Overworked DVD+RW

.....I was backing up my music collection. I guess I worked it too hard on those scratched up discs.


Laptop: HP Pavilion dv9700 Notebook

Drive: TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L632N ATA

Issue: It plays CDs fine. When I try to watch a DVD the sound skips and the screen is mostly green and pixelated (sp).

I have tried:

Several DVDs (They are not scratched)

DVDs work fine on another player

WMP plays video files just fine so I cant blame that.

Also the problem started right after failing to rip a CD that was in bad shape.

So is it safe to assume that this is a hardware problem or is there a possibility of a driver issue?

I couldn't find much as far as replacements when looking online. (Most were over $150) Tiger & Newegg didn't have much of anything.

I don't think I want to give my laptop back to HP for them to fix (warranty). I can probably slap a new DVDRW in but where are they all at??

Please advise. Thanks in advance.

 

Ebay.

DVDs require separate decoders (aka 'codecs') in order to play back correctly in a PC. Perhaps your DVD codecs have been corrupted or are just misfiring. You didn't mention what version of Windows you're running, so I'll assume it's XP. First; go to Add/Remove Programs and uninstall any DVD playback software you may have (like WinDVD or PowerDVD) and any 3rd party media players you may have (do NOT uninstall Windows Media Player if it's listed). Reboot. Run CCleaner (both hard drive and registry). Reboot. Download and install the KLite Mega codec pack. It includes DVD codecs (and many, many others) and Media Player Classic. The installation will also repair any broken codecs, or replace any broken codecs that could not be repaired. When it's done, pop in a DVD movie. If Media Player Classic opens and starts playing the movie and it plays OK, then you're done. If something else opens, close it. Then launch Media Player Classic. Click File, select Open DVD and the movie should start playing. :-D

I think the drive is OK. If it reads CDs without problems, then it should read DVDs without problems. That's why I think it's a codec issue.

I hope this works for you! Keep us posted!

[dlb]

CCleaner http://www.majorgeeks.com/CCleaner_Slim_No_Toolbar_d4191.html
KLite Mega Pack http://www.majorgeeks.com/K-Lite_Mega_Codec_Pack_d5230.html

 

The codec pack took care of my problem!

Thanks dlb. Your time is greatly appreciated.