I used to watch DVD's on my laptop but then formated and can't. What program or driver do i need?

[foolanger]

I have a dell latitude D505 and used to watch dvd's on it. I had a virus so formated it and now can't watch dvds anymore. What software or driver do i need?

 

[Lord Evermore]

You need a DVD decoder application or plug-in for Windows Media Player. Your system probably came with WinDVD. If you don't have a software CD that came with the system, which allows you to manually install that one program, (or the system restore disc that re-images the hard drive to the original configuration) you're stuck. You might be able to get one from Dell but it'll probably cost you. And since it's probably an older version, and an OEM version at that, you probably can't just download a trial version and enter a registration key or anything.

If you just want to buy one, WinDVD, PowerDVD and some others are available.

 

[JasonE4]

Here's a free one...

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

It has played every single video file that I've thrown at it. It's open source and very popular.

 

[yukichigai]

You can also install the K-Lite Codec Pack to get a generic DVD Decoder that will let whatever media player you use (Windows Media Player, Media Player Classic, hell even Winamp) play DVDs.

 

[pikachu656]

Originally posted by: JasonE4
Here's a free one...

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

It has played every single video file that I've thrown at it. It's open source and very popular.

I agree. I haven't come across a video file that it can't open.