DVD will not play

[Alan]

I had a bad DVD-RW drive in a Dell XP 1710. Dell sent me a
replacement. After a deletion from the registry and restart, I could
play audio CDs and get to data CDs. However, I cannot play a DVD
(first time I tried it since getting laptop).

Dell recommends doing a PC Restore, which will mean I lost the
data, software and user accounts on the laptop. Anybody have a better
idea as to what I might try before such drastic measures?

Thanks, Alan

 

[Justin]

I had a bad DVD-RW drive in a Dell XP 1710. Dell sent me a
replacement. After a deletion from the registry and restart, I could
play audio CDs and get to data CDs. However, I cannot play a DVD
(first time I tried it since getting laptop).

Dell recommends doing a PC Restore, which will mean I lost the
data, software and user accounts on the laptop. Anybody have a better
idea as to what I might try before such drastic measures?

Thanks, Alan

Which application are you trying to use to play the DVD? I'm assuming this
is a DVD movie? What error does it give you?

 

[Alan]

I double clicked on its icon from Computer, and it asked if I
wanted to prepare a blank disc. When I do this on data or audio CDs,
I see their contents.

I heard that perhaps my edition of Vista (Business) does not have a
DVD decoder. Alan

 

[Justin]

I double clicked on its icon from Computer, and it asked if I
wanted to prepare a blank disc. When I do this on data or audio CDs,
I see their contents.

I heard that perhaps my edition of Vista (Business) does not have a
DVD decoder. Alan

That is correct. Only Home Premium and Ultimate come with a DVD decoder.

If you want a simple cheap solution that works with Windows Media Player
then I recommend:

http://www.cyberlink.com/vista_plugin/dvd/enu/pdvdse_index.jsp

or

http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/cineplayer/vista/overview.html

 

[Alan]

Justin,
Thanks for the links. Alan

 

[Justin]

Justin,
Thanks for the links. Alan

You're welcome.