dvd decoder/driver

[smk1991]

I work in the computer lab at an elementary school and am TOTALLY on my own when it comes to resolving problems. Recently I reformatted all of the computers. One them is a Compaq. It has a combination dvd/cd drive. After reformatting, the cd-rom and everything else works fine but it won't play a dvd. Interactual loaded the first time I put a dvd in and said there was no decoder, to download windvd. This is not in the school budget. This computer was donated to our school and did not come with any supporting software to reload in the event there was reformatting done. Is there a free decoder out there? I had previously downloaded DVD Decrypter. Will that work? Is there a way to find the driver for the compaq GD-2000? (I have searched for one on Google) THANKS to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

 

[cdogg]

You are missing a MPEG-2 decoder which comes with software titles like WinDVD or PowerDVD. One should have come with the Compaq pre-installed, regardless if it was a name brand app or not. There are some free MPEG-2 codecs out there, but if I were you, I would investigate recovering it from a backup or image of one of the old desktops (if you've got one).

Of course contacting Compaq or visiting their site might also turn up something.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[smk1991]

I don't have any kind of backup or software from the computers I reformatted so anything that was there is lost. I did go to the compaq site and found a generic driver that someone said should work for any player. It didn't work for this one. No luck on the Compaq site for any other driver. If I purchase WinDVD or PowerDVD, will it make a DVD play? I'm just trying to get out of spending $$$ because it would have to come out of my pocket since there is no room in the budget for this. Thanks!

 

[Smirnoffn]

This may be a bit of a bum steer but I was told that the driver you seek is the 'Hitachi' GD-2000 driver.

The source is not reliable but I figure it is worth a go. It is free to download at Hitachi or driverguide.com.

 

[smk1991]

Thanks, I will try the Hitachi driver.

 

[cdogg]

Driver? Not sure why you would need that. Playing DVD's has nothing to do with it. If you can read music and data CD's (like you've indicated), then the driver is not the problem. Remember that optical drives use firmware, which is built into the drive itself. Drivers, per se, aren't really used for optical drives in Windows as they are in other devices.

At this point, I would focus on it being a software issue.

Might find some luck on hunting a free MPEG-2 decoder/player at this site:

http://www.videohelp.com/tools

~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[Nelviticus]

As cdogg says, what you need is a CODEC. This is something that decodes the information on a video DVD. You normally get these as part of commercial DVD playback software.

It's a subtle distinction but a CODEC is not the same as a driver.

Anyway, this site lists a few cheap packages that include CODECs that will allow Windows Media Player to play DVDs if you're using Windows XP:

http://www.burnworld.com/software/dvd-decoder/dvd-decoder-software.htm

If you're not using XP you'll probably have to buy some commercial DVD playback software. You frequently get this bundled with even cheap DVD-ROM drives so have a look in your local computer shop.

Nelviticus