I have an older LAPTOP that I would like to use as a dvd player only.   The device manager identifies the drive as a CDROM/DVD RAM.   Should that be able to play movies?   I installed cyberlinks power dvd and VLC but I always come up against the error message " A disc with an unsupported format is in Drive D"    Am I trying to MAKE a drive do something it wasn't designed for or is there software that I need.   The laptop manufacturer is no longer in business.   The laptop has WIN XP SP3 on it.What is the movie format, you're trying to play?
Where the movie DVDs are from? Home made?I am not sure of the format.   They were commercial videos (movies) that I rented.   THey will play on my regular dvd player.Open WINDOWS Explorer.
Can you see the drive there.
Can you see VOB files on DVD?Did you TRY to update drive firmware?I did try to update the driver but that wasn't the answer.   I don't have the dvd's now given they had to be mailed back so not sure of what format other than they were commercials dvds, movies     I can see the drive in explorer or my computer but it identifies itself as CDROM/DVD RAM.   I'm not sure what that designation means.I suspect, the drive itself is bad.Blu-Ray discs, maybe?