DVD ROM not playing DVDs anymore.

[Register]

So I've already posted this problem on the screensavers' message board and they have yet to find an answer...so go insearch of more DVD oriented crowd. So here is my problem; I have a Pioneer DVD ROM and it stopped playing DVDs. An info box pops up from the DVD player sofware (Ravisent), saying 'Another application is preventing DVD play back', then it closes. I've tried reinstalling it, tried different players and that doesn't work...is there any way to find out what app is preventing playback? Or any other suggestions would be appreciated . Thanks.

[WildmanJoe]

Make sure that your region changes have not been used up. You are only limited to only 5 changes. Try using another player like the Media Player Classic to playback your DVDs. Alternatively, ctl+alt+del and check for any suspicious programs. OR disable unnecessary services.

[Register]

Well, I've never changed the regions since I got the compruter...and I know all of the progs running when I hit ctrl+atl+del. So anyone have any other ideas?

[setarip]

Doing a simple Googlesearch for "preventing DVD playback" yields many possible explanations, including all of the following (separated by "----------"):


From the Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

In Control Panel, double-click the Display icon.

In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.

In the Color Palette drop-down list, change the number of colors to 16-bit Color and then click OK. The computer must be restarted.
The DVD should play normally.


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See my post under "DVD Problem is keeping me up nights" for the full explanation. The problem turned out to be directx. I didn't have it. I downloaded it here:

http://www.microsoft.com/directx/ho...ads/default.asp

Make sure you download the one for YOUR version of Windows.


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If you receive an error message that the current resolution and color depth are using too much memory and preventing DVD playback, adjust the display properties:

In Windows XP
Start button -> Control Panel -> Pick a category -> Appearance and Themes -> Pick a task... -> Change the screen resolution.

In the Display Properties window, click and drag the bar in Screen resolution to change the setting to 1024 x 768 pixels.

Click the pull-down menu under Color quality -> Medium (16 bit) -> OK.

In Windows 2000
Open the Control Panel, and then double-click the Display icon -> Settings tab.

Click and drag the bar in Screen area, and change the setting to 1024 x 768 pixels by moving the bar to the left or right.

Click the pull-down menu under Colors -> High Color (16 bit) ->OK.


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Solution:

To resolve the problem, perform the following steps and test your DVD after you have completed each section. If the problem remains, proceed to the next section.

Check the Hardware Acceleration

Use the following procedure to set hardware acceleration:

Right-click on My Computer and click Properties.
Click on the Performance tab and click on Graphics.
Set Hardware Acceleration to Full.
Click Ok and then click Close.
Restart the computer when prompted.
Check the Video Resolution and Color Setting

Click Start, point to Settings, Control Panel.
Double-click the Display icon.
Click the Settings tab.
Change the Screen Area to 800x600 and the Colors to High Color (16-bit).
Click Apply and then click OK. If you are prompted to, restart.
Check the Sound Card Driver Installation

Use the following procedure to access the Dell Documents for more information about your particular sound card, including instructions for loading drivers:

Browse to http://support.ap.dell.com/ap/en/docs/index.asp
On the left margin, click on Accessory
Click on Sound Card.
Click on the description that matches your sound card.
Uninstall Conflicting Software and Reinstall the Cinemaster Software DVD Player

Use the following procedure to uninstall RealPlayer, QuickTime, and new DVD playback software:

NOTE: If the installation of new software applications is the cause of the problem, the Cinemaster Software 98 files have been corrupted. You must uninstall the Cinemaster Software, uninstall the new application that caused the error, and then reinstall the Cinemaster Software to repair the corrupted files or settings.

Click Start | Settings | Control Panel.
Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
Click Software Cinemaster® 98.
Click the Add/Remove button.
Follow the prompts to remove the software.

NOTE: Do not reboot when prompted.

Remove any other video playback entries listed under Add/Remove Programs using the same steps as above. Some common entries are:

PC FriendlyTM
New Line Video®
Paramount®
Apple QuickTime x.0
NOTE: You must close the Control Panel window prior to uninstalling QuickTime.

Once all DVD player software has been removed, reboot the system.
Insert the CD labeled Software Decoder Disk into the DVD-ROM drive.
Click on Start | Run.
In the Open box, type:

[Drive:]\Setup.exe
where [Drive:] is the drive letter of the DVD-ROM drive.

Click Ok.
Follow all the prompts for the installation process. Accept all the default locations.
Reboot when prompted.

NOTE: It is recommended that the latest update to the Cinemaster software be downloaded from the Dell Web site and installed at this time.

Insert the DVD title of choice into your DVD-ROM drive.

NOTE: If the DVD movie offers to install a different DVD player application, select the option to not install.

The Cinemaster Licensing Agreement will appear. You must agree to the licensing agreement or the software will not function.
The message DVD Player Loading: Please Stand By will be displayed.
You will need to wait a few moments while the software installs all the necessary files


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I did some checking on my own and found out that I have to have my display set to 800x600 to view the DVD. Boy is that a cheap way to do things. I have a hp4033 monitor and can't even take advantage of the resolution of the monitor to watch a DVD. Can that be changed by installing a new graphics card?
I thought for sure that I used my monitor on higher resolution when I first got the PC. I remember watching Gadiator on my PC the last year or so ago. I don't remember having to change the display characteristics.

[Register]

Welp, the problem still hasn't been resolved and I'm not going to mess with it anymore...I've tried everyone tips and suggestions. Thanks to everyone to who helped .