lost DVD access under WinXP Pro sp2

[syrenab]

I have T40 2376-4U1 with Matshita UJDA 755z DVD/CDRW drive.
Worked perfectly until just recently.

Windows Media Player reads internet movies, audio CDs and data CDs, but when DVD disc inserted in drive it stops responding, just hourglass icon .

I reinstalled Windows Intervideo WinDVD software with latest update from Lenovo Thinkpad site, but it reports
"create Overlay failed. Lower screen resolution and try again"
Have done this with no result, same message.

Have checked Device Manager, but reports all DVD driver working correctly. BTW the unit reads and writes CDs without any problem
Not a hardware problem, because external DVD drive doing exactly same.
Any suggestions, anybody?This happened after using some CD/DVD editing software, which I have since uninstalled.
Bill

[Marin85]

Install K-lite codec pack (with the option without player) to support WMP. Then you will be able to play DVDs right within WMP and hence no need for WinDVD at all Besides, K-lite codec pack comes with all codecs needed to play virtually every video or sound file It´s free, just google for it.

Cheers

Marin

[syrenab]

Thank you, Marin, for your suggestion.
I will try it.
Bill

[GomJabbar]

Sounds to me like it might be a video driver problem. Try uninstalling your Display Adapter driver, rebooting, then reinstalling the Display Adapter driver. You can uninstall your Display Adapter driver first from Device Manager, then from Add or Remove Programs.

Drivers and software - ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p

Sometimes Hardware Acceleration can be a problem. This can be changed in Display Properties on the Troubleshoot tab, and in WinDVD's display setup menu.

[syrenab]

Marin:
I installed K-Lite Codec Pack as you suggested. But the included player plays some DVDs. On others shows Menu but won't allow a menu item to be selected.
Windows Media, Nero still don't work.
Still playing with it.

[Marin85]

Marin:
I installed K-Lite Codec Pack as you suggested. But the included player plays some DVDs.

Take again a look at my post You should have installed K-lite codec pack with option without player, maybe I have put this unclear. In other words: when installing K-lite codec pack, you are prompted what part of it to install -> chose full without player. The reason why I suggested this is that K-lite codec pack installs an older version of WMP and that´s probably the reason why you are able to play only certain types of DVDs (means no real access to the DVD menu). Uninstall the whole K-lite codec pack (including player if prompted), upgrade WMP through windows update (if I remember correctly, the windows WMP gets overwritten by the K-lite WMP version) and then reinstall K-lite codec pack the way I describe above. I know it´s a bit of hassle, but it should now work

A side note: you only need the codec pack part of K-lite, not the player. You already have a player (means WMP), it simply needs these codecs to be able to play virtually everything (including all DVD types).

Keep us posted if that works

Marin

[syrenab]

Thanks, Marin. for your prompt resonse
May be I didn't do this right. Tomorrow morning I will do it again following your instructions, uninstall K-lite codec pack and reinstall K-lite codec pack with option without player,.
Let's hope this time I do it right

[Marin85]

I guess my bad English was the reason for this misunderstanding and sorry to have brought you in this hassle I should have put some quotes like for instance with option "without player" or something like this. Anyway, I´m glad we have resolved this now. I hope the described procedure will work for you. In any case don´t forget to post back

Marin