Can't play DVDs

Question

Hello,   I have a Inspiron 5150 and recently set up my Laptop. Now I am not able to play DVDs anymore although I updated the drivers. I have no problem with CDs, only DVDs are not working anymore. Before I set up my system, I had no such problems. I don't know what to do...   Can anybody help me?

Skybird · Answer

By Set-up, I assume you reinstalled the Operating System.  If so, youneed to reinstall the DVD Decoder software.  It was PowerDVD or WinDVD.

Twitters · Answer

Would I have to do the same thing? I have an inspirion 9300 laptop and my dvd player was working fine earlier last week or the end of the week before. Now I'll put a dvd disc in from a tv show season I have and it says there's no disc in the drive.

Beatrice80 · Answer

Yes, setting up means reinstalling the system (Windows XP). I also reinstalled Power DVD, but the problem is still there. If I uninstall the hardware and install it again, it only says CD-ROM hardware found, but finally the correct hardware (NEC DVD+RW ND 5100A) is displayed. When I put in a DVD, a message appears saying that there is no disc in the drive and if it's a data disc it's empty! Do you have any other suggestions?

Skybird · Answer

Two things come to mind ...... - When you installed Windows XP, did you install the ChipSet? - See if this Microsoft Article applies here .......... http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316529/en-us

Beatrice80 · Answer

I also installed the chipset. The article doesn't really help because it's only dealing with CDs and my problem is focused on DVDs. But thank you very much for helping me, because I don't understand what's wrong!

Skybird · Answer

The last thing I have is that there is a Firmware update available
if you do not already have it here ........

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R94927&formatcnt=1&fileid=123103

Beatrice80 · Answer

I already got theupdate, but I got even more in trouble with that because before I updated the driver, I could play DVDs (films etc.) but not data DVDs. And after the installation of the update I couldn't play DVDs anymore. It seems to be hopeless!

nerdomatic · Answer

Hello, I have an Inspiron 8200 (purchased 1-16-03) with Windows XP Professional : InterVideo WinDVD 4 and Windows Media Player. It won't play the newer DVD's and CD's at all. All I get is a 'Not Responding' message. Any advice, please?

Timbergang. · Answer

I as well am unable to play newer dvd's.  My computer more or less stops responding.  I have an Inspiron 9300 with the NEC ND-6650A dvd-rw drive.  Dell Tech support was completely worthless in helping solve the problem..Anyone have any ideas??

nerdomatic · Answer

If you figure it out, please let me know ASAP. Extremely exasperating, as you well know. Why can a $25 pawn-shop DVD player do what a $2500 computer can't?

Storage, Drives & Media

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