My DVD/CD ROM in my laptop(Config-Intel Pentium Processor 1.6GHz/512 MB RAM/Windows XP Ver.2002 with SP2/ ) is giving the following message when i insert a CD/DVD in my DVD/CD ROM :

"Windows cannot read from disk, the disk might be corrupted, or it could be using a format that is not compatible with Windows"

But when i play a CD containing .avi extension file, im able to play the movie.

Since, one CD is working, I cannot rule that my CD ROM Drive is bad.

What do you think could be the reason and how can i correct the anomaly??

P.S - I have already carried out the basic steps of :

1. Playing DIFFERENT CDs/ DVDs (not working)
2. Reinstalling my CD ROM drive etc.

Please help!!
What software do you use for playing DVD's?

Example: I use PowerDVD.What hardware and software is involved? How old is the machine?Usually, a computer (especially one with Windows XP, because they want you to PAY them for one to install to Media Player, found that out not long ago on the Microsoft page >_<) won't come equipped with a MPEG-2 filter needed for viewing most DVD movies.

Like GMX man said before, PowerDVD is a great program that will install the MPEG-2 you need for watching streaming DVD movies from disk to monitor.

The reason .avi will play is because of the type of encoding, Media Player, Winamp, etc all these programs can DECRYPT the encoding of the file already. Hope this helps. Quote from: street1 on April 13, 2007, 06:53:49 PM

What software do you use for playing DVD's?

Example: I use PowerDVD.

Usually, a computer (especially one with Windows XP, because they want you to PAY them for one to install to Media Player, found that out not long ago on the Microsoft page >_<) won't come equipped with a MPEG-2 filter needed for viewing most DVD movies.