I've found that burn speed is critical to cross machine compatibility. I can burn a CD a 40X or higher and it plays fine on the system it was burned on. Take it to another systems and the problems you've mentioned are everywhere, if it plays at all.

I've since learned to help insure a stable burn, 4X to 8X is pretty safe, sometimes 16X.

I also burn from a hard drive image never "on the fly".

Hope this helps.

You would be better off using the Record Now to make the "music" CD.  Use CD-R's, not RW discs and as mentioned keep the burning speed to 12X or less.  I burn my own music CD's that I sell at concerts and my "standard" is 8X, so it is compatible with almost any CD player and especially the finnicky car in-dash CD players.   Also you need regular "music" CD's, not Mp3 CD's (only CD players that specifically state they are MP3 compatible will play MP3's).

One other note, DO NOT use paper labels on CD's for car in-dash CD players.  If the paper label comes off or fragments come off inside the CD player your are looking at $$$ to repair the unit (and I know several cases where they had to buy a complete new radio with CD player).

Message Edited by nau1977 on 03-08-2005 08:10 AM

You don't need the "music" CD-R's.  They are for some standalone music CD burners that need to see that special coded track.  The music CD-R's cost more as there is a royalty paid to the music industry.   PC's only need the standard "data" CD-R's.

The recording speed can only be set after you have a blank CD-R loaded in the drive.  If there is no CD in the drive it will default to the maximum speed of the drive and not let you change it.

I've just went through a trial by fire getting my DVD Writer working properly.

Three steps were required and all problems went away, maybe if you do the same yours will too.

1. Download the latest ASPI layer:

Visit http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/support/driverdetail.jsp?cat=%2fProduct%2fASPI-4.70&filekey=aspi_v471.exe&sess=no

When you open the downloaded zip file, an ASPI layer will automatically unzip to the ADAPTEC folder on the "C" drive.

Open the ADAPTEC folder, then open the ASPI folder, and then double-click on the ASPIINST.EXE file to execute the update. XP users run the Install.bat as per Adaptec's instructions.

This will install the update and then you will need to restart your computer.

2.  Update the firmware of your drive.

Some CD/DVD writers and players have trouble with specific brands of media. I recommend using TDK, Maxell, Verbatim, Pioneer, Ritek or Princo media. I also advise buying new media brands in small amounts until you find one that works best.