When I play a video file from a dvd or cd in either my cd rom drive or
my dvd burner the computer lockes up. I can play downloaded video
files or video files from sites like MSNBC. It just happens when I put
it in my dvd writer or cd rom drive. What is the problem and how can I
solve this?

OK - you need to do the following:

1. windows updates - make sure you have the latest files from microsoft
2. you may need to find updated drivers for your DVD player and/or dvd
playback software

It sounds to me it is possible you could have a hardware conflict if
the above fails. If you have, you will need to tell me exactly what
spec and version of windows your are using.

Hope this helps

Are you trying the same CD in both drives? If not try a different CD
that has the same video file extention (ex. .avi, .mpg).
Also if the CD was burned with the video file on it, I've sometimes
had problems myself of that it wouldn't work in the same CD burner
that made it.

Are you trying the same CD in both drives? If not try a different CD
that has the same video file extention (ex. .avi, .mpg).
Also if the CD was burned with the video file on it, I've sometimes
had problems myself of that it wouldn't work in the same CD burner
that made it.
Bomanator

What is the speed of your PC. Does the DVD player meet the requirement.

I am running:

Compaq Presario s4020wm
Windows XP Home Edition
AMD Athlon Xp 2400+
624 MB of RAM
Pacific Digital 8x+*x- DVD-Burner
LiteOn DVD ROM Drive

I just installed a 2005 version of Norton System Works incase it was a
virus, and that has not helped out or hidered the situation. It might
be another problem all together however, if I leave my computer for
too long of a time, it will lock up while its sleeping. All I have to
do is press in the power button and it shuts off. I do not have to
hold the power button in for 5 seconds or whatever it is for shutdown.

If you're running XP or 2k, take a quick look at your event logs (app
and system) and look for errors around the time of trouble with CD. 
Note where your CD is installed (Pri/Slave, Sec/Master/Slave) and scan
the logs for anything related to this device or a HD device. Sometimes
a failing HD controller will cause funny behaviors so you should try
to rule that out early.

Are you able to read data CDs correctly?

Regards,
Narendra
--
Group Technologies & Exports, India - outsourced offshore custom
software development services starting at USD 3/- per hr

Reinstalling the DVD player software 

Removing and reinstalling the DVD player software can heal a variety
of problems, including missing file messages, encoder not found
messages, and errors involving device library (.dll) files. Perform
the following steps to reinstall the DVD player software on a Compaq
Presario computer:



NOTE: If the computer has recovery discs, make sure that the discs are
available before starting these steps. Otherwise, the DVD player
software will not get installed. These steps cannot be done if the
operating system (Windows) has been changed.



CAUTION: Do not remove the DVD player software if you are using a 6400
series or s3000 series Presario desktop. A full recovery need to be
performed to reinstall the DVD player software.


In Windows XP, click Start then Control Panel. 

Double-click the Add/Remove icon. An Add/Remove Programs Window appears. 

Click the DVD player's title from the list of installed programs. 

Click the Add/Remove, Change/Remove, or Remove button, whichever is shown. 

Follow the instructions on the screen as they appear. 

When the uninstall program is complete, restart the computer and wait
until the Windows Desktop appears.

In Windows XP, click Start, All Programs, Compaq Tools, and then
Application Recovery. Insert the correct recovery CD-ROM if it is
required.


An Application Recovery window appears. Select the DVD player from the
list, for example, Intervideo WinDVD.

Click OK and follow any instructions that appear. 

Restart the computer when finished and test by playing a DVD movie.

alternatively, a newer demo version of windvd could be installed after
the above uninstall of your existing dvd player software, 
using a download from  (14 day trial)

http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/WinDVD_Download.jsp

to see if that works.
Note that you need directx 8.1 or better also.

Try to copy the a video file from the cd or dvd to hard disk and run
it from there. If it keep's on dragging then it is not the dvd player.
When did this problem starts need to know a little history of your
computer.