no decoder installed

Question

When I tried to view a movie I got that there was no decoder software installed.  I just got my computer about 3 weeks ago and it is an xps 400 running windows xp media center.  I did have to reformat my hard drive due to an error that I kept getting and I do not have any program with it other than the windows disc, the security and word perfect discs and the hardware discs that came with it.  I am at a loss as to what to do but at the same time have no idea if I am even in the right forum.  Could some one please direct me to the right forum if I am in the wrong one and if not could someone please tell me what I need to do?    Thanks,   Bucketta

davejohn · Answer

One of the discs you got should have Cyberlink's PowerDVD on it.  That should fix you up. Dave

Bucketta · Answer

I don't have any kind of software or disc that has that on it.  I was told by Dell that all that software that was on it.  Like the Sony thing and the Quick Books was just Demo software and that you didn't have anything with it on it.  So I guess I am out of luck and will get to buy the software, now.  I do have a drivers and utilities CD but it doesn't have it on it either i just did took a look at it.      Thanks,   Bucketta

nitzel · Answer

Don't feel lonely.  I have the PowerDVD cd and have uninstalled and reinstalled and it still does not work.  Still get the decoder error.  I am on the phone with Dell right now and I will update if I find a solution.

nitzel · Answer

Sorry.  No real good news.  After the fourth tech I got a guy that was very helpful in the Media Center PC Group.  We were on the phone for about an hour.  Final resolution was not what I wanted to hear but normal for Windows.....you guessed it.  Reinstall.  There is a very handy utility now that gets you back to out of the box quickly.  When the pc is restarting press ctrl and F11 and it will get you to a hard disc restore.  After doing this my WME quit giving me the decoder error and played my DVD.

Bucketta · Answer

I really do not have it or anything that has it on it.  I did download it from the company's website but I really hate to have to buy something that should have come with my computer.  I also hate to say this, but I like this computer less and less and I have been a dell fan for years, but this one is about to change my mind.  In my house, at the present time, there are four computers, three of which are dells, the other one is a little cheap computer we bought for my dad for his 80th birthday and works fine for what he does.  I am about to become a big fan of alienware I think.

Highlander_821 · Answer

Call or Chat with Dell support and ask them to send you the Powerdvd cd, you are entitled to be sent one if you were not sent one with your order. If the machine has a CD or DVD burner, then you might need Sonic MyDVD software, too. Make them send you the disks, you should not have to purchase these programs.

nitzel · Answer

I can't find a place to download.  Can you receive large email's?  I'll email you a copy of mine if Dell won't send you one.  Up to you.  Or I can post it to an ftp site if you want.

Bucketta · Answer

is it a zip or exe file?  If so you can email it I will have  to send you a private message with my email but I am not sure that it will work, but I will try it in a few.     Bucketta

Bucketta · Answer

I was sent one, but couldn't get it to install. So I started to buy one but then had so many problems with my computer that I was just about to send it back when I discovered my firewall was part of the problem, of course this was after three formats. Anyway I have commplained to Dell enough that they are sending me a copy. But then I got an email yesterday that said they were sending me a replacement part and for me to send the other back so I have no idea what that means. They were suppose to call me tnoight to check on how the computer was doing but that too was a no go. Although I had a software issue that was not the entire problem and I am very much disappointed with the machine.

Bucketta

ssnova69350 · Answer

hi:  having the same problem......what did you do to solve this problem? any help......thanks

JereSmith25 · Answer

I am having the same problem when trying to watch TV on my machine.  I have powerdvd installed and I am still getting this error.  Why can there just be a download for this problem?

enee6 · Answer

same problem.

i had to reinstall xp and found out that they did not send me the driver disk.

after 3 chats with dell and receiving a new download link each time, i still cant watch TV.

the latest problem is the decoder error that says it was not installed. so there must be a driver for it right?!

enee6 · Answer

ok i found out that the 'decoder' is cyberlinks power dvd. i had installed power dvd on my computer but it was not the latest version. so i uninstalled power dvd and then went to their website to download the latest version. i did the trial version. www.cyberlink.com  dell is sending me my copy of the cd so i will have it after the trial period.

Bucketta · Answer

Good luck in getting it they sent me the Sony DVD software instead of this I ended up buying it but I have had nothing but problems out of this machine. I have never had this kind of problems out of a dell but I can say this much it has really put a sour taste in my mouth for a Dell computer and I doubt that I ever own another one, once I get rid of the three I have, although the other two I have no complaints with.

Bucketta

enriquetejeda · Answer

Hi Everyone.

Imagine my surprise after a format and reinstall that I cannot find the Cyberllink software on any CD in order to install the DVD decoder.

I show the Cyberlink software on my invoice. But now some lady in Sales (I got Sales because technical support closed at 5pm pacific time) tells me that I have to pay for any CD's for software that was pre-installed.

Hey Dell: you call this service? She created a case for me and I will absolutely escalate this as far up as I need to until someone with an idea of how to run a business will see the value in sending me a CD for which I already paid...

Totally Disgruntled Customer

Windows General

no decoder installed

Was this post helpful?