Can DVDs play smoothly in XP with 240 ram?

[Guest]

My Toshiba Satellite laptop only has 240 MB of ram (1.20 GHz) and I'm
assuming that's why DVDs cannot play very smoothly? Or is there some other
secret to it? I don't want to upgrade the memory if it wouldn't solve the
problem. The CD/DVD player is SD-C2502.

Any help appreciated (I can't stand watching jittery DVDs)!
TimLewis

 

[Paul Randall]

I have no jitters on my 900 MHZ Celeron, 128 MB Sony laptop.

-Paul Randall

 

[oztrailrider]

My Toshiba Satellite laptop only has 240 MB of ram (1.20 GHz) and I'm
assuming that's why DVDs cannot play very smoothly? Or is there som
other
secret to it? I don't want to upgrade the memory if it wouldn't solv
the
problem. The CD/DVD player is SD-C2502.

Any help appreciated (I can't stand watching jittery DVDs)!
TimLewis

I would suggest making sure no unnecessary programs are running in th
background when you want to watch a DVD. Try to close whatever you ca
to free up as much RAM as possible

 

[Guest]

Yes I have tried this (turning off all other programs--including Google
Desktop and antivirus programs and Firewall)! The problem has existed ever
since I first purchased the computer.
Tim Lewis

 

[Unknown]

While the CVD is playing click the task bar and select task manager to see
if you can find some other program/service running.

 

[R. McCarty]

If at some point the optical drive experienced errors in reading a
disk it's possible that XP has used a method of lowering the native
operating mode of the drive to a slower method called PIO. Once
this is done the drive will stay in that non-optimal mode until it's
re-detected and uses the UDMA mode the drive reports itself as
being capable of running.

Usually, you can check the mode from the Advanced properties
tab of the Primary or Secondary controller in Device Manager
under the ATAPI/IDE controller section. The Taps ( M/S ) will
show their current operating mode.

 

[Guest]

Device 0 for the Primary IDE Channel is currently running in Ultra DMA Mode 4
(Device 1 says "not applicable" in both channels)
Device 0 for the Secondary IDE Channel is currently in PIO mode so I
selected "DMA if available". Hasn't shifted the mode (or behaviour) yet
however, so I'll try rebooting and see. . .here's hoping,
Tim Lewis

 

[Guest]

Still remains in PIO mode after reboot. No success here. Thanks anyway, any
more ideas?
TimLewis

 

[R. McCarty]

To force a redetection of the Optical you need to uninstall the controller
( Secondary ) and then reboot the PC. Since it's a DVD optical be sure
to set it's playback Region code after the new instance is found.

 

[Guest]

It worked! Just as according to advice of R. McCarty, thank you!
TimLewis