WinDVD 7 won't open or play!

[Makubex_GB]

I tried the WinDVD 7 Trial version a few months back and I liked it, so I bought the Platinum version yesterday. I installed it, Activate it and then when I try to open the program it does nothing! The sand clock icon (the one that appears when your PC is loading something) appears for like a fraction of a second and that's it, nothing else happens. If I put a DVD in it does the same thing, it just won't play it. I tried uninstalling it, cleaning my registry but no go. I'm very close to re-installing Windows, but I would like to solve the problem without having to do so.
I've read about other people having the same problem, but no one has the solution.
I already sent the inquiry to Intervideo by using their Tech Support Request form. As soon as I get a reply I'll post it.
If anyone has any suggestions, please post them.

[jmet]

Welcome to the Digital Digest Video forum Makubex GB!

Sounds like a silly question but, have you rebooted since you got this error message?

[Makubex_GB]

Thanks!

Yes, I've rebooted many times. In fact, to completely uninstall WinDVD 7, I have to reboot.

By the way, I don't get any error message. The program just won't run. I double click it and it does nothing.

[jmet]

Can you do a "System Restore"? Some other program is causing a "conflict" with WinDVD 7.

Do you know about MPC (Media Player Classic)? Its a software DVD player like WinDVD. I personally think its better. And to top it off its free!

[Makubex_GB]

Yes I know about it, but I really like WinDVD 7. Is a big step from every other version of WinDVD. Besides, I already payed for it so I really want to get it to work.

As for system restore, I reather do a clean re-install of Windows. I don't know to when it will restore it to, and this problem has been present since I used the Trial version (months ago). At first it worked then it didn't. That's what confuses me. Also the fact that other people are having the same problem.

[jmet]

What other programs have you installed that may be conflicting with WinDVD?

[anonymez]

makubex_GB, is it possible you have blocked windvd with your firewall? several programs don't run at all when they are denied internet access, even though they don't really need it. (such as the latest ATI Catalyst Drivers, which wouldn't open on my system till i allowed net access to it)

[Makubex_GB]

I don't have any firewall enabled, I uninstalled my Antivirus, I uninstalled PowerDVD, I uninstalled Klite Mega Codec Pack, I rebooted, made a fresh install of WinDVD 7 and it still doesn't work! I can't imagine of any software I got conflicting with WinDVD. Especially because it worked back when I tried the trial version at first. Then even the trial version failed me, and it has ever since. I'm getting ready (backing up everything on DVDs) to format and re-install Windows XP. If that doesn't work then I'm really screwed.

I'm gonna use nlite to install Windows, you guys got any recommendations on things not to install (things to exclude with nlite)?

[anonymez]

i've never used nlite, but if you are willing to do a clean install, this is my list of what is needed regarding codecs/filters on any PC:

ffdshow - make sure its the latest 'celtic_druid' build, should play almost all video and audio formats

nvidia purevideo codec (you can substitute windvd here) -for dvd's/mpeg-2 (i use dscaler instead, but its not for everyone)

real alternative - so you don't have to install 'realone player'

quicktime alternative - so you don't have to install quicktime

media player classic - extremely stable and fast media player. best player ever.

oggDS filter - directshow filter for ogm/ogg

windows media player 10 if you wish

that's it. install nothing else, especially codec packs

[Makubex_GB]

Ok, thanks. I'll download those things before I format my HDDs. Now let's see if I can find them all.

[anonymez]

you'll find them all between http://www.divx-digest.com and http://www.free-codecs.com

[Makubex_GB]

Are you sure I should get the celtic_druid version of ffdshow? I was going to download it here: http://ffdshow.faireal.net/
They say it might be unstable. Also, what's that about Changelog?

[anonymez]

that "may be unstable or even unusable, possibly making your system crash" notice is just for their own (possibly legal ) safety. its quite safe to install it, it works perfectly

i get all builds from this site. get ffdshow20051013.exe here http://www.aziendeassociate.it/cd.asp?dir=/ffdshow

[Makubex_GB]

I see, thanks. I'm downloading the codecs and software you suggested now.

[Makubex_GB]

After I format, when Installing Windows I'll try not to install any other codec or Windows Media Player by using nlite. Let's see if this works, is my first time using nlite.