No compatible DVD decoder is installed on my computer

Question

I get this message when I try and play a DVD   'Windows Media Player cannot play this DVD because a compatible DVD decoder is not installed on your computer'   However when I goto Windows update it links me to sites where i have to buy the software.  Surely I can get it free from Dell?   I tried downloading the Sonic patch but it says it is not compatible with the application I have installed.   Ive got a new Inspiron 640m notebook.  I replaced the Vista OS with XP but ive been having driver problems ever since.  There are three Base System Devices which have no drivers and I don;t even know that the devices are   Any help will be greatly appreciated   Thank you

volcano11 · Answer

When you buy a Dell with a DVD drive, they include software like Power DVD, that provides the DVD codec.   Since you changed operating systems, you may now not have XP compatible software that will work.  Check the CDs that came with your computer.  You cannot expect Dell to provide a download for commercial software.   Note that there are free DVD codecs out there - did you try using Google to find them?   It sounds like you didn't install the drivers when you installed XP.  Since you don't say which model computer you have, I can't point you to the drivers, but you should know that it is absolutely essential that you install the chipset drivers before even attempting to install any other device drivers.  If you don't, you may have to start all over.  All Drivers can be found by clicking the Technical Support link at the upper left of the forum window.   Steve

Irishfella · Answer

I have an Inpsiron 640m note book. I did not install the chipset driver first so that may be causing the problems

How do I unistall and the reinstall the the correct order?

Here is the hardware spec of my notebook

DVD/CD-ROM Drives TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-L632D Disk Drives Hitachi HTS721080G9SA00 74.52Gb Display Adapters Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family 224Mb Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family 224Mb IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers Intel(R) 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7-M Family) Serial ATA Storage Controller - 27C4 Primary IDE Channel Secondary IDE Channel Keyboards Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard Mice and Other Pointing Devices USB Human Interface Device PS/2 Compatible Mouse Monitors Plug and Play Monitor - (Standard monitor types) Plug and Play Monitor - (Standard monitor types) Sound Devices SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC USB Controllers Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C8 Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C9 Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CA Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CB Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 27CC

Software Name Version Dell Resource CD 1.00.0000 Microsoft Software Update for Web Folders (English) 12 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office OneNote MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Groove Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office InfoPath MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Access MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Shared Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Excel MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Access Setup Metadata MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office PowerPoint MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Publisher MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Outlook MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Groove MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Word MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Proofing (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Shared MUI (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Proof (English) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Proof (Spanish) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Proof (French) 2007 12.0.4518.1014 Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 12.0.4518.1014 WebFldrs XP 9.50.7523 mDrWiFi 7.20.0000 mLogView 7.20.0000 mPfMgr 7.20.0000 mPfWiz 7.20.0000 MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB925672) 4.20.9839.0 Broadcom Gigabit Integrated Controller 8.10.07 Sonic Activation Module 1.0 Roxio Creator Data 3.3.0 mWlsSafe 7.20.0000 MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB927978) 4.20.9841.0 Dell Mobile Broadband Card Utility 2.05.16.26 Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller 8.03.09 mHlpDell 7.20.0000 mXML 7.20.0000 Adobe Reader 8 8.0.0 mCore 7.20.0000 Roxio Drag-to-Disc 9.0 mZConfig 7.20.0000 Roxio Creator Audio 3.3.0 J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 11 1.5.0.110 Roxio Creator Tools 3.3.0 Kaspersky Anti-Virus 6.0 6.0.2.614 MSN Messenger 7.5 7.5.0311.0 mIWA 7.20.0000 Roxio Creator Copy 3.3.0 Roxio Creator DE 3.3.0 Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.0.6 Roxio Update Manager 3.0.0 mWMI 7.20.0000 mSSO 7.20.0000 Dell Support 3.2.1 5.5.2094 Roxio MyDVD DE 9.0.116 Roxio Express Labeler 2.1.0 mProSafe 7.20.0000 mDriver 7.20.0000 mMHouse 7.20.0000

Software

Although I have went through the media direct repair, It is still not working

Thank you

SNG111 · Answer

Just to add to what the other poster has already said about DVD's. You require third-party software to play DVD's. There is nothing on your software list that will allow Media Center to play them.

Dell have stopped shipping back-up CD's for media programs (with some machines), but if your laptop is under warrenty they will send them out to you. You need PowerDVD or similar, whatever software that was originally on your machine. You could also be missing Sonic/Dell Cineplayer (replacing this program is less important becuase its codecs are incompatible with WMP/MC).

As regards un/re-installing drivers in general, you'd probably be quicker doing another clean install of XP. Type 'driver installation order' into keyword search and you'll get all the info you need for the installation sequence.

Message Edited by SNG111 on 03-14-2007 04:17 AM

tommyo1954 · Answer

If it were me, the very first order of business for me would be to not worry about playing any DVD's at this time. First thing to do is get the computer up & running properly by going to the Dell Drivers and Downloads page and obtian your proper drivers.   Note >>  You say you already changed the operating system from Vista to XP.... so make certain to get the proper drivers now...

Irishfella · Answer

There are 42 drivers listed for the Inspiron 640m notebook running XP. Do I need to download them all and what order should i download the in?

Thank you

Message Edited by Irishfella on 03-14-2007 08:43 AM

tommyo1954 · Answer

No....  you need to look at the documentation that came with your computer to know what exactly is installed in it.  Or..  somewhere within the Dell website, I think there's a 'system information' link somewhere that will scan your computer and list your specs.  Then you need pick your particular drivers for your specific needs. You start by installing the chipset first.....   I've never owned a laptop here to know anything about them.... you might wish to repost this in the proper laptop conference and probably someone will step in here with better knowledge than what little I have in laptops.

Irishfella · Answer

Here is the hardware spec of my notebook   DVD/CD-ROM Drives TSSTcorp DVD+-RW TS-L632D Disk Drives Hitachi HTS721080G9SA00 74.52Gb Display Adapters Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family 224Mb Mobile Intel(R) 945GM Express Chipset Family 224Mb IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers Intel(R) 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7-M Family) Serial ATA Storage Controller - 27C4 Primary IDE Channel Secondary IDE Channel Keyboards Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard Mice and Other Pointing Devices USB Human Interface Device PS/2 Compatible Mouse Monitors Plug and Play Monitor - (Standard monitor types) Plug and Play Monitor - (Standard monitor types) Sound Devices SigmaTel High Definition Audio CODEC USB Controllers Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C8 Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C9 Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CA Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CB Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 27CC

SNG111 · Answer

It says on your software list that you are running (or have) 'Dell Resource CD'. As well as having all the drivers you need that program will also provide the information your require on the driver installation sequence.

geekWALKER · Answer

try this www.xpcodec.com worked on wmp10 and wmp 11 enjoy

Windows General

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