I just had an issue where I was trying to install PowerDVD 5.1 onto a Dell laptop with a fresh Windows XP install. The PowerDVD software was on Dell branded media and I had reinstalled the laptop using a non OEM Dell branded version of Windows XP Professional. It seems that there is a check during the installation process of PowerDVD to verify that the software is indeed being reinstalled back onto a Dell branded computer. As I hadn’t used the original reinstallation CD that came with the laptop I had half guessed that PowerDVD was going to complain.
Here is a screen shot of the error I was presented with:
Being familiar with various forms of installers I started to probe into the contents of the files on the CD. I copied all files from the CD into a folder on the desktop. A quick inspection of all editable files revealed a file called Custom.ini with what looked to be a condition for the setup.exe Installshield installer.
Its contents included the following 3 lines of text:
[PowerDVD]
CLScan=DELL,Unbranded
RunDVDLauncherMCE=1
Immediately my attention was drawn to the 'CLScan=DELL,Unbranded' line. This seemed to be the condition of the installer. I tried changing the condition of the 'CLCScan' parameter into various forms such as:
CLScan=ALL
CLScan=ANY
CLScan=(blank)
None of the above seemed to work. Every time I changed the text the error message above would change to reflect the new condition but still not let me install the application. After changing the condition a few times I finally managed to get the application to install. I set the contidion to be:
CLScan=*
The asterisk saved in the Custom.ini file allowed the install to complete without any errors. I have also tried other symbols including an apostrophe and the ‘@’ symbol. You can run the command MSINFO32 to show you the manufacturer of your system which may work if one of the above symbols doesn't. Any of these methods could allow PowerDVD to successfully install. A quick test afterwards revealed that the machine had PowerDVD installed and it was indeed fully functional.
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Thanks for this tip....helped me get around this today. I also changed the line vendor=dell to vendor =*, not sure if it made a difference or not. Was also able to download the updated version, extract the .exe using Winzip and did the same trick on the Custom.ini file it contained.
I just installed a Dell OEM version on my custom built PC, and I tried what you did, but the install failed many times. Then I ran the Windows System Information utility, and I used the information in the "System Manufacturer" field in place of "DELL" in the custom.ini file. And it worked! In my case, the system manufacturer is Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd., but I am willing to bet that it will work with whatever is in the field for any computer.
Theres no CLScan line in my Custom.ini file i check but that is the error im getting
Hey Nathan. What Windows System Information Utility are you referring to? I followed your instructions but in my case it didn't work.
Thanks!
DC
Hey Dario, I assume Nathan means the 'Microsoft System Information' tool. You can run this by navigating to:
Start -> Run..
In the 'open' textbox type:
msinfo32
now click 'ok'
There is a System Manufacturer' field there (the window make take a few seconds to populate).
I guess (if Nathan is correct - I have not tested this yet) Cyberlink have modified the installer in later versions of PowerDVD and it could now be performing extra validation checks during installation.
Thanks James for the quick reply.
I've been trying to install a Dell OEM Power DVD (version 5.5) that came on a Dell System into a custom built PC (Intel DG33TL motherboard running Vista Business x64) with no success.
The system manufacturer from msinfo32 is: INTEL_
After setting:
CLScan=INTEL_
or
CLScan=INTEL_,Unbranded
or any other combination with no underscore, etc.
the setup keeps returning the aforementioned error message.
I ended up installing AVS DVD Player, which is free.
Dario
Hey I just wanted to say that this is great--worked like a charm. I'd made it to the file and line, but wasn't getting anywhere with my guesses. Should've known, good ol' asterisk! Also wanted to mention that I ran into this problem after reformat/reinstall using a Dell OEM copy of XP that wasn't what originally came with the machine and PowerDVD install disc, so it's not just checking to see that you used a Dell install disc, but the correct Dell install disc--probably has to do with different releases of the XP disc by Dell.
Hi, we had tried the method by James and it able to install successfully on our DIY desktop. However, there is decoder error shown at the media player when we tried to play some movies. Would appreciate your advice. Thank you in advance.
Hi everybody!
I right now installed a copy of the PowerDVD Application from the dvd shipped with my Dell System on my HP Notebook.
Steps to perform:
Start > Run > Type msinfo32 > Make a note of the System Manufacturer
Copy the installation files from the CD onto a folder on the Workstation
Edit the Custom.ini file using notepad
Replace all the DELL's with the System Manufacturer name( Hewlett-Packard in my case).
Go ahead with the setup.
Thanks to James Clements!
OMG...Thank You soo much I went to a forum earlier that had me try a billion different things and this is the only 1 that works...you're a god
Sudipto, you nailed it on the head. Your steps worked for me when nothing else did. THANKS!
Wonderful! I needed to do exactly as you described. I did a google search and your blog was at the top of the list. I did as you suggested, and "presto" I had PowerDVD installed and running. Thank you very much.
Nice tip! Thanks James. Worked with " * ".
Thanks a bunch! It work on a system I built myself using "*"
The exact text in my Custom.ini file was a bit different. For example, the text "CLScan" was nowhere in the file.
So I just searched for the word "Dell". I found it. Then I replaced the word Dell with an * (asterisk), just like the OP instructed.
It worked like a charm for my custom built PC!
James Clements, you're a badass for figuring this out! Thanks!
I was even kinda proud of myself just to have googled up your answer, lol.
In my case, I just replace the Dell with *. This works in my Virtual PC.
[PowerDVD]
CLScan=*,Unbranded
RunDVDLauncherMCE=1
I tried to change it with System Manufacturer as mentioned by sudipto but it didn't work, this one works for me.
But this forum help me a lot.
msinfo32 did the ticket. Thanks!
Cyberlink PowerDVD 7.0 Dell OEM on a Gigabit Motherboard
You people rock. My version had the following line in the custom.ini file.
vendor=dell
I changed it to
vendor=*
Now I have DVD playing ability again. And I don't feel bad at all, since Dell had the worst customer support and rebate process. I'm glad I built my own system.
I have cyberlink power dvd 7.0 software and Ilooked at your web site but I can't find on here the vendor name to change it to put the program on my ibm laptop. Can you tell me how to find that on this program. It is a dell disk with the cyberlink program. Thanks ED
i bow 2 u james!!!