HP Mediasmart DVD failure

[DavidPK]

Hi saravanans21

First of all have you tried Microsofts automated fixit on the link below.

http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cd_dvd_drive_problems

Best wishes,

DP-K

[rtrtpwdt]

From rtrtpwdt:

David,  I tried those steps already and it still does not work.  It can read CDs thru HP Mediasmart, but not DVD/BD.  II can play DVDs thru windows Media, so I don't think it's the drive.  what do you suggest next?

[DavidPK]

Hi,

Try uninstalling the MediaSmart DVD software as shown on the previous page.  Disable any Antivirus, Antispyware and 3rd party firewall.  If you have a security suite, disable it all.  Restart your PC and try installing MediaSmart DVD again.  If it works, try re-enabling your security software one at a time ( reboot each time ) to see if this may be the cause of the problem.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a bit of a shot in the dark, but do you have any VPN software installed?

Best wishes,

DP-K

[koiwitch]

---

DavidPK wrote:

 If it works, try re-enabling your security software one at a time ( reboot each time ) to see if this may be the cause of the problem.

Best wishes,

DP-K

---

I'm running McAfee and my optical drive worked perfectly until on or about the 15th of this month (Microsoft update). So I know my security software and the HP Media software played nicely together. I am REALLY annoyed, I bought the laptop primarily to watch dvds! I've read in this thread about messing with the registry (and BIOS) and I've done it before, like 3 pcs before, I'm not exactly thrilled with the idea of having to do it on such a new one. I've only had this for 3 months! Any other things I can try before doing all of that?

TIA ,

Deb

[DavidPK]

Hi Deb,

From the Control Panel, click Device Manager, open the CD/DVD-ROM drives tree, right click on your optical drive, select properties.  Click on the DVD Region tab and just check that the setting for Current Region is correct ( I expect it is, but it's worth confirming this ).

Next, open HP MediaSmart DVD, make it full screen, click the cog icon and check the Region Code displayed.  Could you post back with:

1.  The region number displayed for your optical drive when viewed in Device Manager.

2.  The region code displayed by HP MediaSmart DVD in the settings tab ( should be A or B or C ).

Look forward to hearing from you,

DP-K

[DavidPK]

Hi Deb,

I've been able to duplicate the problem on my machine and think I've found a solution in this case.

Make sure you have the latest installer for HP MediaSmart and place it on your Desktop.

From the Control Panel, click on Windows Updates then click on view update history.  Near the top of this window you should see a sentence starting 'To remove an update, see installed updates.  Click on installed updates to see a window displaying all the Windows Updates you are able to Uninstall.  Find the one titled Update for Microsoft Windows (kb2345886).  Right click this and select uninstall.  Once uninstalled, reboot your PC.  Now go to the control panel, click on Windows Updates and click 'Check for Update'.  When you see Windows has found the update you've just uninstalled, right click it and select Hide Update.

Go to the Control Panel again and click on program and features.  Find the entry for HP MediaSmart DVD, right click it and select uninstall.  Wait until the program has uninstalled then go to your installer on the Desktop and double click it to install HP MediaSmart DVD again.  Wait until the installation is complete and then insert a Blu-ray disk into the drive.  You should now find the disk plays.  Stop the film, remove the disk, close the program and reboot your PC.

Once Windows has reloaded, put the Bluray film back in the drive, leave the film playing but minimise the window.  Go to the control panel and click on Windows Updates.  Click on 'Restore Hidden Updates' and after a minute, Windows will again find the Update you have installed.  Click to install the update.  Now maximise the MediaSmart DVD window and watch the film for a few minutes while the update is being installed.  When you look at the Update window and see the request for a restart, stop the film, remove the disk, close the MediaSmart DVD program and perform the restart.

Once Windows is up again, just leave it for a few minutes then try your Blu-ray disk again to check it all still works.

Let me know how you get on,

Best wishes,

DP-K

[DebK]

Hi David -

I'm up and running again .... thankfully. :-) I was so frustrated last night! normally I can figure out where I've gone wrong, but some days it's like going back 20+ years and being in the computer lab trying to make my BASIC program that's due in 2 hours run LOL

Again, thanks for your help ...

Deb

[DavidPK]

Hi Deb,

I'm glad it's working now.  The problem with MediaSmart DVD is that there seems to be numerous situations and programs that break it.

Best wishes as always,

Dp-K

[HaggisCat]

WELL HOLY COW !!

 You found the needle in the haystack David !

I would not have been able to figure that one out.

 Now I am going to bash some HP.

HP really needs to find a better provider (CyberLink) to develop their software when it comes to playing Blu-rays. The people in these forums should never have to go through what DavidPK did to correct such a specific problem that was affecting the Media Smart DVD and the drivers for the DVD/CD ROM.

 Take a good look at the complex procedure, what is it with that !

 It should never have to be this complicated and sometimes I think this is done on purpose so that we all get so frustrated that we eventually go out and buy some third party software from Cyberlink to keep them afloat.

 I am very disappointed. 

 You are right David, quote :

 The problem with MediaSmart DVD is that there seems to be numerous situations and programs that break it.

   Yah no kidding, but at least we all have something to look for as a fix when it breaks again.

[DavidPK]

Hi HaggisCat,

After reading Debs last post on the problem, I thought I'd just make sure my MediaSmart DVD still worked.  Guess what; it didn't!!  You're absolutely right about this issue.  You shouldn't have to jump through hoops just to get it to work.  One more needle found, but the haystack just keeps on growing.

Best wishes,

David