Not sure why WMP is acting up -
AnyDVD should not have touched any thing to do with it. Might be worth just trying opening WMP going to Tools - Options and then into file types and make sure DVD Video is selected (don't think that will matter as it just sets the default player).
The PAl/NTSC thing doesn't matter on your PC - only if you are playing on external equipment.
http://prdownloads.sourceforge.net/g...5.zip?download - click here to get Media Player Classic - a great program that will play just about anything and see if that works for you.