I have posted here before on this, but now I have a new question.

To begin, some time ago, my computer was in the shop being re-done, new motherboard, etc. Everything worked fine when I took it home.

Then I tried to play my Avatar DVD.

Up on the screen I was told I needed a decoder for Windows Media Player. Since I know there are other players, I downloaded various codecs for this or that. Nothing worked. I have something called VLC on my computer, but Avatar does not recognize this.

I can put other dvd's (cheap ones), but the thing plays choppy.

so I had gone back to computer guy, explained, and he said "no problem, bring it in and I'll put the decoder in".

The problem is I don't want to lug this big computer out of the house again, bring it back and hook it up again. I want to see if I can fix this myself.

So yesterday I decided to see what happens if I put Avatar in the dvd lightscribe rom drive.

It didn't even recognize that anything was in the drive.

I went to my computer and looked at 'E' and it was empty. Meaning, the dvd was in the drive but the computer is not reading this.

WHY??

I then took another dvd and put it in and a pop up thing appeared asking me "what player I want to use". I chose Windows Media, and I was promptly told "You need a video decoder for Windows Media Player".

I then took out the cheap dvd, put it back in and opened it up in VLC, and it played choppy.

So obviously I need a Windows Media Player decoder thing.

And what I want to know is why my computer does not read the Avatar dvd in the dvd drive?

It reads other dvds but not the Avatar. I used to read the Avatar but it played choppy, just like the cheaper dvds.

So, what is going on with my computer?

And, do you think if I go back to the computer guy, tell him I can' bring it in, ask him to give me some kind of decoder thing on a disc, he'll have one?

I mean, why can HE put a decoder thing on my computer, and I can'?'

What will he be doing that is different from what I'm doing?

When I go online, sure I can purchase a video decoder compatible with Windows media Player?

But why should i have to pay for something when it used to be installed on my computer?

I know this is a confusing post, but to sum it up.

Can I download a video decoder from the internet that is compatible with Windows Media Player FOR FREE?

Or is there some other video decoder that will let me play my Avatar dvd?

Thanks much

Melody