Yes, you have 7.68 Gig's of RAM.
So it doesn't appear to be that.

Try going into the Driver MGR like dave67 suggested and install the Intel Driver. I think it's under additional drivers.

Let us know if that helps.

Update the system when you get the chance.

MemTotal:8060724 kb is really 8GB. No can not state that the microcode will fix your issue. Your issue us mainly vlc not able to access libdvdcss2. And I think mint did not update the way it needed to. No not a driver issue but that intel code is useful.

1. Let the system update once you change the upgrade policy. Reload the update manager update all that is there. You will not see kernel updates once you change the policy. From what i read of your lspci -v you do not need to. Than try again with a DVD movie. If playing a DVD fails again lets try installing smplayer. See if vlc will play the dvd. I want to see if vlc has the issue only. So here is the plan.

Open a a terminal type the following if vlc fails after the updates are installed. Than reboot. Please follow the commands in order. Copy and paste one than type in your password press enter. Than wait till each is finished.

(this updates your package list)

(this one removes vlc)

(this re-installs vlc)

(this installs smplayer) an alternative to vlc.

Once this is done try a dvd again. If i am right it should play.

Hi Ztoracat and Dave,
I followed Dave's instructions from the day before re mono and all the other recommendations. Thanks for the clear instructions. This may be mere fantasy but the system feels stable. So I tried a new DVD this morning using VLC and it ran for 48 minutes and then it hung.

I went back to Dave's suggestion to install the Intel driver, but I don't how to. I selected Driver Manager and it automatically updated everything and then went grey not allowing me to select any feature. I then tried Software Manager but that did not work. Synaptic also drew a blank.

I have your instructions for comparing VLC with another player and will do so later in the afternoon.

RenH when you first installed libdvdcss2 how did you install it. Do you remember?

The intel micocode is only though the driver manager. It is possible that your system does not need this microcode update if the CPU is a newer generation. If you reboot the driver manager again if it is still grayed out do not worry about it.

Just a reminder updating the system is though the update manager. I know this kind of configuration is overwhelming to a new user. Your system is stable even if dvd playback have issues. I had glass spacey eyes for a few years.

Hi Ztoracat and Dave,
Well I [think] I followed all the steps you two prescribed. The Intel driver is now installed and the microcode is now connected. I updated, and tried VLC [had an idea that the system was not recognising libdvdcss because VLC was looking for libdvdcss2] but VLC was now worse. So I uninstalled VLC, re-installed but no improvement. I even tried cvlc but nope.

So I installed SMPlayer. I followed the advice on SMPlayer to select the D. Unchecked the . The DVD played the ads for other films but when it came to the main feature [main menu] I could not select anything. It just kept going around and around on the introductory music. I should be able to select whole movie, episodes, and subtitles.

Tomorrow I will try the other DVD which I used this morning as it went for over 40 minutes. But if I can understand how to use SMPlayer and it works I'll just remove VLC. Very sad because I have used it for years but no point in banging my head.

Again, Ican't tell you how thankful I am for all your help and patience.

Hi Ztoracat and Dave,
This morning I re-tried to play a new DVD. I first tried VLC using the terminal and it hung within a couple of minutes. But this time my PC did not freeze, just the VLC. That's an improvement. Here is what the terminal displayed:

VLC:

So I next tried the SMPlayer but got nowhere with it:


I closed the player and reopened it and re-inserted the DVD with the intention of trying to play it on SMPlayer. Unfortunately I had checked the box for using VLC automatically [I thought it was for showing the notice] and so VLC started up and it seemed to have played right through. The DVD was rapid Italian [10 lessons] and it played 9. There was no indication that anything was wrong, so it could well be that the tenth was missing. This evening I will insert a full film DVD and see if it works.

@dave67:

I've never seen those errors in VLC in post #37 before-
What's your take on what's going on with VLC?

Do you think the cmd's in post # 13 in this thread will help?
https://ubuntuforums.org/showthread....1536685&page=2

RenH:

Did you run all of those cmd's in post # 32?

Hi Ztoracat,
Yes, I not only ran them put I pasted them into my page[s] of commands. But as I mentioned in 37, I am going to play a dvd with hands off. But I would like to know how to run SMPlayer. It reminded me of a dictionary I used: the page was not interactive, so you could read but not copy, etc. In this case I could not select play or anything. Well, I've got my fingers crossed, and I'll let you know the verdict.

OK-

SMPlayer should be fairly easy to run.
Right click on the DVD on your desktop and 'open with smplayer'

Let's see what dave67 thinks about the output from VLC.

Hi guys,
Playing with VLC automatically lasted all of 3 minutes the first time and 1.5 minutes the second time. Now I remember distinctly that even when the VLC hung I could access the other programmes, but not so now. The second time I did not use a full screen but it didn't make a difference.

I read somewhere concerning one of the error messages posted earlier that it indicated an overflowing stack. I wonder if the same thing is happening because earlier today when I played my Italian lesson DVD all was well. The reason I suspect is that it is a simple DVD. However, tonight I tried to play the film "Luther", which would be more demanding om the system and it failed.

Ok will try with SMPlayer

Hi Ztoracat and Dave,
When I update should I use the mirror approach or the normal way? Right now I am using the normal way, but I was wondering if as a result something is getting corrupted [thinking of VLC].

The other problem I am having is that when I re-installed VLC and tried to use it, Linux came up with a window asking if I wanted to use VLC every time I played a DVD. I checked the box because I thought I was checking for just the window. Consequently, when I went to play SMPlayer VLC pre-empted it. I can't find a way to remove the priority of VLC so I thought I would just start again and un-install and then re-install VLC, but this time I want to use the correct or better way to re-install the programme.

I looked at post 37 and I have never that output before. I understand that libdvd is having access issues. but do not have a fix. All I have try is fail. I posted your issue on mint linux forum just to see if they have a reply. I have only views so far. If anything really helpful is suggested I will keep all here in formed. New we know that is it not just vlc since smplayer can not play dvd either.

Now I need information and back information of the past issues of this install from you and make and model of the laptop. I assume it is a laptop was not clear on the posts. What install media did you use to install it DVD USB? Your data files that you need to keep are they safe not on this system?

Here is a mint linux 18 installation guide below. I would like you to view this and post any steps that you did not do or not the same as the guide. I read the first post did you have other issues with mint linux 18 before the dvd issues? what OS did this system come with installed when you purchased it. I can not believe is was windows 10.

http://www.linuxtechi.com/linux-mint...h-screenshots/

There is a bug involving your graphics card in launchpad staring 15.04 here is the link.

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...x/+bug/1503731

Now this can be why vlc and smplayer are having issues not really sure.

Hi Dave,
I'll try to answer your requests.
1. It is not a laptop but a Desktop Acer HDMI [don't know what it stands for]. Bought at Future Shop, I did a and here are some of the very long data!
d---
...

---
---
Why do I still have the windows FAT partition? I hope I have given you what you need. If not I can display the rest.

2. I used my Mint 18 on a USB.

3. Most of my data files are on either the external HD or on USB thumb drives or on both. I have "mirror" backups when I had Windows but I don't know if they would work on Linux. I used a special programme my friend sent me.

4. The original OS was Windows 8. I switched to 10 when they offered the free update, but stupidly I did not back up 8 [which I didn't like anyway.]

5 Yes, the main issue I had with Mint was that it would hang -- it was quite unstable. My fingers would rush a little too quickly and the system would stall. As I mentioned earlier, this system feels stable. I keep expecting it to hang but it does not [touch wood] except with the DVD players.

As I mentioned in my last post, I am nailed to VLC because I clicked on the box about always opening with this programme [I thought they meant the display]. I would love to access the window so I can turn the feature off.

I am going to look at the two links you-mentioned and will get back to you.

Thanks again!