I can't play DVDs

[dev]

/Kaite/ said:

Every time i try to play a DVD, I get a message saying i do not have a
compatible DVD decoder installed. I used to be able to play DVDs and now I
cant. How can I fix this? I dont not want to have to pay for anything
either.

Examine the software that came with your video card, or the package that
came bundled with the PC. There may be a video player included, and
installing it should reinstall the codec.

 

[Guest]

Every time i try to play a DVD, I get a message saying i do not have a
compatible DVD decoder installed. I used to be able to play DVDs and now I
cant. How can I fix this? I dont not want to have to pay for anything
either.

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

1. Open XP's "Help and Support Center"
2. Type DVD in the search box, hit enter.
3. Click on "DVD Troubleshooter".
4. You probably need a new DVD decoder or reinstall the one you had.

DVD Support in Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/windowsxp/dvdplay.aspx

DVD Decoders for Windows XP
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/windowsxp/buypacks.aspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

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:

| Every time i try to play a DVD, I get a message saying i do not have a
| compatible DVD decoder installed. I used to be able to play DVDs and now I
| cant. How can I fix this? I dont not want to have to pay for anything
| either.

 

[Guest]

Carey is correct that Microsoft's Media Player requires a special "codec" to
play DVDs -- there are also open-source media players (i.e. videolan.org)
that will play back DVDs.

 

[bxf]

Free players that play DVDs include Media Player Classic and VLC
Player. Also, FFDSHOW (also free) can be configured to process MPEG2s
so that it can be used with just about any player that does not have a
builtin MPEG2 decoder.