DVD playback is very jerky!!!

[mrgame_cat]

I am really sorry if this has been posted before, but it is driving me mad.

Maybe someone can help!

I have a fr415b notebook and when i try to play back dvds the image and sound skips loads. This never used to happen and playback was always great.

I have reinstalled with XP pro instead of Home, so this might be a cause, but i cannot see why. I use my laptop for lots of pro audio work and never have a problem with sound jumping in any audio app.

i really love to watch dvds on my laptop, so somebody please help!!!

[TygerTyger]

Are you watching on battery power? Many Vaio laptops seem to do this on battery, it seems to be a 'trait' of theirs.

[mrgame_cat]

no... i am watching plugged into the mains with the battery removed

i rarely ever use the battery to be honest.

[kee-lo_]

Are you running in performance mode?

Have you defragged lately?

[TygerTyger]

Try this........while you are watching a DVD press Ctrl+Alt+Del then find the program you are using to watch with. Right click on the name, then set the priority to Realtime (this will more or less freeze all other programs). Does the performance improve at all?

[jammold]

As a last resort try this:
* Visit VAIO-Link
* Download and read the instructions for Optical Drive Firmware updates.
* Install the Firmware.
* Reboot Windows XP
* Try running a DVD Disk.

Disclamer:
Firmware updates CAN be dangerous to apply as they can reduce an otherwise working PC to a dumb plastic or metal box, as well as damaging the actual hardware. You should always use MAINS POWER when performing updates of this nature, and shut down any unnecessary applications - if anything interrupts the process it will permanently kill the DVD/CD Drive. I will not be held responisible for any damage that occurs on your computer. If in doubt contact VAIO-Link who can further advise you on the remedy.

[TygerTyger]

As a last resort try this: 
* Visit VAIO-Link
* Download and read the instructions for Optical Drive Firmware updates.
* Install the Firmware.
* Reboot Windows XP
* Try running a DVD Disk.

Disclamer:
Firmware updates CAN be dangerous to apply as they can reduce an otherwise working PC to a dumb plastic or metal box, as well as damaging the actual hardware. You should always use MAINS POWER when performing updates of this nature, and shut down any unnecessary applications - if anything interrupts the process it will permanently kill the DVD/CD Drive. I will not be held responisible for any damage that occurs on your computer. If in doubt contact VAIO-Link who can further advise you on the remedy.

You got to wonder what he's up to with a disclaimer that size lol. Before trying the above you might want to try the safe version which is simply uninstalling the drive then restarting Windows. It will be automatically detected and installed.

I think James is right though. My drive worked fine until it was replaced, and every since then playback has been jerky and I can't fix it. Would seem to indicate it's hardware to me.

[mrgame_cat]

ooooh the realtime trick seems to have helped a bit...

time will tell i suppose.


you guys totally rule

thanks a million

(if this doesnt work i will be back !!!)

[kee-lo_]

Get need to drop Matshita as a optical drive supplier.

[hamzahansari]

Try this - whenever you notice your dvd playback getting jerky, right click on my computer and click on properties. Check your processor speed, it could be that the processor is running at less than max capacity probably due to insuffient cooling - my processor starts running at 983 MHZ instead of 2.66 GHZ for the same reason and the laptop gets very hot - I assume this is to a clogged cooling fan