this problem seems to be isolated to DVD's. I'm not exactly sure when it started or if it is recurring because I've gone through a couple software DVD players.

What occurs is, when playing a DVD there is no sound and after an indeterminate amount of time the system locks up. No error codes, no bluescreens just freezes.

Now I'm sure I probably haven't given, in any way, sufficient information to sufficiently diagnose the issue. But I'm guessing is has something to do with codecs, is probably windows' fault, and could resolve itself with fresh installs if I knew exactly what to clean out, or more accurately how to clean my slate.

My question is, how would I go about removing any and all codecs or other software remotely related to processing DVD data, specifically stuff under windows governance?

I just went on a blunt-force rampage of removing audio codecs listed under device manager > sound, video, and game controllers > audio codecs

uninstals of my media player, all media plugins, xvid etc

followed up by a bios update, nForce chipset update, installation of the XP Codec pack via http://www.xpcodecpack.com/ and reinstalation of video LAN 0.8.2

Probably wasn't the most elegant solution but its working now. Huzzah.

in the audio codecs list under sound, video, and game controllers the dll list is still barren.. hmm. wonder if that will cause me trouble later on. Oh well

cheers