Laptop won't play some dvds

lostinrates

I have a Sony Vaio that is not terribly old (under a year I think). I use it mainly for internet use, (skype, hotmail, MSE ) and does not have works for windows installed. It is very selective about what films it will play which is leading to much frustration.

(NB I've tried to download the free windows alternative recommended in this forum so I could use it for my word processing needs too but have not been able to despite several failed atempts)

It has one favourite dvd it will always play with ease (in both InterVidow WinDVD and via Windows media centre) but t seems to be getting fussier and fussier: not recognising most dvds in the !!!!!! drive at all. Tonight I've tried for an hour in both vidow programmes to watch a (new, un scratched, undamaged and clean) dvd to no avail, yet I put its favourite DVD in and whoosh...away it goes. DVDs and computer are both UK mainstream bought...in case regions matters on a laptop, this won't be an issue here.

(Incidently dh's lap top hates dvds too, and we have access to a third laptop, and old sony vaio, which is more adaptable and usually will play a dvd, but the volume is so low on the old machine we end up resorting to subtitles!)

Any ideas what we can try to launch the dvd on the new Vaoi tonight?

Browntoa

try a differnet free DVD player

http://www.avs4you.com/AVS-Media-Player.aspx

or

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

lostinrates

Browntoa wrote: »

try a differnet free DVD player

http://www.avs4you.com/AVS-Media-Player.aspx

or

http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Thank you!

I'm downloading the first one now. If I have no luck with either I'll come back for more help.

lostinrates

Right, first one downloads no problem but similarly the dvd doesn't seem to be being recognised as being in the drive.

Starting with second one now, to down load it.

davb

lostinrates wrote: »

I have a Sony Vaio that is not terribly old (under a year I think).

May be worth logging it as a possible hardware fault - you shouldn't be having these sort of problems. It could be a faulty drive, and if so it's best to get in before 12 months is up. If you have on-site support then go for it - if it's RTB then maybe not, as they may decide to do a factory restore and zap your data/programs.
You could verify the the problem by booting of something like a Linux CD which would give it an OS independant test.

lostinrates

davb wrote: »

May be worth logging it as a possible hardware fault - you shouldn't be having these sort of problems. It could be a faulty drive, and if so it's best to get in before 12 months is up. If you have on-site support then go for it - if it's RTB then maybe not, as they may decide to do a factory restore and zap your data/programs.
You could verify the the problem by booting of something like a Linux CD which would give it an OS independant test.

I don't really understand much of that! I'm a technophobe! What is a Linux CD? How do I log it as a fault?

Having tried the second programme given by Browntoa thats not working either, which does seem to suggest a hardware fault, doesn't it?

It tries to read it but can't. Its weird that sometimes after ages of trying it gives in and plays the dvd, and that it has no problem playing some...the favourtie one has never failed.

davb

I'm sure there will be people along in a while to give you lots of info, but basically Linux is an alternative operating system to Windows, and if you download the live CD iso image for something like Ubuntu (a type of Linux), you can create a bootable CD.
You start the PC with this in the drive and boot from it, and not your hard drive - you don't install it, or overwrite anything - it just runs from the CD.
This will allow you to run applications within that OS which can test your hardware, bypassing any potential Windows problems.
Writing this now, it is a bit more complicated for you as you want to play a DVD, so can't boot off that drive. You can still boot Linux from a USB flash drive, but it's a bit more difficult to do.

As I said, that's the basics - if you want to try it, i'm sure there will be plenty of people who will help.

Oneday77

lostinrates wrote: »

I have a Sony Vaio that is not terribly old (under a year I think). I use it mainly for internet use, (skype, hotmail, MSE ) and does not have works for windows installed. It is very selective about what films it will play which is leading to much frustration.

(NB I've tried to download the free windows alternative recommended in this forum so I could use it for my word processing needs too but have not been able to despite several failed atempts)

It has one favourite dvd it will always play with ease (in both InterVidow WinDVD and via Windows media centre) but t seems to be getting fussier and fussier: not recognising most dvds in the !!!!!! drive at all. Tonight I've tried for an hour in both vidow programmes to watch a (new, un scratched, undamaged and clean) dvd to no avail, yet I put its favourite DVD in and whoosh...away it goes. DVDs and computer are both UK mainstream bought...in case regions matters on a laptop, this won't be an issue here.

(Incidently dh's lap top hates dvds too, and we have access to a third laptop, and old sony vaio, which is more adaptable and usually will play a dvd, but the volume is so low on the old machine we end up resorting to subtitles!)

Any ideas what we can try to launch the dvd on the new Vaoi tonight?

Sorry I have to point this out. Your Laptop Won't "lay" DVDs and it has a "!!!!!!" drive, is it's favourite DVD a porno by chance :rotfl::rotfl:

bat999

@lostinrates
Hi
Usually VLC media player will play DVDs OK.
(That's the second program that you downloaded).

If you haven't used VLC before, this is how to use it:-
First put the DVD in the disc drive.
Then start VLC player.
Then click on 'media' in the top left hand corner.
Then choose 'Open disc'.
Then choose 'DVD'.
Then click 'Play'.

lostinrates

Oneday77 wrote: »

Sorry I have to point this out. Your Laptop Won't "lay" DVDs and it has a "!!!!!!" drive, is it's favourite DVD a porno by chance :rotfl::rotfl:

LOL, typo....I'll correct, but it is funny.

Oneday77

I reckon the drive is at fault here tbh.
Odds on the favourite disc is an older single layer disc that is pressed rather than burnt. OP should check for proof of purchase and then persue a warranty claim ASAP before it expires if it hasn't already done so.