I have a CD/DVD writer and can hear sounds when I put a CD in that someone has recorded. BUT.... tonight I decided to try & watch a DVD from the movie store on my computer screen.... I can see it perfectly but no sound....I've checked all the settings I can think of and phoned my DD, and did her suggestions....but my question is.....how do I know if I have DVD hardware? The slot reads a DVD....but will it play it with sound???? anyone know how I can check this out?

If your drive says DVD, then you have DVD hardware. It's playing the DVD, so you know it works.

Usually you have more than one kind of DVD software on your computer. For example, Windows comes with a multimedia player, and the computer hardware often puts in DVD playing software, too. So try a different software.

Take the DVD out. Now put it back in. Does it just start playing, or does it offer you a choice of applications for playing the DVD? If it just starts playing, then someone set a default app for it. So shut the DVD off, go into your Start menu and try it with Windows Media Center or whatever.

If you're still getting picture but no sound, post back with what kind of computer you have, what version of Windows and what kind if DVD playing software you tried.

My laptop did that too and I had to switch DVD programs like Lisanne suggested.

My computer does that on occaision. I just restart it and it starts working. My son could explain all the ins and outs to you, but I can't. He says blah, blah, blah, sound card, bytes, blah and a bunch of other computer words when he explains it to me.

thanks for your reply, will try after work.

Okay I've restarted & tried all the suggestions. when I put the DVD in the choices are: Play DVD movie using Windows Media Player; open folder to view files; and A red circle that says take no action.

I've looked through All my programs, and it doesn't look like there is anything else that would play a DVD.

I'm using Windows XP 2002 Home version, and my computer is an AMD Sempron, when I look at the properties of the drive it shows; Lite-on DVDRW SOHW-1673S

I have the Windows update every morning.

Any more suggestions? thanks!

Your computer is not an AMD Sempron. That's the brand of the chip inside.

Your computer is something like one of these:
HP (Hewlett Packard)
Compaq
Dell
Gateway
Lenovo
IBM
Toshiba
eMachine
Sony
and that name should be on the box. Please post back.

I have an HP, and it came with its own DVD-playing software. Other brands may not, but Windows Media Player ought to do the job.

So my next thought is that you made need to check for Windows updates. Click on you My Computer icon or use your Start menu to get to the Control Panel. In the left margin, you will see Windows Update listed. Click on that and follow the directions.

Then try your DVD again.

One more thought: Do you have only the one DVD? It's always possible there's something wrong with the DVD and not the player. If you can, test another DVD in the drive. And realize that most DVDs are silent at the beginning, when they're flashing the FBI anti-piracy warnings and such.

Oops.....okay the name on the front says Proteva. I just tried a different DVD it starts up but no sound. I went to update but it says nothing to update. The speaker on the bottom right is turned up, and when the DVD plays the speaker on it is turned up. I tried a CD that has video clips on it, and I can hear the sound from it.
When I did the DVD troubleshooting thing it said something about a DVD decoder but the movie is actually playing, there's just no sound with the DVD but there is with the CD..... I just don't know enough about computers to try anything else. Thank you so much for your suggestions.

Sorry, I didn't mean to let this slide.

I've never heard of a Proteva, but I googled it and found this:
Systemax has bought out the Proteva line of PCs. Their tech support line is at: 800-262-6622
It's worth a phone call. They would guide you through things.

If it had been an HP, I'd have suggested checking the HP website for updates, but in this case, just try tech support.

Or have someone more comfortable with computers come and see what it's saying about a DVD decoder if you don't want to post the message here or do it on your own.

Thanks for all your input.... DD came over last night with an "old one" of theirs..... and we watched a DVD all the way through on the DVD player, so I'm not going to even worry about making it available on my computer, thanks so much for all you info though!