I'm new here, so I don't mean to be breaking any rules. I tried to find someone with the same problem as mine, but I was reading the same posts over and over (I think.) As my subject line says, I'm TOTALLY computer illiterate and I don't understand the computer language most use on here, so please excuse me if it seems a simple solution to you..it's all greek to me. My problem is that my DVD drive won't play purchased movies or cd's, or anything else as far as I'm aware. It USED to work..I think I got to watch ONE movie on it, and now it doesn't work. Is there such a thing as a trial version of software that comes with the computer? I bought a "new"/used version of PowerDVD 5.0 off of E-Bay and downloaded it, but it still doesn't work. I've downloaded CODECS, DirectX, etc. (Remember..I don't know what I'm doing so I try anything that anyone suggests.) I tried to get help online, and they suggest that I just buy a new computer. I've also tried to re-boot and reformat my computer, but the bootable CD that came with our computer (an e-machine), doesn't work, either. Our computer is an e-machine, Windows XP Home Edition, with a Samsung DVD player. I found that our computer DVD doesn't work as a result of not being able to play any DVD's on the portable player I just got for Christmas. It sounds like it (the "reader"?) just keeps zipping across the DVD. But that's another topic. I would appreciate any help you can give. And please be patient. Thank you.
I just realized that I might have put this in the wrong forum. I'm not trying to burn DVD's, but just watch them. Do I need to move my question? I'm sorry if I'm doing this wrong.
It could be a number of problems. One, it may be a broken/bad DVD drive. Does it burn play music CDs? Also, sometimes DVDs have a hard time playing on computers, due to anti-piracy coding. (Some cases, I've found this to be true) A new computer?! Wow, that's pretty out there. If anything, you might need to buy a new DVD drive. ($25 average)
Moved to playback forum. What is the name of a movie you are trying to watch on your PC? Download and try either VLC or media player classic from our download section and see if they bring you any joy.
The old Media Player didn't work, so now I'm downloading vlc. I'm trying to watch The Wizard of Oz..a brand new one, or have tried music cd's. It doesn't recognize ANYthing in the drive. It says, "A disc with an unsupported format in drive E". This is VERY frustrating for someone who has NO clue about computers. I want to just re-format my whole computer and start all over, but the reboot CD that came with this e-machine doesn't work, either. (Sigh).
Do you have all of the XP windows updates ? and media player 11 ? the dvd drive could be bad they are a cheap throw away maybe for 30 to 60 bucks for a new burner is for you and it comes with new software that burns and plays cd's and dvd's
