When you buy a new computer with a DVD. Is it supposed to not work?

[RSI]

Sorry for mlahhing so much the last half hour, but I gotta unload all my Qs before I go off to class, or go do my math homework before math class.


So yeah, my friend just bought his new computer (Tbird 1333MHz, 256MB ram, DVD, GF2, 40GB hd, 17", whatever) and everything seems ok. Except that he can't play DVDs! He has his DVD player and a few DVD movies. All his CDs work fine, but his DVDs won't play. It says something about not having a decoder? PCfriendly (or something along those lones) software came with one of the DVD movies, or with his computer. It won't play. I tried downloading some DVD software from download.com, and that didn't work either. Just wanted to find out what was wrong for him, if there's a simple answer I can just email him and tell him what to do.

So do you have a clue? Can I "get a decoder" or something? Does he have to BUY something more to get his DVD to work? That'd be pretty lame, buy a computer w/a DVD and then have to pay more.. ha.

-RSI

 

[RSI]

Well I gotta go. If you can help me just drop me an email! Thanks.

-RSI

 

[SinNisTeR]

is he getting errors? i remember having that same prob, what OS? my prob was under win2k and with the aspi layers, if this ends up being your prob.. go to yahoo and search forceaspi, that will do the trick, hope taht helps.

 

[spaceman]

u need either a hardware dvd decoder or software like windvd etc. to play the movies.

 

[MF1]

<< u need either a hardware dvd decoder or software like windvd etc. to play the movies. >>



follow ncircle's suggestion.

 

[KeyserSoze]

Try this site for a lot of helpful info:


7th Zone

They have a lot of downloads, and info.

Lemme kno if that helped.


KeyserSoze

 

[Pocatello]

Yeah, you need a hardware or software decoder.

 

[RSI]

So, computer stores sell their DVD-equipped computers without the required hardware/software to properly play DVD movies?

-RSI

 

[Generalen]

<< So, computer stores sell their DVD-equipped computers without the required hardware/software to properly play DVD movies? >>



Often it's coming with your videocard, on the same cd as the drivers and stuff or on a seperat disk but in some cases oem resellers keep the cd's with those stuffs on. Or all the things in the computer was OEM parts without those disks.
Maybe!

 

[CuriousAndy]

software decodes are much better than hardware because of their flexibility and various upgradibility

may i suggest Power DVD I use it all the time and it's GREAT (decodes true 5.1 surround with my BA4800)

WinDVD is good as well but I don't know from experience.

~andy

 

[clarkmo]

Considering he doesn't know anything about decoder's at all I'd say one came with his system. He just has to find it.

 

[juiio]

<< Considering he doesn't know anything about decoder's at all I'd say one came with his system. He just has to find it. >>



I agree 100%.

 

[PG]

The problem could be that PC Friendly software. That stuff is crap. I have a Hollywood Plus DVD decoder card myself, and I can't even begin to tell you all the problems I have had with PC Friendly. That name is wrong, it isn't even remotely friendly.
If I use the software that came with the H+ decoder card, then I'm OK, but if I try to use that PCFriendly software, my computer might hang or I get errors.

1. Uninstall the PC Friendly software.
2. Use any other software and/or hardware to view the movie.
Then you should be OK.