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    DVD Drive no decoder available

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Tesla220, Aug 27, 2007.

  1. Tesla220

    Tesla220 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I can use a little help here if anyone has a minute. My 6400 Inspiron has an Optiarc AD 5540A DVD drive.
    I just did a clean install on my HD switching from Vista Home to XP pro SP2. I did this because 2 of my programs I must use at work will not be compatable with Vista for some time. All went well, the only problem I have is the DVD does not work and comes up with a message stating that there is no decoder available. The CD option does operate. Does this mean I have to Flash my DVD drive or just get the software? Evidently it is NOT in SP2. For that matter is this "flash" the drive software and is it also the decoder? Dell is at a loss as they had a hard time just believing I had the 5540A drive let alone know what the machine needs.
    I'm no computer expert for sure so I dont know if there is a difference between the flash, the software and the decoder.
    Any help appreciated.
     
    Tesla220, Aug 27, 2007
    #1
  2. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    xp codec pack, k-lite codec pack, vlc ...
    tried those yet?

    cheers ...
     
    qhn, Aug 27, 2007
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  3. Tesla220

    Tesla220 Notebook Enthusiast

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    No I have not. Is this XP codec pack something just drivers or do I have to flash my dvd drive?
    Also I assume I can do a google search and find this stuff. I will try that now.

    Thanks, Ken
     
    Tesla220, Aug 27, 2007
    #3
  4. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    You need to install a DVD playing program, like PowerDVD or something. VLC is another player that will play DVD's, but it won't allow you to play DVD's from Windows Media Player. The problem is that DVD's are copy protected, and you need to pay for a player license in order to play DVD movies. Those programs will almost always ship with a new computer.
     
    Pitabred, Aug 27, 2007
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  5. Sykotic

    Sykotic Notebook Evangelist

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    Your Dell 6400 shave have came with media direct 3.0
     
    Sykotic, Aug 28, 2007
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  6. Tesla220

    Tesla220 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yep it did. I just read the instructions and it appears that I was to have set up the hard drive for media direct before installing the XP. I erased the partition so now I am not sure that the media direct would install unless I start the process all over again from formating the hard drive. Would this media direct also contain a driver that allows playing DVD media while windows is booted up?
     
    Tesla220, Aug 28, 2007
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  7. Paul

    Paul Mom! Hot Pockets! NBR Reviewer

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    Find the CD that came with your laptop that had PowerDVD on it, and install that. You'll be good to go. It's just software, just a DVD decoder; no flashing of your DVD drive is necessary (can you even do this?). If you can't find it, you may have to order a new one from Dell. Barring that, VLC should work fine.

    If you want MediaDirect back, you will have to fix your computer. There should be a guide on how to do this in the Dell section.
     
    Paul, Aug 28, 2007
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  8. Tesla220

    Tesla220 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I did the k-lite codec pack thing, works fine now. I will however look for the PowerDVD software too. The XP codec pack actually diddent work so well as the video was stuttery.
    Thanks guys,
    Ken
     
    Tesla220, Aug 28, 2007
    #8