New CPU wont play dvds

So I have a new pc with windows XP SP2 Home that I installed myself, an above average graphics card, and a Acer 19' widescreen monitor that has a resolution of 1440x900.

For whatever reason, it doesn't want to play DVDs or any video type for that matter. When I had it first installed, WMP v.10 played online videos fine, but not DVDs. Upgraded to v.11 now means NOTHING can be played. And its not just one but any dvd.

I've tried at least 15 different free trial dvd players, searching through download.com for the better ones. (Blaze DVD player was the only one that actually worked, though it took a lot of effort and it never wanted to play on simply inserting the disc, and even crashed three times through the course of a movie) Even have software for nicer players from discs installed (InterActual, DivX, InterVideo, etc.) Nothing works.

I am starting to wonder if it has to do with the codec. One of the players suggested changing video resolution to 800x600 (which didn't do anything and made the screen look tiny) which made me think that it has to be something I'm missing, otherwise typical troubleshooting would help.

I don't know much about codecs though, and this is a custom built computer so there's not much in way of customer service, obviously. Any help would be greatly appreciated, whether its a suggested player, or a download to fix it.

 

NEC.

This is basically the same one:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1649374&CatId=89

 

hmm, try VLC http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4674

if it works in VLC, you probably do just have codec issues. If it doesnt work in VLC, you have further issues (drivers possibly?)

just an FYI, VLC is a self contained media player that uses it own provided codecs, so it doesnt matter what else is on your system. It plays nearly all file types, including DVD and VCD.

 

Thank you SOO much. No reason to bother with all the other ones, VLC works just fine