Why would a DVD not play on your computer?

Answer 1

The answers to this are many and varied. But let's start with the basics...

Firstly, is the drive, DVD compatible? A standard CD drive will not play DVDs. A DVD drive will however play both.

If it is a DVD compatible drive, will it fail to play any DVD, or is it just one particular disk? If only one disk, then that disk is either damaged or faulty or of the wrong region (see below).

If it won't play a DVD at all, then suspect either a faulty drive and/or hardware. If they're okay, then the installation of the drivers and supporting software maybe at fault. Uninstall the software/drivers etc., remove the drive and re-install again.

Finally, is it the right region? Some DVD drives are multi-regional, which means they will play DVDs from other regions (countries).

Others are multi-regional, but only for the first few transitions: you are allowed to play disks from different regions for up to 4 or 5 region changes. On the 4th (or 5th) region change, that disks region will be set as the region for the drive - permanently! A pointless feature, in my opinion.

The regions are as follows...

0 All regions 1 United States, Canada and US territories 2 Europe, South Africa, Middle East, Japan 3 South-East and East Asia 4 Central America, Mexico, S. America, Caribbean, Australia, N.Z., Pacific Isl. 5 Rusland, former Soviet Union, North Korea, India, Africa 6 China 7 Reserved (not active) 8 International territory (ships, planes etc)

AnswerWhere the answer states: "If only one disk [won't play], then that disk is either damaged or faulty or of the wrong region (see below)", I'd like to point out that there is another reason not mentioned in that list -- the programming of the DVD can prevent it being played on various computer DVD drives. Sometimes the drive will not even "see" the disc because of this. AnswerWith the advent of copy protections for DVDs, there are an increasing number of production firms that are specifically coding discs so that they will not play in a computer. These firms instead are offering "digital versions" that can be purchased for a premium. Disney and its subsidiaries are at the forefront of this movement.

Answer 2

DVD-R disks are supposed to work on DVD players. if your laptop can burn -R disks, you don't need a new burner, but just the DVD-R/RW discs (NOT DVD+R/RW, these are not as well supported by DVD players, and will not work on many older players).

The previous poster is right that there are two types of disk: DVD-R and DVD+R. My experience is that some older players will play one type and some will play the other and some won't play any. Find out what type the laptop was and try the other type. On the other hand. DVD players are so cheap, nowadays, that it might be cheaper to buy a new player which will probably play all types, including the -RW and +RW (ReWriteable types).

Answer 3

DVD Problemif your CD is scratched......

• put windex mixed with lemon juice on it.
• after you rub the mixture on it.... take a stick of melted butter and pour it on your DVD/CD
• take flour (cooking flour) and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of it on the CD.

LET ALL THE INGREDIANTS SIT FOR 10 MINUTES IN THE SUN AND THEN YOUR CD/DVD SHOULD BE AS UNSCRATCHED LIKE IT'S BRAND NEW!

If your DVD won't play because it was made on the computer:

• take it to your local library and and ask for book stain remover

• rub the book stain remover ALL OVER THE DVD / CD and then your DVD / CD should play in your DVD should play in your DVD player!

Answer 4

It might be possible that there are scratches or smudges on your DVD, which could be causing your DVD player to not read the disc. I would wipe the DVD gently on your shirt to remove any smudges.

It could be that the disc is from the wrong region, although you usually get an error message explaining this.

Is the disc original or a copy on a recordable disc? Some players do not like recordable media.

The laser lens may need cleaning.