Running DVD's
 

Running Windows XP, Pentium 4, 2GB Ram, When playing DVD's, about 80% through the play, the screen freezes as if perhaps I ran out of RAM or something. I have used 3 different software programs to run the DVD's, to include Realplayer, and Windows Media Player, and they all do the same thing, some just get a little further than others. My PC health shows my RAM to be at about 1.3 GB at the point when it freezes, and I can select to free RAM which does not help. If I restart the media player and start it at the point that it froze I can usually watch the rest of the DVD, but I shouldn't have to do that. If I made any mistakes on technical jargen, please just read between the lines, I'm sure you get the point. any idea's on how to clear this problem?
thanks
Sarge

Re: Running DVD's
 

Do you have nero installed? If so run drive check on your dvd rom/rewriter.Also have a look in control panel/system/device manager/IDE ATA-ATAPI contollers and make sure the drive your using is Ultra dma enabled.It should be but just check.

Re: Running DVD's
 

not sure about nero but ultra DMA is enabled, both primary and secondary. primary is ultra DMA mode 5, and secondary is ultra DMA mode 2.

Re: Running DVD's
 

What about power saving features? Do you set the monitor or hard drives to power down after a period of inactivity?

If so, it may be worth disabling these features and trying then (they can be changed using the Power Options settings in Control Panel).

Re: Running DVD's
 

I will have to reset the power saving settings and try another DVD. keep open for further updates ulesss this doesn't work.

Re: Running DVD's
 

resetting the power saving mode to off seemed to have worked. I have watched 3 DVD's with no problems.
Thank you all for your advice. this thread can be removed.

Re: Running DVD's
 

No need for that, leaving it up might help someone else :)

Glad you got it sorted.