t41p DVD movie problem--plays OK and then freezes

[pmradio]

I've got a t41p that has had lots of work over the past few years, including the graphics reflow (and is now working fine as far as that goes). The latest issue, which seems to be getting worse, is playing DVD movies (commercially made). It will play OK for a while and then just freeze, or give me a media error message. Sometimes VLC player will do better than WinDVD but it too will have problems. I suspect my drive may be going bad, but wondered what the best replacement options were? It does seem to do OK reading CD's so far, but I don't play audio CD's from it and haven't really tested it with any games requiring CD, just primarily DVD's. These are all commercially made, not a backup I burned so the media itself shouldn't be an issue. Where should I start? Thanks!

Paul

[jamerslong]

I would try swiching out disc drives first if you have one, but not to buy one yet.
if this dosent fix it then you might want to run an Ubuntu install on your PC 8.10 has a virtual drive option.
if you still have issues using ubuntu (you have to install dvd codecs to play them, you should look it up) then you may have problems with your motherboard.

[pmradio]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've never tried to run any form of Linux. How would the "virtual drive" option help? Thanks.

Paul

[jamerslong]

the virtual drive option installs the OS to a virtual disc drive. kinda like an Iso file.
this lets you install linux without the hassle of changing around your drive partitions and risk loosing your windows installation.

Ubuntu is great for people with no linux experience and has a vast forum with alot of knowledge. I will dig up info for you to get to testing

[pmradio]

I will dig up info for you to get to testing

Sweet! Thank you very much!

[jamerslong]

This should get you all you need to play DVD's.
the codec how to
there should be a dvd playing program installed by default, but you can also download VLC for linux as well.

if you want to install anything you need to use synaptics package manager which is under the system->administration menu. this gives you access to alot of free software.

here is the link do wonload ubuntu http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download
download the Image, burn it wuth your image burner, eject the disc and re insert it. the install menu should pop up under windows. follow instructions.

[pmradio]

jamerslong,

Thank you very much!!! I'm downloading Ubuntu now and look forward to trouble-shooting this. If I need a replacement drive, should I just hunt for a similar one on ebay? I saw someone had drives for $17 + shipping in the for-sale forum. Thanks again for all your help.

Paul

[jamerslong]

not a problem, just post back the results

if you end up needing a new drive just buy one and if it dosent solve it you can sell it here.

if the problem is solved in ubuntu then you need to troubleshoot windows.

[pmradio]

Well, I think it's definitely the drive. My boss as a similar model and I borrowed his drive. I could play the movie and when I tried my drive again, it wouldn't even recognize it. I tried to install Ubuntu under MS Virtual PC and the installer couldn't even detect the drive. I again swapped drives with my boss and am installing Ubuntu now after a few hickups. Thanks for walking me through this!

[sktn77a]

Yup, sounds like the drive. Have you run PC doctor yet?

[jamerslong]

no problem. enjoy playing with ubuntu

[sjthinkpader]

One thing to try also is to run Memtest86 with one SODIMM at a time. Memtest86 can work from a bootable USB key.