DVD playback 'jumping'

[rhythm method]

I apologise if this has been asked before, but I had a quick look through the forum and didn't see anything which looked like the same problem.

I got a Dell Inspiron 1501 laptop as a pressie recently, and when I play a dvd on it, the image appears to jump every few seconds. It could best be described as not being a smooth playback (I'm sure there is a proper technical term for it but I am a bit of a philistine with technical stuff!). It can be most obviously seen during 'pan' shots or when the credits are running as the 'jumps' are more obvious then.

The computer has Windows Media Center installed, although in the setup for that, it does say it is setup for a built-in lcd monitor.

I am baffled and desperately need advice. :\

[frostbite]

Only thing that spring to mind (in the absence of other replies) is whether the computer is a little short on memory?

Possibly, increasing/fixing the size of the swap file???

[Cypherus]

I have had this one several times on another Comp forum/Chat room, and it usually comes down directly to lack of available Memory, Solution I use seems to work with no ill effects.

As follows:

Press the START & BREAK key too open ‘SYSTEM PROPERTIES’.

Select the ‘ADVANCED’ tab.

Press the ‘SETTINGS button under Performance.

Select the ‘ADVANCED’ tab.

Press the ‘CHANGE’ button under virtual memory.

(Single Hard disk installations only)

Formula for new setting.

Total amount of installed RAM (Memory) x 1.5 = ????????

So 512mb of RAM times by 1.5 = 768mb.

1024mb of RAM times by 1.5 = 1536mb.

Enter the resulting figure of your calculation into the ‘MAXIMUM SIZE’ box and press the SET button. you can in truth enter as higher figure here as you like really, subject to HDD size, I have mine set too 3gb on all my sysytems but I suggest you do not change the minimum figure from the default.

Press OK Page closes.

Press APPLY then OK page closes back too system properties.

Close all and then YOU MUST reboot to fix the new settings.

(Dual or more Hard disk installations only)

Set C drive too NO paging file by clicking the NO paging file radio button once then press the set button once.

Highlight the drive you wish to use for your Paging file.

Enter the sum from your calculation and then proceed as for a single installation and reboot.

Some will disagree with this method I am sure but so far for low utility and program memory problems it has always solved that problem, it will not however solve the problem if it is due to an actual software issue or incompatibility.

[rhythm method]

That shouldn't be the problem as it's a brand new computer with still very little installed on it. It was upgraded to 1024mB of RAM, and appeared to be jumping from day 1. At one point I discovered a setting somewhere which was to optimise display for LCD monitor which appeared to work. After some problems with a wireless network, I had to do a system restore, and I don't know where I had found that setting anymore! D'oh!!!!

I shall try that suggestion from cypherus at the weekend... thanks.

Meantime, any other suggestions most welcome.

Thanks everyone.

[rhythm method]

Actually, I have just spotted a link on the Dell support website, where dvd playback jumping is a known problem with certain computers.

There is a patch to download to rectify the problem.

I will do it at the weekend when I have a high speed connection again.