dvd for xp

[aberflasm]

my dvd player needs an updated driver that costs about $30 ever since i upgraded to xp home edition. does any one know if there is a way around this? like perhaps an alternative driver or sumthing. I have a had time accepting that just because i run a better OS that i have to pay to use something that was working just fine under 98se. that would have to be my biggest compliant with upgrading to xp. so many things that worked just fine now cost xtra to keep running. any way any suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[Lonman]

what kind of player? make sure you give the full model number.

 

[aberflasm]

NEC 12X/40X DVD-ROM Drive It came pre-installed from Gateway.

 

[Lonman]

What's the model of your gateway box?

 

[Lonman]

Here's a link at Gateway for some kind of automated driver update search Utility that supposed to scan your machine for available driver updates. I have NO idea if it works or not, but it's worth a try.

http://www.gateway.com/support/drivers/output.asp?txtFileName=gtwupd.exe

 

[aberflasm]

thanx but i already tried that. i was hoping perhaps there was a way around having to pay for the updated driver.

 

[Lonman]

Ok, what's the model number of your pute?

 

[aberflasm]

performance 733 pc

 

[Lonman]

I'm now in a "chat" session with gateway. If they won't give me a driver for your drive, i'll tell them I'm not going to buy the new gateway i've got my eyes on. A bald-faced lie of course

 

[Lonman]

Awright, got down to the bone of it. My confab:

Lonman: Is the 5501500, 5501604 NEC 12x/40x DVD Rom compatible with Windows XP. If it is, can you provide me with a link for the XP compatible drivers please.

Maxim: All the DVD's are compatiable in WIndows XP, in order to make it work you need to purchase the DVD software that is compatiable to Windows XP, the software such as Cinemaster, Soft DVD etc.

Lonman: So XP installs default drivers and all that is needed is the software to access the drive then?

Maxim: Yes, you got that right, Lonman.

Lonman: Great, thank you very much for your time.

Maxim: You are welcome, Lonman.
_______________________________________

Very nice service, that chat w/ a tech thing.

So, not a driver issue. You need software to watch your movies, is that right?? Does the DVDRom still read CD's ok?? Just need to clear that up before going on to the next step.

 

[aberflasm]

thanx. i love talking to them techy's. i just wasn't asking them the right questions. yes cd's and games both work fine work however when i put in a dvd it opens up in explorer. i believe i need CINEPLAYER® DVD 4.0 Upgrade decoder for $29.95 made by Ravisent. Do i have to use theres or is there i less expensive one compatable with xp that i may use

 

[Lonman]

I believe there's a plug-in for Windows media player that will play DVDs for you.

 

[aberflasm]

thanx i check that out too.

 

[scriptasylum]

I had a similar problem with my DVD player. (also a gateway)
When i tried using WMP to play DVDs, I got an error saying it couldn't open. I found a free DVD decoder plug-in so WMP will play DVDs and they have been working fine ever since. It is only 383kbytes and is a microsoft installer program.

In case you are interested, I found the link for it at this site:

http://www.devhood.com/messages/message_view-2.aspx?thread_id=1959

Scroll about halfway down that page. You are looking for DVDPack.msi

 

[aberflasm]

thanx scriptasylum. i'll check it out when i get home from work.