Vista, MP3 CDs, and Versas?

[Ever Victorious]

OK you SL folks, I've got a question.

First... answer ONLY if you are running Vista on your PC. I know what all you Mac, XP, and 2k owners think about Vista. That's nice, but your opinions are irrelevant and counterproductive in this case.

I've been having difficulties with MP3 discs that I burn under Vista not working in MP3 head units, including the 6-disc changer inside the Versa.

Have any of you with Vista successfully burned MP3 discs that will play in your V? Are you using aftermarket software to do it? If so, what? If not, how are you getting them to work?

I made 10 freaking coasters tonight, so I'd like to get this resolved ASAP.

[GoodbyeCavalier]

its worked successfully for me using windows media, or just using the burn now function straight frim the cd drives window. never had an issue with either method and the second one makes it a little bit louder in the car.

[bosoversa]

have you tried other MP3 CDs burned from computers with other OS's?

[Demonspawn]

i have vista at home i will try it when i get home tonight and let you know!

[ThirstyRoss]

EV - have you changed media (from one brand of CD to another)? Some players are picky about which types of media they like to read...?

EDIT: Also trying burning the CD using the lowest write speed, this will also increase compatibility.

[Ever Victorious]

EV - have you changed media (from one brand of CD to another)? Some players are picky about which types of media they like to read...?

EDIT: Also trying burning the CD using the lowest write speed, this will also increase compatibility.

I use only TDK brand. After working for years in a shop where we did CD data backups, and using many many brands, I found TDK to be far and away the most compatible and reliable.

Also, the burner DOES burn the disc. But the disc is unreadable to anything except a computer running Vista or XP. Furthermore, there is no burn speed throttle setting in Vista's built-in burning software.

have you tried other MP3 CDs burned from computers with other OS's?

When I had my last V, I was running XP on the computer I had. Those discs read flawlessly. I have not yet had an opportunity to test discs burned from my wife's computer (because I ran out of discs last night).

its worked successfully for me using windows media, or just using the burn now function straight frim the cd drives window. never had an issue with either method and the second one makes it a little bit louder in the car.

I can't get Windows Media player to burn an actual MP3 disc, it will only allow me to burn regular audio discs.

[NY.AD.MAN]

I own a Vaio with Vista:

Part of your problem may be coming from the fact that some of the original versions of Vista had a buggy Windows Media Player. Just download the Windows Media Player for Vista again and it should work fine. Also, how are you trying to change from Audio to Data disc?

[Martin Roy]

Solutions:1- Like you said, you can't use Media Center to burn, since you want the songs in file (.mp3) format, not in audio (.cda). Try using Vista's file burning software. I belive that right-clicking on afile and choose "burn to disc" will allow to do so.2- Get a third-party burning software such as EasyCD Creator, Nero, and so on... You can find freeware that'll do the job.3- Try changing disc brand. Even if TDK is usually the most compatible, it might not be with the Versa.4- To avoid creating coasters, burn on CD-RW disc. I burn a few mixes on CD-RW, so if I want to add songs, I'll be able to do it later and reuse the same disc.

If you try all four of these solutions, it will most probably work. Even after the first one it should be OK. If nothing works, I guess your dealer will see you.

[Ever Victorious]

Ok... perhaps I should have phrased my initial question differently.

Have any of you HEARD of this issue and a possible resolution that does NOT require 3rd party software or changing media? I am already well aware of how I CAN fix it, I knew all that before I even posted.

I'd just like to fix it without spending any money if possible.

NY.AD.MAN - I appreciate your response. This is the kind of thinking that I am looking for. Sadly, as I'm not using Media Player, it won't fix anything.

I tried searching google for an answer to this, but that was pathetically hopeless. I was just hoping someone else had actually run into this issue.

[msb0b]

I have zero problem here with Vista, CD-RW's and Versa's head unit. I use Vista's built-in cd/dvd writing function.

Vista insists on using "Live File System" for CD-RW's. I have to change it to "Mastered File System" every time I am writing or erasing a disc. This option is hidden in autorun's and burn cd wizard's detail pane.

Another thing to try is a different burner.

[michelkenny]

Are you sure that Vista is closing the disc session? If it leaves it open (to add more files later), the Versa probably won't be able to read it. Not sure where the option is... maybe right-click on your burner -> properties -> burning tab -> advanced? That's just off the top of my head.

[KimberKenobi]

umm... just a suggestion... some head units have problems playing music CDs that are on data disks or data CDs that are on music disks... which type of media are you using?

oh, and your windows media problem you can correct in the preferences menu... it's an output option that you can change to get it to burn mp3s

[Ever Victorious]

Michel - yes, it is closing the session... that option is already correct.

Kimber - Can't find any such menu, much less option. And these are data discs. I know well the difference between the two and what can happen if you use the wrong type.

Ah well... I bit the bullet and bought Roxio. Here we go..

[KimberKenobi]

Then maybe the V's stereo likes music disks? I think all the mp3 CDs I've used in the V were on music disks.

As for WMP...File -> Tools -> Options'Burn' tabSelect 'Convert to:'

I believe that this creates mp3 cds if I remember correctly from the last time I used WMP to make an mp3 CD...

[Demonspawn]

ok i just tried it on vista home just using drag and drop from folder set the burn to mastered and then just drag my data to the disc and burn

just took it out to the V and all is well all tracks played shows up on display as MP3/WMA

loaded 50 mp3's on disc for test all is well

[Demonspawn]

you wasted your money dood!burns in vista just fine should have got nero instead of roxio.

[Demonspawn]

1. put blank disc in tray.2. double click drive in windows explorer and click show option.3. choose mastered4. drag files to window and after your done just click burn

[matttail]

Nero and Roxio both suck. Go for the free stuff - CDR tools Front End.

[Demonspawn]

yea i am having my doubts about the new version of nero for vista not as easy to use as the older versions for some reason

[Ever Victorious]

That's implying that Nero ever worked well to begin with.

Yeah, Roxio decided that my drive wasn't a burner. That was freaking fun.

And I don't ever use "free" tools off the internet (Except ad-aware and avast). Had WAY too many damage, corrupt, or crash OS modules.

[Demonspawn]

i always had great luck with nero!but you dont need em to burn mp3 files to disc though.

yea i only use things for free i research and there is alot out there plus the pcguru team i belong to has a vast knowledge base between all the members. we used to have out own radio show pc tech help call in show.

[Ever Victorious]

OK... got it to work. It took a combination of 3 things...

1) turning on mastering mode2) reloading Windows Media Playerand, most oddly...3) reloading DirectX

don't ask me what they all have in common. I just know it works now.

[msb0b]

Glad to hear it works now

[Demonspawn]

wow!

thats weird.

i never even opened media player to make mine the first try was a success and i was using some kind of generic disc

i was just playing with the stereo on the way into work today and got the display to show song playing it was pretty kewl.

[piggyhill45]

Nero. Never use Windows Media to burn anything.