Installing video codec on Windows Media Player Vista

[#1]

Just got a new hard drive, and installed windows Vista Home Basic, plus the drivers I downloaded for my Dell inspiron 2200. Laptop.
When I try to play a DVD , windows media player says it hasn`t got the video codec to run it. !  (not much of a "media" player.... )
I have googled and found an MPEG2 codec, that is supposed to solve the problem, but HOW do I install it, and WHERE do I install it to. so that WMP will reconise it....
I have installed VLC media player, and it works fine, but I like to have the graphic equalizer working when watching music videos, and I like the way WMP works.... (well it did with my XP, but I can`t remember that far back as to how I got it working ! ! !)

[#2]

Windows Home Basic doesn't come with a DVD codec, normally when you get a laptop you get a DVD product like Cyberlink PowerDVD - any CD's floating around with this?
Also have a look at http://www.free-codecs.com/download/K_Lite_Codec_Pack.htm

[#3]

VLC Player does have a graphic equaliser. Latest version (0.9.8a) has a button for it next to the play controls. Earlier versions it could be found by pressing (I think) CTRL-G.

[#4]

Thanks for the linky....    have downloaded the Standard and Full versions of K-lite codec pack. and will see what happens !
Thanks for the hint about graphic equalizer on the VLC player....    .. Do you know if you can make "playlists" on VLC? if so how?

[#5]

CTRL-L for the playlist dialogue box in latest version - not sure about previous but probably the same.
Never actually used playlists in any music/video app so far, though. I just prefer to leave on random
Edit: You may find something useful here.

[#6]

Thanks Mav,  Will see how it works out....the wiki is far too complicated for me to understand !