why won't my laptop play dvd's?

Question

it just skips away and goes funny....doesn't play smoothly!
they are not copies but originals - but still won't play...has it got anything to do with ''regions'' or is it just that my laptop is dirty inside...can you 'clean them up'? i just wanna play my DVD'S!!!!!!!! I have real player

Answer 1

Hmm...well, I was going to answer that it has to do with your dvd program, but if it's at least playing, then it isn't the software. A lot of laptops have dvd players, but some just won't play them because of the proper software. I play DVD's on my computer, and the software that I use is PowerDVD. If you can get your hands on a copy, maybe give it a try. It's not the region either because it wouldn't play at all if it's the wrong region. I'm thinking that either your laser or the disc itself is dirty. If the disc is dirty, well, that's simple. Just take a clean cotton cloth and wipe the disc starting in the middle and sweeping outwards. You have to be very careful you don't scratch the disc. If it's the laser that's dirty, you could try vacuuming the computer or using a can of compressed air to try and push away the dust. You can also buy a cleaning kit that helps clean the player. Those you can usually get at places like Best Buy or even Walmart. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Check your memory, if you have 256mb or less, your system will be slow overall (running XP), not just with DVDs. Region encoding is no different on laptops than on DVD players connected to your TV, so that's not it.

It could be your video card drivers- try downloading newer ones- and definitely try using a different playback software. It could just be Realplayer that has the problem.

Keep in mind- laptops get shaken up from being carried around a lot. The daily bumps and knocks can throw the DVD/CD drives out of alignment faster than desktops which sit in a corner and hardly ever physically move, except when someone upgrades the hardware.

Answer 3

HP's aren't the only ones with that problem. I went thru 3 sony vaio's with the same problem. Last week had a special on Compaq laptops for $ 500 and it is the best laptop I have ever had and it plays cd's and dvd's.

Answer 4

Check the computer. If your computer says DVD player or multiplayer. It should be able to play DVDs. You can open the DVD by right clicking your mouse on the DVD icon on my computer, and choosing OPEN WITH... or PLAY. If you don't have DVD software, you can open the DVD with windows media player. If this doesn't work, then your computer's lens might have a problem, and then you'll need to get it cleaned or checked.

Answer 5

It does have a lot to do with the regions. If ur dvd is formatted for regions outside USA, it does the same funny thing. US region is 1.

Answer 6

Theres not enough information to judge what the problem is. But try using a different media player for your dvd's. Like PowerDVD or others. You can download free and trial software at www.download.com. Any more question feel free to emial me at [e-mail]

Answer 7

Try using a dvd player program such as win dvd,yes your laptop can be cleaned but would recommend you take it to a pc shop to have it done.

Answer 8

Do you have an HP laptop? I have an HP desktop that does the same thing. It's not your disk's problem, it's most likely your computer's problem. Have it looked at by a professional before you decide to do anything.

Answer 9

Maybe its because you dont have the software to play dvds, or you only have a CD disc input.

Answer 10

make sure ur drive says that its a cd-rw/dvd

or the thing maybe that u need a program to play dvd disc.