the_gentile
asked on
DVD not playing--decoder needed.
my presario 715us laptop had a CDRW/DVD combo drive that didn't work. so i bought a new CDRW/DVD drive and it worked fine, played movies, etc.
but then i wanted to reformat my hard drive to clean it out. but i'd lost the compaq recovery discs, so i just reformatted and reinstalled with a general XP install disc. i tell you all this because it means that my computer doesn't have all the drivers already there. (everything is legal--used the winxp serial number from the sticker at the bottom and all.)
i went to the compaq website and installed all the drivers and updates they had available for my model. but when i put in a DVD, windows media player opened and told me that i needed a "compatable DVD decoder". when i tried to install the compaq provided winDVD, it said that it wasn't a "valid compaq solution" and aborted the install.
so i can't play DVD's. apparently i need a decoder. i was able to find some weird programs on the net that allowed me to play DVD's in a sort of workaround way. but i *really* want my computer to have the capabilities to play everything the right normal way. where can i get a *free* DVD decoder that will make everything work normal again? it seems that i should be able to download for free whatever decoder i had before that made it work, right?
thanks all.
-the_gentile
but then i wanted to reformat my hard drive to clean it out. but i'd lost the compaq recovery discs, so i just reformatted and reinstalled with a general XP install disc. i tell you all this because it means that my computer doesn't have all the drivers already there. (everything is legal--used the winxp serial number from the sticker at the bottom and all.)
i went to the compaq website and installed all the drivers and updates they had available for my model. but when i put in a DVD, windows media player opened and told me that i needed a "compatable DVD decoder". when i tried to install the compaq provided winDVD, it said that it wasn't a "valid compaq solution" and aborted the install.
so i can't play DVD's. apparently i need a decoder. i was able to find some weird programs on the net that allowed me to play DVD's in a sort of workaround way. but i *really* want my computer to have the capabilities to play everything the right normal way. where can i get a *free* DVD decoder that will make everything work normal again? it seems that i should be able to download for free whatever decoder i had before that made it work, right?
thanks all.
-the_gentile
ASKER
ok... is a codex the same as a decoder? i'm installing them as i type.
ASKER
ok. installed divX... still get the same error messages. then i tried playing the DVD just through divX. also didn't work. i guess i'll dry Xvid too, but i don't think it will fix this either.
ASKER
oh, and InterVideo WinDVD still doesn't install. if i can get WinDVD to install, i'm sure everything will work.
hmmmmmmmm are u sure u have installed WMP 9 series ??
its strange coz my sis's laptop has a DVD drive, and i was never required to install an extra DVD decoder to play DVDs on her system,,,,, Im use to of installing WMP9 and those DivX and XVid codecs, and these things work fine for all VCDs and DVDs :)
its strange coz my sis's laptop has a DVD drive, and i was never required to install an extra DVD decoder to play DVDs on her system,,,,, Im use to of installing WMP9 and those DivX and XVid codecs, and these things work fine for all VCDs and DVDs :)
But if still nothing is working for u, u can check this PAQ.... it has listed some useful DVD Decoders >> https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/20795394/DVD-Decoder-software.html
Hope it can help u =)
Hope it can help u =)
ASKER
yea... i mean, when i first plugged it in it worked right away like that. it's only since i reinstalled windows that i've been having the problems. lemme try that PAQ.
the_gentile
the_gentile
ASKER
nope. still nothing. i've installed the newest version of DirectX and tried installing a different WinDVD... still nothing. Compaq HP support hasn't been much help.
U have only tried with the Windows Media Player 9 series yet ??
what abt Real Player >> http://uk.real.com/player/?&src=ZG.uk.idx,ZG.uk.rp.rp.hd.def
(click on the right column for the free version)
or PowerDVD >> http://www.gocyberlink.com/english/download/dl_file_new.jsp?dl_id=1&ProdId=1
(its not free, but u can use the Trial version to check if it can work or not)
what abt Real Player >> http://uk.real.com/player/?&src=ZG.uk.idx,ZG.uk.rp.rp.hd.def
(click on the right column for the free version)
or PowerDVD >> http://www.gocyberlink.com/english/download/dl_file_new.jsp?dl_id=1&ProdId=1
(its not free, but u can use the Trial version to check if it can work or not)
If you're on a fresh install of XP you need to upgrade your windows media and direct x version.
If you go to microsoft.com and have a look in their downloads section you'll find both (i'll advise you not to go for windows media player 10)
Sorry to say SheharyaarSaahil has the wrong end of the stick - DivX has nothing to do with DVD apart from them both being digital video.
The best DVD player is PowerDVD and if you bought it I dare say it would install all you need to play DVDs
If you go to microsoft.com and have a look in their downloads section you'll find both (i'll advise you not to go for windows media player 10)
Sorry to say SheharyaarSaahil has the wrong end of the stick - DivX has nothing to do with DVD apart from them both being digital video.
The best DVD player is PowerDVD and if you bought it I dare say it would install all you need to play DVDs
>> If you're on a fresh install of XP you need to upgrade your windows media and direct x version
he has done both of these things already :)
>> DivX has nothing to do with DVD apart from them both being digital video
as i said earlier,,, i use WMP9, DivX and XVid combination,,,, and these things work perfectly for all type of VCDs and DVDs for me.... that's why i asked him to make sure if he is not missing anything :)
he has done both of these things already :)
>> DivX has nothing to do with DVD apart from them both being digital video
as i said earlier,,, i use WMP9, DivX and XVid combination,,,, and these things work perfectly for all type of VCDs and DVDs for me.... that's why i asked him to make sure if he is not missing anything :)
I would look for a cheap winDVD on ebay, I picked up a couple copies for less than $10.00 each and they work great. Your compaq version is looking for a specific configuration and serial number that can no longer be duplicated due to reformatting your computer.
>> >> If you're on a fresh install of XP you need to upgrade your windows media and direct x version
>> he has done both of these things already :)
Dont mean to be pedantic - but if you read through the thread there's not a single mention from the author about upgrading WMP...
I'll accept your second comment tho - its good to stock up on commonplace codecs... although neither DVDs or VCDs use them... they both use MPEG decoders...
>> he has done both of these things already :)
Dont mean to be pedantic - but if you read through the thread there's not a single mention from the author about upgrading WMP...
I'll accept your second comment tho - its good to stock up on commonplace codecs... although neither DVDs or VCDs use them... they both use MPEG decoders...
>> but if you read through the thread there's not a single mention from the author about upgrading WMP
hmmmmmmmm but i asked him before abt this >> "hmmmmmmmm are u sure u have installed WMP 9 series ??"
and he neither refused it nor confirmed it :-?
But i think he is using WMP9.... coz from very beginning im taling abt WMP 9 series,,,, and if he wud be not using it, he surely wud have told me abt this.... right =\
hmmmmmmmm but i asked him before abt this >> "hmmmmmmmm are u sure u have installed WMP 9 series ??"
and he neither refused it nor confirmed it :-?
But i think he is using WMP9.... coz from very beginning im taling abt WMP 9 series,,,, and if he wud be not using it, he surely wud have told me abt this.... right =\
ASKER
actually, i did already upgrade wmp to 9, and my direct x is also updated, and i downloaded all the windows updates, and i have the latest divX. as much as i hate trials, i've downloaded PoweDVD just to see if it works. it does. i'm going to try downloading the commercial trial of WinDVD 6 now...
Well considering he's neither confirmed or denied getting it, writing it off is a little naive.
XP comes with version 8 i think, whatever version it is, it doesnt have DVD support out the box - Thus is the very first thing to do when you've installed windows - get your service packs and the current version of WMP...
XP comes with version 8 i think, whatever version it is, it doesnt have DVD support out the box - Thus is the very first thing to do when you've installed windows - get your service packs and the current version of WMP...
>> i've downloaded PoweDVD just to see if it works
means at present there is only PowerDVD which is working fine ??
aham aham.... may i ask a stupid question here..... are u sure u have tried more than one DVD to test with WMP 8)
means at present there is only PowerDVD which is working fine ??
aham aham.... may i ask a stupid question here..... are u sure u have tried more than one DVD to test with WMP 8)
erm.. I think it's needed a valid activation key which doesn't bundled together with compaq laptop.
but before you do that, I would suggest you to contact compaq regarding this matter.
they have real time chat support at here : http://ipgweb.cce.hp.com/bus-nacons/caller/chat_pilot.asp
it cost nothing and I think they will answer your question correctly rather than shooting at the dark here :)
but before you do that, I would suggest you to contact compaq regarding this matter.
they have real time chat support at here : http://ipgweb.cce.hp.com/bus-nacons/caller/chat_pilot.asp
it cost nothing and I think they will answer your question correctly rather than shooting at the dark here :)
Yeah best to test them all out...
Just make sure you play with some of the advanced settings on power DVD - Its a really powerful little program...
Just make sure you play with some of the advanced settings on power DVD - Its a really powerful little program...
ASKER
i just installed the trial version of WinDVD 6 and it works perfect. it made me download and install directX 9.0c. but trying to install the compaq WinDVD still doesn't work.
>>Compaq HP support hasn't been much help.
this still holds true. the compaq guy gave me a link to update drectX and a link to install WinDVD... which is what i already had tried, but i tried again with his links, with the same results.
>> erm.. I think it's needed a valid activation key which doesn't bundled together with compaq laptop.
"it"? what is "it"? winDVD?
>>may i ask a stupid question here..... are u sure u have tried more than one DVD to test with WMP 8
yes. but its WMP 9.
>>Compaq HP support hasn't been much help.
this still holds true. the compaq guy gave me a link to update drectX and a link to install WinDVD... which is what i already had tried, but i tried again with his links, with the same results.
>> erm.. I think it's needed a valid activation key which doesn't bundled together with compaq laptop.
"it"? what is "it"? winDVD?
>>may i ask a stupid question here..... are u sure u have tried more than one DVD to test with WMP 8
yes. but its WMP 9.
ASKER
sigh. i think i'm going to give up and read for a few hours. be back later.
>> i just installed the trial version of WinDVD 6 and it works perfect.
lolzzzz means everything is started working except WMP :)
>> yes. but its WMP 9
oh yeah i meant to say that 8)
lolzzzz means everything is started working except WMP :)
>> yes. but its WMP 9
oh yeah i meant to say that 8)
>> sigh. i think i'm going to give up and read for a few hours. be back later.
why "Sigh"
DVDs are working now.... only that Compaq WinDVD is not working..... and why do u need that :-o
why "Sigh"
DVDs are working now.... only that Compaq WinDVD is not working..... and why do u need that :-o
because he need to buy ? :)
it's a trial that's work
it's a trial that's work
ASKER
>>olzzzz means everything is started working except WMP :)
and the WinDVD that i can use for free that plays more than 5 minutes of trial time :)
>>why "Sigh"
>>DVDs are working now.... only that Compaq WinDVD is not working..... and why do u need that :-o
right... they're trials and will expire, are limitec, etc... don't wnat to buy them.
and the WinDVD that i can use for free that plays more than 5 minutes of trial time :)
>>why "Sigh"
>>DVDs are working now.... only that Compaq WinDVD is not working..... and why do u need that :-o
right... they're trials and will expire, are limitec, etc... don't wnat to buy them.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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well it seem you found the solution by yourself.
so if noone against it, I would suggest a cancellation and points refunded :)
if you want to do that, please go to https://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/
and post a question worth 0 points to cancel this question
so if noone against it, I would suggest a cancellation and points refunded :)
if you want to do that, please go to https://www.experts-exchange.com/Community_Support/
and post a question worth 0 points to cancel this question
ASKER
well... ok. i did it. i guess that means nobody gets points. sorry! i *do* appreciate everyone's help though. you all had a lot of good ideas that kept me going. :)
the_gentile
the_gentile
The important thing is that your system is now working. Many of us here are not concerned about points. Just helping others.
split the points to the most accurate answers and to people you feel gave the most effort...
All the answers that said getting powerDVD and WinDVD were technically right according to your original question spec: playing DVDs on your PC...
All the answers that said getting powerDVD and WinDVD were technically right according to your original question spec: playing DVDs on your PC...
Try to find " The SLD Codec Pack "! I know that it´s not made anymore, and no support, but it let´s you watch all your movies !
If you can´t find it, I´ll be pleased to send it to you !
Best Regards !
If you can´t find it, I´ll be pleased to send it to you !
Best Regards !
Have u installled these ones..... these are the most common Codecs !!!!
DivX Codecs:
http://www.divx.com/
Xvid Codecs:
http://www.divx-digest.com/software/xvid.html
!! GOOD LUCK !!