Computer Hope

Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Alera on September 30, 2008, 08:51:15 AM

Title: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Alera on September 30, 2008, 08:51:15 AM
I'm using a Dell XPS 410, with Windows XP.  It is about a year old now.  I had never really tried to use it to play store bought DvD's untill today but when I tried my computer had problems.  First it did not play it automatically.  When I manaually started it Windows Media Player said unknow DvD, thne my computer crashed and gave me a blue screen.  I tried another DvD and had the same problem.
I went to Dells website and tried to download new drivers but I was not sure what to get and what I tried did nothing.
Video games on DvD install fine and CDs with music or video on them play fine as well.  Might anyone know what I could do to fix the problem?
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on September 30, 2008, 11:42:59 PM
If you go to Device Manager, are there any Yellow Question or Exclamation Marks?

Also, have you ever been able to access/watch DVD's?
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Alera on October 01, 2008, 05:36:38 AM
No everything in the device manager looks normal.  And oddly enough this was the first time I tried to play a DVD.  And it has played CDs and even video games on DVD's fine.

If it helps I also got the DVD drive model number fro mthe device manager, Optiarc DVD+-RW AD-5170S.

Could it be that there is some driver somewhere I am missing?
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on October 01, 2008, 05:47:19 AM
Go to the Dell Website, go to Downloads and Drivers and then look for your exact laptop model number.
Once located, look for drivers.
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Alera on October 01, 2008, 08:13:21 AM
That was one of the first things I tried.  But I cant find any drivers for that specific DVD drive.  I looked on the list under my model and none of those are the kind I have.
I tried looking at that specifc brands website but under the driver section there was a big warning saying they would not function for certain computers (including Dell).
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on October 01, 2008, 08:15:53 AM
Sure you looked here?
http://supportapj.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?os=WW1&osl=EN&catid=32&impid=-1&servicetag=&SystemID=XPS_M140&hidos=WW1&hidlang=en&TabIndex=
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Alera on October 01, 2008, 08:23:03 AM
Yup that is exactly where I checked.  I read through every one listed there...
Which is why Im so confused with what could be causing the problem.
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Broni on October 01, 2008, 09:17:42 PM
XP doesn't need any extra drivers for optical drives.
I think, your problem is with (garbage) Windows Media Player.
Try VLC player: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/, and see if same thing happens.

As for autoplay...
Download, and run (double click) fix.bat: Click here (http://z2.invisionfree.com/ComputerHelp/index.php?showtopic=402)
Restart computer.
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Alera on October 02, 2008, 05:54:45 AM
I just tried that and it worked.  Thanks for the help ^_^
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on October 02, 2008, 06:01:36 AM
Good job, the both of you. :)
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Broni on October 02, 2008, 06:32:22 PM
I'm glad it worked, but you owe us some explanation :)
What exactly worked? VLC, AND patch?
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Alera on October 02, 2008, 08:31:52 PM
The VLC.  I downloaded that and everything is playing perfectly on it.
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Broni on October 02, 2008, 08:54:54 PM
Thanks :) What about autoplay?
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Alera on October 03, 2008, 05:43:30 AM
I auctually never tried that since the first thing worked >_<;
All DvDs seem to play on their own jsut fine now though.
I'm guessing it was just because I hat WMP set as my default before.
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Carbon Dudeoxide on October 03, 2008, 05:56:02 AM
As long as the problem is solved. ;)
Title: Re: DvD's make my computer crash when played
Post by: Broni on October 03, 2008, 06:38:46 PM
Very good :)