DVDs sometimes won't play

I'm on XP and using WMP 11. The problem I've got is that sometimes my PC will play a DVD but sometimes it won't and then I can mess about for ages trying to get it to play. I don't know why this is.

Also, one of my DVDs almost always won't play (although I have managed to play it a couple of times). These are all commercial DVDs that I've bought.

Anybody got any suggestions as to what the problem might be?

Thanks.

 

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• Will it play with VLC?

 

Hi and thanks for your help. However, I've already tried that download but it made no difference. I've also downloaded VLC but I have the same problems with that.

 

you can try to reset the DMA if you've been getting errors when trying to play disc's with a little wear or scratches on the playing surface,some roms are very sensitive to the slightest flaw and may cause the atapi controllers to revert to "pio"settings that by default can even filter out the playing of pristine disc,or you may have incompatible reg settings left over from the previous unit that was replaced,you can run the dvd fix in safe mode,one way is to power off, disconnect the sata or ide plug from the unit(s) restart,run the fix in safe mode,power off,reconnect the sata or ide and maybe windows will recognize the drives as new hardware after a restart . the forum will not allow me to re-upload the file,but here is the link to them http://forums.majorgeeks.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=155111&d=1298947225 run the DMA reset first ,and if that doesn't work try the dvd fix again as i have suggested.

 

I'll have to swot up on some of the terms you used ie. DMA, sata, ide :confused but I'll definitely try what you've suggested.

Thanks very much for your help and I'll let you know how I get on.

 

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/hardware/gg463526
http://www.onthegosoft.com/dma_setting_nt.htm

 

pistol, can I just say: you're a star!!!

I've been messing around and spending hours and hours on this problem for literally weeks now. I've lost count of the number of times I've uninstalled and then reinstalled Windows Media Player 11, downloaded other media players, codecs and all sorts of fixes that people have suggested and then you point me to something that is (or at least seems to be) so simple and straightforward ie. a DMA reset and it's worked brilliantly.

The DVD that would hardly ever play seems to be still very slightly temperamental (I'm not sure if it gets confused by my just ejecting the DVD without stopping it by pressing the button on the on-screen player) but I've played it maybe 7 or 8 times and it's only failed to play once - but then did the next time. And no problems with my other DVDs and CDs.

Thank you very much for your help, I really do appreciate it.

 

thank you,good to hear that you got it working ,but it was satrow(major geek extraordinaire),who enlightened me on the DMA reset,so all credit goes to him,that enabled me to pass it on to whomever was experiencing the same issue.

 

Well, in that case thank you to both of you for your help - it was much appreciated!