dvd decoder

Hi all, new to the board and still learning my way round my new Windows Vista Basic system. My previous laptop operated on Xp and I had no probs with playing dvds. Now I get a message saying WMP cannot play dvd because I haven't got a compatible dvd decoder. They suggest a couple of products but can I download any compatible one for free. Can't use this spanish keyboard either for brackets or questionmarks but guess I'll get there eventually! Really grateful for any replies.

 

In addition to Halo's suggestion, there are several other media players that should handle DVDs....
VLC http://www.majorgeeks.com/VLC_media_player_d4674.html
KLiteMega Codec Pack (includes codecs and Media Player Classic) http://www.majorgeeks.com/K-Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack_d5230.html
GOMPlayer http://www.majorgeeks.com/Gom_Player_d5595.html
Media Player Classic (updated today) http://www.majorgeeks.com/Media_Player_Classic_for_Windows_2000XP_d5782.html

 

Hello and thanks for your replies , halo and dlb.
Downloaded Halo's suggestion and now get a different message. Firstly, tells me to go to Display settings and adjust the resolution as it may need to be lower. Done this and still get the message.
When I click the alternative box for 'Web help' takes me to Windows Media and says I've ' encountered error message C00D116A '. Any further advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Probably won't help, but try updating/re-installing your graphics card drivers (right click on My Computer or Computer, then select Manage, then click on Device Manager on the left, then expand Display Adapters, then right on your graphics card...). You could also look around in the Settings Application (from shark007) and try changing some of those options.

Otherwise, just concede to using something like VLC Player (or pay and get the DVD decoder from Roxio, Sonic, Cyberlink, or Corel).