DVD freezes!!!!

[dcandage]

I have a Creative PC DVD Encore12X dvd rom. It came with the DXR3 decoder card. I originally installed it in my machine when I had W98se (card never worked). Now I have XP Home (I removed the card) and it still freezes about half-way through a dvd. I made it through one a couple of weeks ago. But it did stutter and stumble. I thought it was going to freeze, but it made it. I had Creative's software installed first. No go. Uninstalled it before the XP upgrade. Tried using Ravisent dvd software next because it came with my Elsa Gladiac MX video card. I just tried installing Fusionsoft dvd software (freeware) and still freezes. I have an Athlon 600 and 384 MB ram. A Soundblaster Live card.

Ready to throw the machine out the window!

Dave Candage

[bailey]

and your question is---?

[glc]

Doesn't Windows Media Player play DVD's in XP? Is DMA enabled on the drive?

[dcandage]

Ok. The question. I was wondring if what I wrote actually made sense. I want to know why DVD's freeze when I play them, and how to fix this problem. Yes, Media player will play DVD's, but you have to have a codec installed first (which come with players). But if I have a player, why use Media Player? And it freezes, too. Also, yes, DMA is enabled (Ultra DMA Mode 2).

Thankx,
Dave

[prof_gonzo]

hey, dcandage!

Looks like u are not alone with this problem. m 2, and other guys i met in other forums, have same issue with DXR3 card. Looks like this is happening with DVD's & SVCD's as well. Disc plays ok up to 30 minutes or so, and then stops suddenly (not freezing, actually, but ceasing to play). I use WinMe - couldn't make a living between WinXP & DXR3, always had problems, freezing and stuff, Creative even does not have a proper driver for XP, it's a beta. Installed Real Magic Hollywood Plus drivers & player from SigmaDesign, I used before the original Creative Player & drivers and I was not very happy with them. Both cases, the same story. The only paleative, which is not a real solution to the problem, is to make a re-boot and try playing again the disc. In other forums, it was suggested to use PowerDVD or WinDVD. I use them, but I want to see the movie on my TV, so I have to go with the card player. Obviously, this is a hardware issue, and I couldn't find any support at Sigma or Creative, or in another place. If anybody found something that works (else than re-boot), please help.

[dcandage]

I don't even use the DXR3 card. I uninstalled it shortly after upgrading to XP. Still doesn't work. I've tried a few different players, too. Ibthink someone suggested having my CD-RW and DVD ROM on different ribbon connectors. Haven't tried that yet. Rebooting very rarely ever worked for me.

Dave

[prof_gonzo]

Hey, Dave!
XP and DXR3 are not good friends. I tried XP, but, after several frustrating nights spent to make "peace" between my hardware components & XP, I gave up, and went back to WinMe. Except this funny behaviour of DXR3, everything else is working fine. I prefer to have the DXR3 and see movied on TV, than having XP, which is, still, full of bugs (see Windows Update feature for XP, which reccommends the download & install of some 18 patches of some 30 Mb). When XP will be getting to a Second Edition, then I'll reconsider.

Now, for the good news: since my last post, I got across this link http://www.americas.creative.com/support/kbase/article.asp?ID=709&Centric=111 , which may help. I am not, presently, able to test all the solutions suggested in the article, since I am on a business trip for 2 weeks, but I thought you might have a look.