Windows Media Player Won’t Work

My wife’s computer, a relatively new custom machine with Windows XP Home, Sp 3, will not play dvd videos in Windows Media Player. I have updated it to the latest version, but that didn’t help. The videos do play properly in her Power DVD 5, however. In my computer, with the same OS as hers, Windows Media Player works fine.

Assistance would be appreciated.

 

I was about to download Windows Media Player 11 from FileHippo.

Is the codec included with the download or I still have to visit your link?

 

Thank you for your replies.

I downloaded and installed the codecs and the problem still exists. I noted that WMP automatic codec update is selected.

I thought that WMP was an integral part of Windows and not a downloadable file, but I see that is not the case. Perhaps WMP is corrupted? Maybe I should delete the old file and download and install a new one? I would have thought that Microsoft would include the basic codecs along with the program and there would be no need to install separate ones.

 

I installed the standard version

 

If you have the driver CD for your video card, check to see if it has a DVD player on it. If so, install it and you should get the codecs you need.

 

I installed Intervideo Win DVD in her computer and it works like a champ. I set it to default to that so she doesn't have to deal with WMP. I also downloaded VLC Media Player which works fine, too.

I think something must be wrong with the WMP installation, and when I get time I'll delete and reinstall it.

After Googling and reading up on WMP I just don't understand why Microsoft would make a program that wouldn't work out of the box for run of the mill DVD's. Codecs are free so what's the problem? The average user doesn't know what a codec is and shouldn't have to go to the repair shop or find a geek buddy to get it installed. Other software works fine, so why should Microsoft be different?