Playing DVDs on the computer...............problem

[Dolan]

I cannot play DVDs on my computer (a couple of years old Dell with XP). I've downloaded 2 different decoders and have tried everything I can think of. Is my computer not compatible and I have to buy a program off the shelf or? No problem playing CDs, just DVDs. They just wont work.

[GodOfRhythm]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

Are you sure you have a DVD player/reader in your computer? DVD's don't work in an ordinary CD station.

[Dolan]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

Hmmmmmmmmm..................good point. Never thought of that. Geez, I would think all these new computers would have something as simple as a DVD player. So, now what?

[GodOfRhythm]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

If you only have a CD-Rom player, you can go out and buy a DVD player.

I'd get a DVD player/writer if you're gonna buy it anyways, that way you can also burn DVD's.

Installing a new dvd player isn't hard, really, it's easier than replacing strings on some trems. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]


Edit: just saw you have a Dell, so adding some extra hardware might not be so simple at all, perhaps even impossible.

I always buy my own parts and construct my own computer, but those pre-fab things can be a nightmare when it comes to these things...

[Newc]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

So now you go to WalMart and grab a DVD/CDRW player/recorder, remove your current CD drive, install the new drive, re-authenticate your copy of Windows XP, register your drive so they can spam you to death or it won't work, then pop in a DVD and watch your PC's performance decline rapidly [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Or you can go get a real standalone DVD player for $150 [img]/images/graemlins/poke.gif[/img]

[Dolan]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

Geez...............all this for a computer DVD player. I do have a stand alone, its in the living room. My computer (s) are in the bedroom. I have a 4 year old, so, need I say more about watching a DVD in the living room?

I installed an upgraded CD player/recorder in my older Compaq without a hitch once. If its going to be a major hassle, I'll do without.

[Newc]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

Ohhhh, you didn't say it was THAT kind of DVD [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/poke.gif[/img]

Actually it should be easier to upgrade these days because of the Plug-N-Play specs.

If you REALLY want it easy, get en external USB-based DVD unit.

[Dolan]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

[ QUOTE ]
If you REALLY want it easy, get en external USB-based DVD unit.

[/ QUOTE ]

That sound good to me!! Idiot proof!!

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

Only external DVD players are bit expensive though.

[agquake]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

[ QUOTE ]
I have a 4 year old, so, need I say more about watching a DVD in the living room?

[/ QUOTE ]

www.myfreepaysite.com [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[Hotrod]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

[ QUOTE ]
install the new drive, re-authenticate your copy of Windows XP,



[/ QUOTE ]

What does that mean, to re-authenticate the copy of Windows XP?

[Newc]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

Windows has this built-in anti-piracy thing that says you have to contact MS via phone or internet and give them an authentication code to let them know you've spent money on a whole new XP CD rather than saved yourself a few bucks by installing the same CD on several computers, because they might not make another few billion dollars if everyone did that.
If you don't authenticate (and re-authenticate after changing your video card, replacing a CDRW drive with a DVD drive, and basically anything that causes the hardware profile to incur a permanent change), your computer shuts down permanently.

[hippietim]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

[ QUOTE ]
Windows has this built-in anti-piracy thing that says you have to contact MS via phone or internet and give them an authentication code to let them know you've spent money on a whole new XP CD rather than saved yourself a few bucks by installing the same CD on several computers, because they might not make another few billion dollars if everyone did that.
If you don't authenticate (and re-authenticate after changing your video card, replacing a CDRW drive with a DVD drive, and basically anything that causes the hardware profile to incur a permanent change), your computer shuts down permanently.

[/ QUOTE ]

Newc, that is not true. You can change parts of your computer out without any of this stuff. It takes considerable changes for this to kick in.

I suggest you read this:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_myths.mspx

[Hotrod]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

[ QUOTE ]
Windows has this built-in anti-piracy thing that says you have to contact MS via phone or internet and give them an authentication code to let them know you've spent money on a whole new XP CD rather than saved yourself a few bucks by installing the same CD on several computers, because they might not make another few billion dollars if everyone did that.
If you don't authenticate (and re-authenticate after changing your video card, replacing a CDRW drive with a DVD drive, and basically anything that causes the hardware profile to incur a permanent change), your computer shuts down permanently.

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img] I must have a bad copy of XP then, because I've changed/added components (CD Burner and Hard drive) with no problems. I also used the same copy of XP on my daughters computer (freebie/cheapo from work) with no problems at all. I'd heard those rumors before, but never experienced it myself. Oh well.

[GodOfRhythm]

Re: Playing DVDs on the computer...............pro

I've used my CD to install XP on all my network's Computers, 3 whole computers! (), and if you wait for, I believe it was, 6 months, you can use the CD for other systems, no prob.