Hi folks,
I'm not really into computers, just use it for what I need it for. I have a Dell Inspiron E1405 laptop computer (thats whats written right above the keyboard). I got it new about a year ago, and its been great, with one exception.

It has a DVD compatible drive, but when I play a DVD, the sound quality is terrible. It misses just a little sound, a time or two a second, which is really annoying. Today I was installing picture editing software, while listening to itunes, and it did the same thing, though even worse, it would hardly play. My assumption is it can't keep up with all the things I'm asking it to do, hence the loss of sound quality.

Is there an upgrade or something I can do, to make this thing work better? I don't have a whole lot of pictures (around 700 currently), any computer games, nothing really other than itunes, the picture software, and the basic word, powerpoint etc. stuff on it. My antivirus is up to date, and its never had a virus. It has done this since brand new.

On a related note, I've heard of getting a tuner that would allow me to watch TV on my laptop. If I could get the sound good, I would like to look into that. I live in a dorm for college, and out on a guest ranch in the summer, so space is limited and this would do okay for a TV. If anyone has recommendations in that direction I would really appreciate it.

Thanks all!

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1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

I'm not a computer person I just play one of t.v. You might need to bump up your RAM (random access memory), just a thought.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

I'm not a computer person, either, but try watching a movie with no other apps open. If the sound is still choppy, Mistress is probably right -- get some more memory.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Can you check in device manager if your DMA for your DVD drive is turned on?

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99 Gurkha with OM616 IDI turbo

2015 Gurkha with OM616 DI turbo

2014 Rexton W with OM612 VGT

RAM is your problem...

...I installled a free DVD reader absconded from another machine into my daughter's computer, and it struggled with audio/video synchronization. RAM fixed that, but I eventually replaced the guts with a more powerful engine when I upgraded to XP.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Download this VLC program and install it. Use the task manager to stop any other programs using large amounts of memory and it should be fine.

http://www.download.com/VLC-Media-Player/3000-13632_4-10717934.html?tag=lst-0-1

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

well thanks a bunch... I may have to wait to download that program... 11 mbps right now in the middle of nowhere in Colorado. Hopefully I can get it worked out. Btw, it works better but still not well enough with all other programs closed.

__________________
1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K