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Laptop dvd player question

13 years ago

I've got an Acer that I've had since Dec 2009. Lately when a movie is put in to play, every 2-3 minutes or so, it's like it gets hung up ... and things get repeated 3 times and play will stop, then go real slow then speed up real fast to catch up. This is so aggravating when I'm using it to play an exercise video!

The first time I noticed it was on a rental from Redbox and I thought that it was their dvd. But it has happened every time since then. My hubby suggested getting a dvd cleaner and trying that but I wonder if that would help; because upon starting also, it makes a strange sound and won't take me to the WinDVD screen ... I have to eject and try again (the last time I had to do this twice).

Should I try a cleaner first or take it directly to be looked at? Thanks!

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Comments (9)

zep516
13 years ago
It's a mechanical device, if it's making a strange sound it's most likely a mechanical issue. A cleaner would probably not help much.
owbist
13 years ago
You probably do not have enough memory (RAM) to run the movie without it having to stop to build a buffer. The movie runs faster than the computer is able to create the image onscreen.

What model and how much memory does it have?
If XP click Start
click My computer
click System
Now look near the bottom of the new window for your installed memory.
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beanwabr
Original Author
13 years ago
Memory (RAM): 3.00 GB
kudzu9
13 years ago
You should be able to play DVDs fine with that amount of RAM on a fairly recent computer. I don't think this is something that will be solved by cleaning. It sounds more like a mechanical problem with the drive. Did you get more than a 1-year warranty (or buy from Costco, which provides a free 2nd year of coverage)?
beanwabr
Original Author
13 years ago
Well, I had it checked out and was told that the dvd player will need to be replaced - will be $89+tax. My hubby had paid for it in Dec 2009 as an anniversary gift, but he had his dad pick it up for him (Walmart), and of course, didn't get an extended warranty. Doesn't that just figure?!

Also, within the last 2 weeks, I had to purchase a replacement adapter (to the tune of $70) as, of course, the other one quit working. When it rains it pours...I wonder what will be next.
grandms
13 years ago
If you could do the job yourself, you would save a great deal of money. Laptops are not the easiest to work on, but replacing the DVD player should not be that difficult. Use Google to search out directions for doing this and also purchasing a replacement unit.
bpgreen
13 years ago
You can get an external USB DVD drive for around $30 at various places (I found some at newegg.com for example).
genes
13 years ago
Whaat brand and model was it
bpgreen
13 years ago
Genes--If that's directed to me, I didn't really look at a brand. I just went to newegg, navigated to the external DVD drives and sorted by price. Here's a link to what I found

Tigerdirect has one for $19.99 after rebate. link

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