Marlene, the PC must have a video card capable of decoding DVD disks, OR, software capable of decoding DVD disks. DVD drives usually come with this software. However, the software decoding is what requires a pretty fast CPU. With hardware DVD decoding, (via video card) a much slower CPU can be used, but I've never seen one with a min CPU requirement of only 100mhz.
If the "software" you speak of that you installed is the DVD decoding software, it should say somewhere in the 'readme' about the min CPU requirement, or it should say on the box if it was a retail drive. They *usually* require about ~300mhz. Ok I Just did a quick check of some DVD drive boxes here and I see a low 266mhz up to a high of 350mhz MIN CPU required for SOFTWARE DVD decoding. Your options would be to install a faster CPU, if that can't be done, then install a DVD decoding video card......if that can't be done then you could try an add-on DVD decoder board. I'm not very familiar with these, but they ARE made and usually fit into a PCI slot. Not sure about the cost, but it's not like 'an arm and a leg'. -Clint God Bless Us All Clint Hamilton, Owner http://OrpheusComputing.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Marlene Coldwell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Greetings PCWorkers, Here's the scenario. Needed updated software on older PC attached to a Sun engine analyzer. To upgrade software, requirements were 64MB ram, and install a DVD player. I did this without too much difficulty. Software installed w/no problems. However, when I attempt to "register" the DVD rom within the program, it refuses to recognize it, stating "unknown product". The portion of the program which is on a regular CD rom WAS recognized. I can view the contents of the DVD rom in windows explorer, but if I click on the D: drive while the DVD rom in inserted, it only shows about 1.16GB capacity. Tech support (and my other PC shows the capacity as over 7GB). The guy who sold me the DVD player said that this old 100MHZ Pentium would be able to read DVD's, but of course I would not be able to "watch a movie with it". Tech support seems to be divided, with company policy being a 200 mhz processor necessary, but a few technicians have said the 100 mhz should do the trick. Upgrade possibilities for this mobo seem to be available as an overdrive processor (?) which could conceivably bump it up to 166mhz (at least that's my interpretation of info at Intel website. There is a BIOS update available, which I do intend to try after I get any and all input from you guys... I trust you MUCH more than the support techs I've been on the phone with :-) Let me end by saying that this Engine Analyzer/ PC system was purchased used a few months ago for well over $5000.00. New equipment of this sort sells for over $40,000....so you can kinda see that getting a new system is out of the question. Most of the normal PC stuff is in there, but there are tons of additional boards, wires,, plugs, and all sorts of stuff that I don't have a CLUE what it might be. Changing out the PC part alone does not seem possible, and NONE of the techies I have spoken with recommend that. Sorry to be so long winded, but wanted to give you all a clear picture, so that you can get me out of a jam ;-).. Actually I am trying to do this for a friend. I would have NEVER attempted to piddle around with such an old and expensive piece of equipment. Any ideas/suggestions/inspiration apprectiated, Regards, Marlene ============= PCWorks Mailing List ================= Don't see your post? Check our posting guidelines & make sure you've followed proper posting procedures, http://pcworkers.com/rules.htm Contact list owner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unsubscribing and other changes: http://pcworkers.com =====================================================
