Computer DVD playing issues

[C(Sea)Bass]

A couple months ago I had to put a new hard drive (and every other part) into my laptop. I installed XP myself and had geek squad do all the drivers and stuff. It works fine except for one thing. I cannot play DVDs anymore. When I try to play them the only option it gives me is to play them with Windows Media Player. I always used something that said PowerDVD or something like that in the past, but I no longer have it because of the new hard drive. WMP won't play the DVDs it gives this message "Windows Media Player cannot play the DVD because a compatible DVD decoder is not installed on your computer." So I clicked on the "Web Help" tab and it brings me to a windows web site where it says I can purchase a decoder. I do not want to purchase a new one, I want a free one. I feel I am entitled to one as my computer is under warranty, but Dell is being a PITA about it because I had to install the drive myself because they couldn't get a technician who would go to my dorm.

Anywho, does anyone know of a free way to fix my problem?

[Skuzzy]

The MPEG-2 decoder does not come with Windows XP.  PowerDVD is from Cyberlink and ships with just about every video card on the planet.  Cyberlink's MPEG-2 decoder is considered to be one of the better decoders.

If you had PowerDVD on your computer, then you should have a CD laying around with the program on it.  If you ever bought a video card, there is a good chance the CD's that came with the video card have it on there.

[Jackal1]

<removed>

[Skuzzy]

PowerDVD is not a free product.  Jackal, I removed that link as that site is not listed as a valid mirror at Cyberlink's download page.

[Jackal1]

Roger.

[Mini D]

Vista plays them just fine.

[midnight Target]

Vista plays them just fine.

Heh, pot stirrer.

[Skuzzy]

Vista plays them just fine.

True, but PowerDVD on XP (providing you already have an XP license) is cheaper and less aggravating than having to deal with all the Vista related issues.  Besides, Vista is a dead end product with Microsoft deciding to kill it as soon as they can.

Of course, Windows 7 may not be any better, but one can hope.

[bcadoo]

you probably recieved 2 or 3 blue disks with your dell.  One of them should have the dvd software on it.  (if you did not then it was probably on a utility partition on your original HD.)  If thats the case then Dell will provide you with the disks to recreate the utility partition.  If that is too much trouble then there are free DVD players out there that you can search for on google.

[straffo]

you can also use vlc ,not the best player but it play a lot of format without the codec hell

[Meatwad]

you can go to www.divx.com, but i dont know if the installer for codecs will have something for dvd's or not

[Mr No Name]

VLC is a great solution, I use it on linux and win xp.  http://www.videolan.org/

[swoopy]

i have this same issue. After installing power dvd wil windows media play dvds then?

[Nashwan]

It used to be the case that you could install the trial version of WinDVD or PowerDVD and get the DVD decoder that way. After a month (or however long the trial lasts) the trial version will not run, but other media players you have installed (like Windows Media Player) will still use the dvd decoder with no problems.

[AWMac]

I downloaded PowerDVD 8 from CyberLink at C/Net. 
Got the Free trial version.
Works like a charm.  Solved alotta MSMediaPlayer issues.
DVDs now play.

Mac

But I am NOT taking away from Skuzzys sails.  I just D/L'd a Beta Version that is ONLY free for a Month.