Can't run some DVDs on my computer

Harvey here...

I was just wondering if someone knows the answer to my question. This is the first time I have ever come across this problem. I borrowed my friends latest DVD (Matrix Reload) and tried to play it on my computer but no luck! It plays perfectly fine on a DVD player but when it comes to playing on a computer, it doesn't. I tried using two different softwares for playing the DVD. The first software that I tried was WinDVD 5 Platinum and the second was Interplay. And still the DvD wasn't playing. The DVD drive on my computer is by Toshiba and is about 1.5 to 2 years old. I am using WinXP Pro and have 512mb of memory. I have all the latest updates for my computer but still no go on the DVD ( Matrix Reloaded). And I just found out the other day that Robin Hood by Disney will not run on my computer either. But all other DVDs will run. Could someone PLEASE explain where I am going wrong????
Many Thanks...For allowing me to borrow some brain waves

 

thats weird

 

I have a DVD that won't play on computer.

Not sure there is much you can do about it.

 

Hey,

I came across a problem like this for me a while back. For me i couldn't run Goonies DVD. Now this may not be your problem, but i'm willing to bet it is, and if it is, there is no fix without money. sorry.

The deal is that a while back DVDs were simple, and dvd drives were simple for the simple dvds. Then one day it was found that they could double encode on one side of a dvd and put twice as much information on one dvd. Only problem is, most of the old drives were not compatible with this new development since it requires certain hardware additions in order to read the dvd. You can tell if your dvd is double-coded (or whatever it was called) by one of two or three methods:

1) if you look at the data-side, it is goldish, and/or you notice that it has this sort of smeared paint look to it at the right angle.

2) if you read the inner ring and notice two copyright dates...

3) because they may have both cropped format and wide-screen format of the movie on the same disc, one side. If this feature is offered on the dvd, and only one side of the disc is a dataside, it's probably double-encoded.

Sorry if this is the case. Supposedly i read somewhere that most computer manufacturers were supposed to offer free upgrades (or hidden free upgrades by asking directly) for this "defect" in the hardware. particularly if the drive was sold to you so close to the dvd change.

o Draith

 

You nailed it on the head

Right off the back, you nailed it with #1. It is goldish in color and if I turn it just a little bit, it looks smear. Appreciate the input

 

Heh, I must've been reading too much tonight, I looked at your post and saw goldfish instead of goldish...i also looked at my post and noticed that i really should proof what i write before i post. oy. How many times can i write dvd in one sentence? I'm very sorry for the poor eloquence, and very sorry you can't run your dvd on your comp. None the less i hope you have a very merry whatever holiday you celebrate this time of year.

ciao!
o Draith

 

That makes two of us!
Now, Draith, you really made me laugh aloud, because at first reading I also saw GOLDFISH.