Is your computer set up to autorun when you insert a disk into your DVD drive? (And so make sure you put it in your DVD drive, of course -- not your CD-ROM.) If so, you should get a window once your drive spins up that offers your options for playing your disk. Your computer (or your DVD drive, if you bought it separately) came with DVD playing software. That should be one of the options to select.
Otherwise, you can manually browze for the DVD files on your disk -- but, for best results, don't use Windows Media Player. Use your DVD playback software. You'll find a couple of folders on your DVD. Poke around inside and you'll find the VOB file that is your video.
dvds that I made before say dvd-r 4x. The dvds Im using now and are not working are dvd-r 8x.Will the 4x or 8x make a difference in computer recognizing them in the drive?
yes i have experienced the same problem. pc states "please insert disc" while disc is inserted. made two movies neither will play on pc. both will play on stand alone. tried to view dvd with windvd,nero showtime,winamp player and windows media. will play store bought dvd's great, but not what architec produces. have burned data cd's with no problem, will try to burn data dvd tonight. even decrypter and dvd shrink does not recognize this movie disc. once in nero showtime it errored and stated "drive not ready" other than that nothing happens. also using sony dvd-r's with sony viao, xp pack 2.