DVD poor quality sound/picture

[peterc]

Watcha guys,

Trying to play a DVD on my Pc at home, and for some reason the sound and picture are now jerky. Whats gone wrong ?

Thanks

Pete

[jabarnutcase]

Hi peterc
Have you tried a different DVD or CD to see if maybe it's just a problem with that particular DVD?
Changed any settings, hardware, or installed any new software before this started happening?

May want to be sure the DVD software and Codecs are up to date.
Also check to see if the drive has DMA enabled (Under controllers in device manager) and "Enable digital playback" (also in device manager under the properties of your DVD drive).

[peterc]

Cheers Jabarnutcase(!)

Sure i have checked that all ready, but will have another look tonight.

Happened before, and i cant remember how i fixed it - Bugger !

Cheers

Pete

[pave_spectre]

Doesnt always help, but you can try holding down the shift key when inserting the disc into the drive. If there is still an autorun functioning, this will prevent it from enabling some types of copy protection that can cause the symptoms you mentioned.

[peterc]

Had a bit more of a play around the weekend. couldnt get the DVD or music CD's to work !!!!

Went to dos and tried to get to the E: drive(my DVD drive) and it couldnt find it ! - drive invalid

Seems to be intermittant, as i was able to get to it a few times before during the day. this seems to point more to a hardware problem dont it ?

cheers

Pete

[jabarnutcase]

Hello again peterc-
What are you using for an operating system?
At any rate, I'm assuming it does at least power up insomuch as you're spinning Cd's with it.

Have you added any new hardware or software recently or made any other changes to the system?
Be sure your IDE cable and jumper settings are OK if you did make any changes.

You might try uninstalling the device then re-boot and let Windows find it again and install the latest drivers (depending on your OS). If it's XP for example, it will most likely recognize it again right away and install it's own drivers.

If the drive is recognized and showing as a "device working properly" in device manager, then I would say there is a good possibility the drive ("mechanically" speaking)may be on it's way out. (Bad laser etc)

BTW- Does it show up in device manager at all? If so, is there a question mark or exclamation point showing that there is a problem?

[peterc]

Watcha Jabar,

Cheers for the reply mate.

Yeah it shows up in device manager, with no exclamation mark against it.

I have deleted the device a couple of times now, so that windows reinstalls it, dont seem to do any good though.

I am using Windwos 2000

I recon the drive is shagged. If it works sometimes and not others it seems to point that way.

May try taking it out complety by disconnecting the ribbon and then reconnecting it. Loose wire ? Who knows.

Thanks again.

Pete

[jabarnutcase]

Yes- It's pointing to a defective drive if Device manager says it's "working properly". Especially since you're having problems with music CD's now too. (DVD Software can be a bit of a pain now and then).

May not hurt to try another IDE Cable. Other than that, I'm afraid it may be time to go shopping. How old is the drive? Still under warranty?

I know...Wishful thinking. :p

[peterc]

Watcha,

Got the machine from my sister (think she won it originaly !!!). Gotta be a couple of years old so warrenty is out of the window (no pun intended).

Wonder if i took the floppy drive off and just had the DVD coinnected up that would make any differance.

Also, now i am thinking about it....how would i get into the bios to check things on there ? cant se a keystroke code for it when it boots up !

Cheers

Pete

[pave_spectre]

Common keys to get into the BIOS include, del or one of the F- keys

[jabarnutcase]

The floppy would be on a different cable anyway.
As far as gettting into bios, it depends on the Computer. (What kind of Computer/Motherboard/Bios?)
Pressing "delete" or F2 among others during post should get you there.

The fact that it's shows the drive as being ok in device manager though, tells me that it's detected in Bios anyway.

If your sister had it and it's a couple of years old, I'd say you may need a new one. :p (Drive that is, not Sister).

(Edit-Hehe...Look at that pave...Beat me by a minute! ;) )

[saphalline]

I would definitely try another IDE cable. Sounds like that's just as likely as a broken DVD drive, and it's a whole lot cheaper! :D

[jabarnutcase]

Yes- saphalline speaks the truth...Certainly check your connections and try a different cable before you go shopping for a new Sister (um sorry) Drive. :D

If it is the Drive, the only good news is that DVD players are pretty cheap these days. If we're talking a Burner here, or you decide to upgrade to one, well that's a different story. :rolleyes:

(Off topic here)...Thanks for the reply in the "Canned air" thread
saphalline ;)