DVD problem?

[TR]

Installed a DVD into my computer a 1ghz system running Win'95.
The DVD seems to be installed correctly. The problem seems to be when I installed Cyberlink Power DVD to view the DVD's. The install ran to successful completion. When I attempt to view a DVD I can start the Power DVD software and the interface for the program will come up on the screen. I thought the DVD should start automatically when it reads a DVD in the drive? Pressing on the play button on the controller the upper screen says play in the upper right hand corner then the screen where the DVD is to be shown seems to jump and the upper right hand corner changes to stop. The eject buton on the controller works as it knows where the DVD is for it to eject the DVD door will open for the DVD to be removed. I have add/removed and uninstalled this software three times already.
I hope it is not the drive as it seems to be working fine.
Any suggestions as to what I can now check or change to have the DVD working?

[K A Hall]

It is probably not the drive. It is more than likely a video card issue. You don't mention what kind you have, but it may not be up to playing DVD's. There are also many other players besides Power DVD so I would give them a try also. I struggled with my DVD player working correctly until I got a hardware decoder. In fact I have seen what you described. First step is try another player, WIN DVD is one that I can think of off the top if my head.

[RJ]

Possibly you have "Use Hardware decoding" enabled in PowerDVD. This wouldn't run when you don't have either a hardware decoder or hardware decoding help by the graphics card.
Open PowerDVD, go to Settings (or Configurations) and then to the video tab. Make sure that "Use Hardware" is disabled.

RJ

[TR]

Hi,
Tried the above, was already grayed out and disabled, and still not working.
What I have also noticed is that when I click on the Information tab I receive a error message: "The program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down." Clicking on close the program shuts down. Is it possible that when I did the add/remove uninstall that a file is still laying around someplace that was "not" deleted that is holding info for the proper running of the program and is causing the problems. Anyone know if there is a program that may have not been deleted when I did the uninstall?

[RJ]

What DirectX version are you using ? You have Win95, so there isn't a high version included. My PowerDVD ran fine under DirectX 7, and now it runs fine on 8. Never tried it under DirectX5 or 6.
DirectX is required because PowerDVD uses DirectShow, a part of DirectX.

If you don't know what DirectX you have, go to start and try one of the following:

dxdiag (this tool was first in DirectX 6 I think)
dxtool (this tool was up to DirectX5, maybe DirectX6)
dxinfo (together with dxtool)

No matter which one of them you have, it will inform you about your DirectX version. If you have neither of them, then you should install DirectX, i.e. Version 7.

RJ

[TR]

I have Direct Diagnostic Tool. Direct X Version: DirectX 7.0.
Under DirectX drivers I have the following.
"Several files (s3.drv, s3mm.drv, sb16snd.drv, etc.) are uncertified, which means that they have not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs. You may be able to get a certified driver from the manufacturer of the hardware device."
Is haveing certified drivers that important? If the drivers are there, even old versions shouldn't the DVD still work?
Under Display: "The file sis630m.drv is uncertified..."
Under Sound: "The file sndmid.vxd is uncertified...
The rest of the tabs state: "No problems found..."

The tab that concers me is the Input tab. It shows nothing listed under Input Devices and under Installed Drivers are listed msjstick.drv<0001> Active No
msjstick.drv<0003> Active Yes and msjstick.drv<0004> Active Yes
and in Notes it states: "No input devices detected. No problems found."

Now I am confused No input devices detected and No problems.
Shouldn't the DVD drive be detected as an Input device?
The uncertified drivers how do I obtain certified drivers?
Will the uncertified drivers cause the DVD not to work proberly?
Thank you for all your assistance.

[RJ]

Hello,

no, the certification is not that important and isn't the reason for your problems.
My graphics driver also isn't certified, and neither is the sound driver.

As for the input devices, there are only listened the game input devices, such as gamepad and joytick. Not even the mouse is listened there.
Drives aren't input devices for DirectInput.

Okay, so the DirectX version isn't the problem.

The only thing I'd think of is what K A Hall already said: The graphics card.

Which card do you have ?
And: Do you have the newest drivers for it ?

RJ

[glc]

Looks like you have a video card or chip based on the SiS 630 - this is unsuitable for what you are doing. I recommend you get an ATI video card of some sort, most of them have hardware DVD assist and come with a software DVD player, and upgrade to Windows 98.

[Xayd]

Your best bet would be an ATI all in wonder 128, but it'll run you about 80 dollars, maybe more. Add the price of the vid card and the DVD drive and you're approaching 200 bucks, for which you could buy a very nice stand alone DVD player.

Sorry you're the example in this scenario ;TR, but this is a perfect example of why integrated component motherboards are bad news.

Xayd

[RJ]

In case of a new graphics card I personally would choose an ATI Radeon card, not Rage 128.
Reason: The Radeon is not much more expensive than the predecessor Rage 128, but includes full hardware decoding instead of 'just' hardware DVD assist, so you'll get a smoother DVD playback.
I've seen the Radeon VE at $110, but I believe prices are less in the States and there are also cheaper Radeon models.

RJ

[glc]

RJ - Radeon assumes the motherboard has an AGP slot - a lot of "integrated" boards do not, so you are stuck with PCI which dictates a Rage-based card.

[RJ]

No, ATI offers the Radeon also as a PCI version, well, at least the AIW.

Look here:
http://www.ati.com/na/pages/products...lder=15&doc=13

RJ

[TR]

Thanks to everyone for the assistance.
Just thought I would let you all know that the DVD is now working and my system is 100% again.
What was the fix? Changed from PowerDVD to WinDVD software. Everything is working fine. Never did hear from the Cyberlink people.
The WinDVD seems to be working just fine. Anyone have any comment on WinDVD?

[Xayd]

Odd that you had better luck with WinDVD actually, PowerDVD is less resource demanding on my system than WinDVD. At the cost of less visual quality, of course.

Glad it worked out for ya.

Xayd

[RJ]

Well, I use PowerDVD and had no problems so far. Also tried WinDVD, but I like PowerDVD more. It is more comfortable.
You can jump over a few minutes via mouse wheel, and you can show and hide the player itself while running fullscreen. In WinDVD this is not possible.
Also PowerDVD has more options and gives you info of what is used (hardware decoder, etc.).

RJ