I have a desktop PC that runs Windows XP Home Edition with the SP3 update installed and fully updated on 1GB of RAM memory. I have been burning music files to rewritable CD-RW and DVD-RW/DVD+RW discs. The files are written to the CDs/DVDs and play from the CD/DVD drive/writer, but won't lay from my home CD/DVD player - Sony DVP-NS77H/B 1080p Upscaling DVD Player - and the multi-CD player in my car. I have tried using the Acoustica CD Burner, Nero 5 and 7, Windows Media Player, and the Real Player CD Burning. The CD-RW/DVD-RW/DVD+RW discs are all new but are cheap at around £4.99 for a pack of five. Should I buy more expensive discs?

Answer

You should use brand-name (Verbatim, Maxell, Sony, Memorex, TDK, Hitachi, etc.) CD-R, DVD-R and DVD+R discs instead of CD-RW, DVD-R and DVD+R discs. The -RW and +RW standards are associated with several compatibility issues that don't trouble the -R and +R standards. CD-R and DVD-R/DVD+R discs that you burn files to are designed to replicate the way in which pressed CD's and DVDs function as closely as possible. As you should know, the music CDs and DVD movies that you buy in the shops are not burned, they are pressed like vinyl LPs are. However, -RW and +RW discs use different technology that makes them have a lower reflectivity and signal modulation than pressed CDs/DVDs and -R/+R discs. Consequently, many home and car CD/DVD players can't read them.

In any case, why use reusable -RW/+RW discs for music when the write-to-once -R/+R discs are much cheaper. Surely, if you want to play the music on your PC, home, and car players, you don't want to erase it. Check your DVD writer and your DVD player manufacturer's website for a list of compatible makes of disc.

If you use an -R/+R disc the DVD player reads it as a -ROM (pressed) disc. Compatible -R/+R discs can be purchased for about 50p each. Phase-change media -/+ RW discs cost more and cause more problems than they are worth. My Sony DVP-NS70H DVD player plays DVD -R, +R, +R bitsetting changed to -Rom, and +R DL bitsetting changed to -ROM. You can also try bitsetting the +R,-RW, and +RW discs so that the DVD player thinks that it is playing a pressed DVD (DVD-ROM disc). Apparently there is no need to bitset -R discs because they play like -ROM discs automatically,but if such a disc refuse to play, try bitsetting it.

You can use CD/DVD burning software to bitset. You can also use Nero to change the BitSet (also known as BookType). I have used Nero 7 Ultra successfully. There is currently no best bitsetting utility. Your CD/DVD-writing software either supports bitsetting or it doesn't.

BookType BitSetting FAQ How to Guide to set DVD+R/+R DL/RW to DVD-ROM - BitSetting DVD,BookType DVD,DVDDecrypter,NEC,Plextor,etc. -

http://www.k-probe.com/bitsetting-booktype-faq.php

Computer diagnostics: How to solve or fix common desktop and laptop PC problems

To diagnose and troubleshoot specific and general problems with Microsoft's software (Windows 95, 98, Me, XP, Vista, Internet Explorer, and Outlook Express) using the MS Knowledge Base, visit the Diagnostics page on this site.

Click a relevant link below to visit the information it describes on this website:

1. - Recovering and repairing Windows XP when a computer crashes or fails to boot

2. - Recovering and repairing Windows Vista when a computer crashes or fails to boot

3. - Windows Vista problems: How to fix problems with Windows Vista

4. - Recover, restore and repair Windows 7 (Win7) when a computer crashes or fails to boot

5. - Windows 7 problems: How to diagnose and fix problems with Windows 7

6. - Windows XP: How to troubleshoot and fix shutdown, restart (reboot), and startup problems

7. - Typical DLL (Dynamic Link Library) device driver problems

8. - Software problems: How to fix problems with Windows, programs, and utilities

Also visit the Software pages on this site for more information on specific software-related information and problems.

9. - Motherboard and power supply problems: How to fix common problems with faulty motherboards (mainboards) and power supplies (PSUs)

10. - RAM memory problems: How to fix problems with the Random Access Memory

11. - Hard disk drive problems: How to fix computer hard disk drive (HDD) problems

12. - CD/DVD drive problems: How to fix problems with CD and DVD drives and discs

13. - Processor problems: How fix common processor (CPU) problems

14. - Video/graphics card problems: How fix common computer video and graphics problems

15. - USB and FireWire problems: - How to fix common USB and FireWire problems

16. - Network problems: How to fix common wired and wireless networking and internet problems

17. - Laptop/notebook problems: How to address or fix the most common laptop/notebook problems

How to fix problems with device drivers in Windows XP and Windows Vista and Windows 7

Although the information on the following page is specific to Windows XP, much of the advice is relevant to the earlier versions of Windows. Click here! to read Troubleshoot Device Driver Problems. Click h ere! to go to Tips for fixing common driver problems in Windows Vista. Those tips should also be applicable to Windows 7.

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Visit the Build a PC page for information on how to build a desktop PC and solve self-build problems, and visit the other pages, such as the Video/Graphics, Sound, Motherboards, and Monitors pages for more problem-solving information, all of which can be accessed via the menu items and jump menu on the orange navigation bar, or via the site search engine at the top of each of the main pages.

The Tips & Tricks pages of this site contain additional useful tips, tricks, and problem-solving advice.

The safest way to upgrade RAM memory: Use the UK and US Crucial Memory Advisors

Paul Mullen, who was the highly-respected computer guru of the Helpfile at ComputerShopper.co.uk - "I have recently been buying my memory only from Crucial Technology. I would rather pay the extra cost than waste time trying to track down the obscure program faults that bad memory can cause."

The best way to choose RAM memory for a brand-name desktop or laptop computer, or memory for a particular make/model of PC motherboard is to make use of the Crucial Memory Advisors (provided under the brief guideline on the minimum memory requirements for Windws XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7). If the Crucial memory you receive does not work, you are guaranteed a refund and standard shipping is free.

The memory requirements of the versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7

Most of the versions of Windows Vista require more RAM memory to run optimally on a computer that doesn't use memory-hungry applications than Windows XP. A video-editing application is an example of memory-intensive software. Only Windows Vista Home Basic has a recommended minimum amount of memory of 512MB, which is the same amount recommended for Windows XP. Windows Vista Home Premium, the most popular version, and Windows Vista Ultimate require a recommended minimum of 1GB (1024MB) of memory, which is twice the amount of minimum memory recommended to run Windows XP. Note that if you are using a 64-bit version of Windows, up to 4.0GB, it requires twice the amount of memory as a 32-bit version, which can only use a maximum of about 3.5GB. For more information on computer memory, read the RAM pages of this site, which includes information on the lower memory requirements of Windows 7.

UK - Crucial Memory Advisor - UK

USA - Crucial Memory Advisor - USA

How to Use the Crucial Memory Advisor

For example, if your computer has an Asus motherboard, open the menu, scroll down to ASUS, and click GO. If, say, you have a Dell computer, scroll down to DELL, and do likewise. You will be taken to the relevant information on Crucial's website.

If you don't know the make and model of the motherboard installed in your computer, here is a good free utility - Belarc Advisor - that creates an analysis of the hardware and software on a personal computer. Look under FREE DOWNLOAD - http://www.belarc.com/. Another utility that also provides detailed information on the memory itself is CPU-Z.

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