dvd's won't play

Hello - working on my dad's laptop, xp professional, windows media player.

First message was that dvds would not play due to lack of decoder. Based on other threads, installed what looked like the fix: VistaCodecs_v581.exe

Now I am receiving a new error message: "Windows Media Player cannot play DVD video. You might need to adjust your Windows display settings. Open display settings in Control Panel, and then try lowering your screen resolution and color quality settings."

I tried all possible permutations of those changes, still the same error message persists.

Didn't see a like situation in another thread, didn't want to persist wrong-headedly. Thank you in advance for any guidance. MG rocks.

 

Hmm, I don't know of that codecs package but I know XP didn't ship with a DVD decoder as standard, except during the Beta phase :confused.

I'd uninstall that codecs package and use VLC player, I believe it plays DVD's by default but I don't think it'll allow WMP to play them.

 

Satrow, thanks -- this works a treat! Only one issue ... it requires me to choose my action via menu:
play dvd with windows media player
play dvd with vlc
or something else
and else.

A-OK for me, but that's actually a little much for dad to have to do these days ... just need a 'put in a disc and it goes' solution. is there such a thing?

thanks in advance -- again!

 

Hmm, there should be a way of setting VLC as default media player for certain types, I don't have an XP machine to hand now, check the options/preferences in VLC?

 

Too slow to edit my last post

http://wiki.videolan.org/How_to_make_VLC_the_default_player#Windows

 

Re: dvd's won't play - now gmail doesn't load

Loaded VLC as suggested, test runs were fine. Sat down last night with Dad for first major "viewing" -- 2 errors messages, both saying VLC had crashed. Tried reloading disc a couple of times. Disc eventually loaded, but no sound. Another trial, same results. Checked system and VLC sound settings, all at or near maximum volume (Dad is hard of hearing).

Rebooted system (XP Professional), reloaded disc. and VLC operated normally, though a bit slow to open.

This morning, a new development; do not know if it is related. Normally, Dad double-clicks Google Chrome, and goes right into the inbox of his Gmail acct. This morning, he is back at the sign-in screen, which he says he has never seen (we do have a tech who automated a bunch of stuff, but I don't know what he might have done here), and the password taped over the desk isn't working, nor is the message to the cell phone from google to reset the password going through. And Dad ... is hollering for me and pointing at the dvd of Big Bang Theory.

Yikes. :cry Posting this in software because that's where the problem started; if I need to be in another area just say the word. :confused TIA, Major Geeks.

 

Auto-login to webmail sites maybe controlled by either cookies or the 'remember me' feature in the browser. I can't think of anything media player related that would affect the login.

 

I can't either, satrow ... thanks. running malwarebytes now, but nothing's coming up on that, either.

Was hoping somebody knew something -- otherwise, the gmail reset is a bear sans text, since i don't know account start date and he won't remember it, either.

thanks for all your help with this, satrow ... you rock. let me know if there's anything else i should be thinking of ...
thanks again,
xllurgy

 

Several points:
1. You installed the Vista Codec pack on XP. You need the XP Codec pack.
I use the KLite Codec Pack (Full)
Un-install the Vista Codec Pack and install the correct one for your OS.

2. Have you got Media Player 11, yet? You should be at that level, at least,
if you're running XP-Pro.

3. Has your DVD player ever played DVD's correctly or is this a new problem?

4. In rare instances, a CD/DVD player may stop reading one type of disk.
I have a ten year old Toshiba laptop that has totally stopped reading CD's., but plays DVD's just fine.

Good Luck to you!
:cool

 

@ The Shadow: read the 2nd post

xllurgy has fixed the DVD issue but there's a new problem where a previously auto-logging Gmail in Chrome is refusing the password.

 

I'd love to help, but I don't use Chrome and only use Outlook Express to download and read my Gmail. Sorry!

 

so ... want to follow protocol. maybe best is to start a new thread on the gmail q? thx.

 

I thought that too, but as a mere Corporal, I didn't think it was my place to say anything. That's above my pay grade.

Shadow :cool

 

thanks, Shadow. buck private, here. will do