T41 missing DVD decoder

[vizslaman]

The first time I tried to play a DVD on my recently purchased T41 (description in signature), I received a message "Cannot find DVD decoder". I ran the playback software and it reported that there is no decoder on my machine. How do I get the DVD decoder back?
It probably was incorrectly deleted by the former owner when he cleaned off the hard drive and reinstalled XP.
Is there a download? If so, what is it called? I have searched the Support & Downloads page at Lenovo, with no success.
I do have a set of recovery disks for the ThinkPad, if that helps.
thanks for your help.
Ray

[Robbyrobot]

Presumably you're missing codecs, and although you could install them, the easier way is to use VLC for playing DVDs and other video files. It is freeware, contains built-in codecs and is very versatile.

[Johan]

If you just want to be able to watch DVD-movies on your ThinkPad, and if application for that is all missing (?), and if you don't mind using some non-IBM supplied program, I suggest the free Media Player Classic 6.4.9.1 - works very well for many, many formats! More codecs are found at K-Lite Codec Pack 3.6.5 Full, Standard and Basic.

I am not quite sure if/how you can reinstall the original DVD-playing program (= that supplied by IBM with the T41) InterVideo WinDVD without making a full re-install of the whole Win XP installation. The program may perhaps still be on your HDD (zipped, and ready for install); I don't know. It only seems as if updates for InterVideo WinDVD can be downloaded from Lenovo's site here --> ThinkPad T41 2373-7JU - Downloads and drivers (CD and DVD drives). Did you Search this forum for suggestions about how-to-reinstall InterVideo WinDVD?

Best regards,

Johan

[vizslaman]

I checked Lenovo's site for updates of InterVideo WinDVD, but found updates only for other model numbers, not T41. Whoops! My mistake. I did find the update for T41, but it very clearly states that the update is ONLY for machines that have the original software on the machine already. Mine doesn't!

Also ran a search on this forum as you suggested for "Reinstall of InterVideo WinDVD", but failed to find any help.

I ran the Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility for decoders on my machine. It turned up NONE.

Does that mean that I'll have to find a non-IBM decoder as both of you have suggested?
Ray

[Nick Y]

An alternative is VLC at www.videolan.org/vlc/

Interestingly, although I haven't got around to trying the facility yet, it will broadcast video too.

[SHoTTa35]

if your system isn't how it came from the factory then you wont have dvd functionality installed. You'll just have to format buy your own or use VLC or other programs as others have said.

[vizslaman]

OK, I clicked on the link to get the VLC files. When I get the message asking Run/Save, should I save? And if so, to what folder on the T41, the TOOLS or ????
Thanks,
Ray

[Nick Y]

My method is always to save to my desktop; usually do a virus check and then run the install (downloaded file is probably called vlc-0.8.6d-win32.exe). This will install VLC into its own directory e.g. C:\Program Files\Videolan and put a short cut on the desk top.

Now run the shortcut and select your DVD and it should play....

Hope this helps.

[vizslaman]

I just completed downloading the VLC player and loaded the Bourne Identity. It plays great!

One more question though: When I load the DVD, the InterActual player screen loads and tells me that it cannot play the DVD because I am missing the decoder. How do I get rid of that nuisance, use "Delete Programs"? Or should I just shut it down each time (a pain) and start up VLC?

Thanks to all of you for your help. This forum has been a great resource for this slightly dysfunctional computer user!
Ray

[Nick Y]

...When I load the DVD, the InterActual player screen loads and tells me that it cannot play the DVD because I am missing the decoder. How do I get rid of that nuisance, use "Delete Programs"? Or should I just shut it down each time (a pain) and start up VLC?...

I think that you have autoplay enabled. Open 'My Computer'. Select the CD/DVD drive and right click; select Properties from the popup menu. Click the AutoPlay tab. Then select appropriate action for Video files, DVD movies, etc.

[Robbyrobot]

The InterActual player is still associated with video files and thus is called when such a file is found. Actually, when you install VLC, you get a chance to associate various file types with it. One choice is "images only", but you can also associate things like MPG, MP3 and VOB (DVD) files so that they will play automatically.

[Nick Y]

The InterActual player is still associated with video files ...

Good point. Hadn't thought about that!

[vizslaman]

Nick Y - I tried changing the AUTOPLAY selections through My
Computer, as you suggested, moving the DVD selector to VLC from InterActual. I pressed APPLY then OK. And then rebooted.
When I inserted the DVD, the InterActual Player started up automatically again.
I went back and checked the AutoPlay function again to make sure that it had saved my selection. It had.
So, why is InterActual starting up now? BTW, I checked the VIDEO files selection and marked it to ASK before loading. So, InterActual is not selected for video either.
Should I use the "REMOVE PROGRAMS" function in Windows and just get rid of InterActual?

Secondly,
How can I associate VLC with the VOB/DVD files from the VLC menu now that it is loaded?

thanks, ray

[Nick Y]

Open 'My Computer' and select the Tools menu in Windows Explorer. Select Folder Options..., and then the File Types tab.

Look for anything associated with InterActual and change to VLC.

I have never used InterActual, so I don't know whether it is worth keeping or not. You can find out more on www.interactual.com/ if that helps.

[vizslaman]

Nick Y;
I really appreciate your hangin' in there with me on this issue!

I tried changing the DVD from "PLAY" to "Play with VLC player" by clicking on that option under File Types/Advanced button. Each time I closed the Tools window, the selection reverted back to "PLAY" (which means play with InterActual). I checked it by inserting a DVD and sure enough, the InterActual player started.

I selected "Play with VLC Player" then pressed "EDIT", then OK. I got an error code as follows:
"File not found, please check name and path".
The name of the file that it is saying cannot be found is
"C:\Program Files\VideoLan\VLC\vlc.exe--started-from-file dvd:%1"

I then looked at the path to make sure that the vlc player was in that C:\Program Files\VideoLan\VLC folder and found that it is. I don't know what all that file name means following "vlc.exe" in the path.

I compared that path with the same file name in the InterActual default shown just as "PLAY" and found that the file name mirrors this file "C:\Program Files\Interactualplayer\iplayer.exe -startup=autorun"

When I open the VLC Player from my Programs list, it starts up just fine and plays the DVD after I select it.

So, why won't Windows let me change the selection in TOOLS?
I am stumped (as usual).
ray

[Nick Y]

How about deleting the end of "C:\Program Files\Interactualplayer\iplayer.exe -startup=autorun" i.e. delete the "-startup=autorun" as it is obviously running in the background all the time. Then reboot.

[vizslaman]

Nick Y,
I tried your suggestion, but when I deleted the end of the file name and clicked OK, the message came back, "Cannot find file name". It would not let me out of that screen by clicking OK with the change. I finally clicked the X to leave that screen.

From the AUTORUN menu from the DVD drive, I even tried marking it to ASK before playing. The InterActual player STILL started.

I looked at the InterActual website. They offer the opportunity to purchase the original dvd decoder, InterVideo WinDVD, for $39.95 as a download. Maybe I should just bite the ole' bullet and download the decoder that works with InterActual and then remove VLC.

What would you do?
Ray

[PH0ENIX]

Two suggestions:

1. Uninstall InterActual from your machine via the control panel->add/remove programs if you can. However, this may not be so easy according to a quick google search I did a few days ago, so I didn't mention it:

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/archive/ ... 73145.html
http://player.interactual.com/help/supp ... s/0119.asp

There are ways of removing a program if it the add/remove programs doesn't work, but it's not the cleanest method and involves deleting the program files and modifying the registry. I wouldn't recommend it if you're not too knowledgeable about Windows.

2. If you're having problems with the regular VLC software, try the portable version that requires no install, and just runs from the folder that it's extracted to:

http://portableapps.com/apps/music_video/vlc_portable

Hopefully this information helps you in some way.

[Nick Y]

Ray: You ask what I would do: Simplest solution (and I know you suggested it before) I would uninstall InterVideo -you can always go and get it again at a later date, but there would probably be no reason to do that.

VLC is free and works well -and I found it on the recommendation of many others.

[vizslaman]

Phoenix,
I am not having any trouble with VLC. I just have to shut down InterActual's player every time I shut the DVD door because it starts up automatically, but then stops because the T41 doesn't have a decoder intalled.

If I were not so stubborn in wanting the T41 to operate like it is supposed to, I'd just forget it and deal with InterActual's player each time. That would be the sensible thing to do (but whoever said that one should always be sensible?)

I am not planning to play movies on this laptop anyway. I am retired now, so am not flying around the country anymore. It just "bugs" me that I cannot make it work!

[PH0ENIX]

I just have to shut down InterActual's player every time I shut the DVD door because it starts up automatically, but then stops because the T41 doesn't have a decoder intalled.

This is because you haven't disabled the autoplay on your DVD drive, and the software on the disc attempts to run whenever you insert it into your computer. Here are some links on how to disable the autoplay feature:

http://www.wikihow.com/Disable-CD-and-D ... Windows-XP
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/show/article03-018

This means you will have to manually start the VLC program to watch your DVDs, but to me that's not a big deal.

[vizslaman]

Phoenix,
THAT WORKED!!!!
I used the wikihow.com TWEAKUI toy. I downloaded it, followed the excellent directions and Voila', the Autorun function disappeared.
I agree with you, starting the VLC program manually is NOT a big deal.

I appreciate everyone on this board who is willing to come to the rescue of guys like me who are not quite fully literate with the inner workings of computers.

Thank You, one and all!
Ray

[PH0ENIX]

Awesome, glad to hear it worked for you.