How do I stop the Windows Media Player from starting to play DVDs. I have a Roxio program that came with the player and that's what I want to use. I have the icon on the desktop and click it when I put the disk in. Which gets both programs to start. Change the file association - but this is not a file but a drive. I also don't want to remove the Media player - I just want it to not play my DVDs. Any ideas? Thank you. MKS

Its either down to 2 things they are either both trying to be "instant on" on 1st boot (when you log in)
If you have XP go into the Control Panel (Add/ Remove Programs) and click on the "Set Program Access and Defaults" icon then set the indicator to Mediaplayer for default and tick or untick the Roxio box "as also access this program" may take several attempts to get it right but If the "also allow access box" is ticked then it is only called on if you ask for it
See how that goes?
Ps Try to Not get in the Habit of leaving your DVD in the drive (On some machines It produces a device error if the Boot up sequence tries to look at it and either runs it or shows an error Otherwise if there nothing in the drive the computer carries on to the next items
The sequence can be changed but it means altering the start up routine (experts territory) Best advice put your disk away in its box when you have finished with it
Ps Floppy Disks also do a similar thing if a Floppy disk is left in situ Often don't let you into Windows produces a "Non System disk" message I've done this myself several times

Other option...
Open Windows Media Player 10, go to 'Tools', then select 'Options', under 'File Types', deselect the 'DVD Video' option. Click 'Apply', then, 'Ok'. Windows Media Player will no longer play your DVD files unless you want it to.
Good Luck.

Hi,cswchan I unchecked the box in mediaplayer, even restarted - no luck. The box stays unchecked but the WMP still starts.
bedstor - how did you know? I actually have been leaving the disk in the drive to avoid this hassle. I does not interfere with start up. Can't figure out how to do the 'Set Program Access'. I do have XP home and SP2. The reason this is so irritating is I am not watching a movie, but DVDs that came with a class I am taking. This is stuff you have to take in small doses. So I turn it on several times a day or I will to switch to a different disk to check something.

Thank you both for your help. MKS
PS.
I thought I had WMP6 - I never updated - on purpose. I don't do music much. But Billie the .. must have decided to update me anyway. I thought the WMPlayer was optional for updates and not included in automatic updates.
Isn't it?

quote:

Originally posted by emkayess:
bedstor - how did you know? I actually have been leaving the disk in the drive to avoid this hassle. ?

Hi MKS
There is a semi hidden Start up boot list separate from what you can see but I imagine Window Media player is on that list .Taking it off only doesn't harm anything is only the same as exiting a program if you have too many programs on the tooltray by the clock and you want to do a defrag and you need to exit all to stop them interfering with the Defrag On XP all I have to do is some times switch out the Screen saver I can work while the Defrag is Going on
OK this List is a bit inaccessible but download install Crap Cleaner from www.ccleaner.com
and try this...
Look to the left click on Tools then Startup on the Next screen
Locate program NVMediaCenter and click on "Delete entry"
Do a reset and see if this makes any difference?
If no joy then update to Version 10 (its more stable than previous versions)and Tidier
Be aware it will run a Windows Validity test before downloading(checking for pirated software)
Here is the link (file is 11 MB )
www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/default.aspx
I'm not sure if it overwrites the Old version? but it does take priority.
If you set the download to Run intead of Save it does not leave a file for backing up(in emergency)

Hi bedstore, thanks.
I'll try the ccleaner.
Don't know about WMPlayer 10.
I found I had # 9 on my machine without initiating anything.
Wayback when I heard people say they had problems with #7. I figured I don't use it much, why bother. I have dial-up and videos are horribly slow,and I don't do music on the computer. Somehow I got updated from 6 to 9. Thank you Billie!!