determined that the drive was not functioning properly and they shipped me a replacement already and I installed it.   Thanks for your help Predator

Storage, Drives & Media

DVD Play Issue

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