Reformatted Dell Dimension 5150C will not play DVDs
I reformatted the mentioned Dell PC and now it will not play DVDs. I have Installed PowerDVD from disc, I have installed the driver for the DVD drive, but still it will not work. Neither Windows media player nor PowerDVD will not play DVDs. What am I doing wrong? Thanks.
ASKER
Hi Adam, thanks for you reply...
The drive is shown in device manager and works perfectly except for when trying to play DVDs where the software application PowerDVD/WMP will open but nothing happens. The DVDs I have tried work perfectly on an identical PC which has not been reformatted.
No wiring has been changed, and all looks good inside.
The drive is shown in device manager and works perfectly except for when trying to play DVDs where the software application PowerDVD/WMP will open but nothing happens. The DVDs I have tried work perfectly on an identical PC which has not been reformatted.
No wiring has been changed, and all looks good inside.
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ASKER
Thanks for further info Adam,
I have just tried a data DVD in the same drive which worked perfectly. That makes me think it is certainly a software/driver/decoder/co
I have just tried a data DVD in the same drive which worked perfectly. That makes me think it is certainly a software/driver/decoder/co
ok.. well this narrows it.. Just make sure a removal of all old drivers etc first is completed.. You dont want confliction.. even more issues!
ASKER
Thanks Adam,
All the old drivers etc were removed in the formatting.
Any ideas anyone?
All the old drivers etc were removed in the formatting.
Any ideas anyone?
The probability of this is quite low, and I don't want to get your hopes up too much, but if you can find the i386 folder on the restore disk, you can run SFC /scannow from the command line interpreter to restore all the system files which may "kick it" into action..
or.. try bringing the disk up in device manager, clicking properties.. and see what is ticked.. may be the dvd functionality is disabled..?
or.. try bringing the disk up in device manager, clicking properties.. and see what is ticked.. may be the dvd functionality is disabled..?
Dells use a cheap DVD, it could just be going, as noted above. If so, get a SONY, the best.
If you are using widows XP, you do not need any drivers for a DVD. I would recommend you uninstall those drivers -- it is likely your problem. Also Power DVD could be the problem, trying to use its own drivers which are conflicting with XPs correct drivers for the device. Try uninstalling Power DVD and all drivers in the system, except the original MS ones. Steps --
remove all dvd recording software
reboot.
go into device mangler, and remove the DVD drive (drivers will go this way.)
reboot.
Install the trial of MagicISO -- www.magicIso.com -- put in a DVD and analyze it. Try data and video. If the correct folders show, it should play fine. NOw try WMP, or install another simple video player than power DVD.
If you are using widows XP, you do not need any drivers for a DVD. I would recommend you uninstall those drivers -- it is likely your problem. Also Power DVD could be the problem, trying to use its own drivers which are conflicting with XPs correct drivers for the device. Try uninstalling Power DVD and all drivers in the system, except the original MS ones. Steps --
remove all dvd recording software
reboot.
go into device mangler, and remove the DVD drive (drivers will go this way.)
reboot.
Install the trial of MagicISO -- www.magicIso.com -- put in a DVD and analyze it. Try data and video. If the correct folders show, it should play fine. NOw try WMP, or install another simple video player than power DVD.
sorry -- STEP 1 -- go into device manager, highlight the DVD drive, right click properties, go to the drivers tab, and note down any / all drivers being used. THEN --
remove all dvd recording software AND playing software not a part of the OS.
Now check for any drivers remaining in the system32 directory structure. If they are not of the right MS XP service pack date, they are probably add-on drivers. Move them to another folder --
then continue
remove all dvd recording software AND playing software not a part of the OS.
Now check for any drivers remaining in the system32 directory structure. If they are not of the right MS XP service pack date, they are probably add-on drivers. Move them to another folder --
then continue
Check all wiring internally if it is not showing.
If it is, advise updating drivers/firmware from the manafacturer. if still no avail, try making sure there are no jumpers in the back of the device.. should be empty ie ::::::