Pc problems

[MsUther]

Two things I`m struggeling with at the moment. This has nothing to do with the site, its my pc.

1- I`m trying to do a backup on a picture folder, the file is 5.8GB, my pc wont let me use a double layered rec cd so I cant get it all on one cd.
Also, when I try to burn part of the file on a single layer cd, 4.7GB, I get the message that an error ocured and the whole prosess is aborted.

I was wondering if anyone have a clue on what the problem might be, and I also wonederd if I can zip my folder to get all copyed on one cd?
I do not have a zip station.

2- All my music files is getting stored as MP3`s. When i try to copy a file to a cd, the cd gets written so that i can play it on my pc, but not on my cd player.
And my silly mini stereo have no input thingy for a cable between my pc and the stereo.
Point is, i need to get some stuff off my pc before it crash. Its almost full.

Does anyone know how i convert my MP3 files to WMA ( if that is what i need to copy the files over to a disc), and what option i need to change to get permanently WMA storing of the music?

I am not letting my neighbour loose on my pc ever again! Last time was very embarresing

Any advice would be much appreciated

[redEva]

did you consider breaking the folder in two smaller ones? create picfolder2 and MOVE (don't copy) half of pictures there .

use this: winrar utility to compress your files - it works better and has higher compression rate (free)

MP3s : just back them up to CDs or DVDs (which will hold much more - if you have DVD writer). what you can actualy listen to on your CD player - depends on the CD player itself - some will play MP3s (not that expensive to buy either) but older ones will not.

there are freeshare utilities you can find to convert MP3s to other formats ... I will look if I can find it - and post here if I do

if i was you - i would back up all i dont want to loose and than reformat PC - doing that occasionaly, does prolong its usability ;P

good luck

[MsUther]

Thank you for replying and helping out, redEva

I have the winrar, but have never used it for pics, so i was yhinking of winzip. But i will try using the winrar.

I have not tried braking the file up in two, I just picked out a few that I couldnt get under the 4.7GB limit and tried to get it copyed.
I will make two folders of that huge one, like you said, and try copying it then.

Yes, my stereo is 1 year old, but Panasonic is known for silly stuff like not having a input/output option on the products in my price range. Atleast thats what the clerk told me when I asked him the other day what was up with the no option sillynes. I wish he told me one year ago..!

I could use a freshare utilitie that you mentioned. I think that is my option.

And reformating my pc... could I do that on my own? Or do I have to deliver it to some professionals?

[Rabbit1]

refromating is not difficult just make sure you have the orginal installation software to get your operation system back ---but reformatting is usually not nessary unless there are errors on the harddrive ----why do you want to re format?

[MsUther]

I haven`t really thought about reformating. It was sugested to me.
I have no virus or bug problems, and all works good and dandy.

My problem is just that i cant get any of my pics copied over to a disc, not even when i have enough room on the cd or when i have tried copying both the mega big folder (5,8 GB) or opened it and copied one and one under-folder.

And the only message i get from windows is that a problem have ocured; options - try again, overlook or abort. And trying again or overlook doesn`t get me any further.
There is no report on the nature of the problem.
It ocures on everything from my own camera., Cannon ixus 700, and on folders from an older Cannon cam. It`s no problem copying folders and files downloaded from internet... gah, im at a loss here.

[Rabbit1]

I do not think reformatting will do you any good ---sounds like a program glitch ----or not enough room on your harddrive to do the mass burn ----Try keeping atleast 1./3 of your harddrive free to do the dvd or cd burns you need to do---I burn alot of dvd movies and MP3s---that is what I had to do ---stop downloading and start burning before my harddrive got too full

[MsUther]

That might be the answer, actually.
Since buying premium account at Rapidshare a few days ago, i have downloaded loads of music...and a li`ll from The Cellar`s movie rack...
and this have never been a problem before.

But then, i cant get the music burned on cd`s correctly, the music files are being stored as mp3 files...for some reason, and the cd player i have don`t recognice mp3...

redEva mentioned something about utilitys to convert mp3, and i think that is what i need to do.

Thank you for the response and advice Rabbit1, I appreciate it a lot

...and by typing audio converter in google, i amazingly enough got some hits... sheesh, sometimes I`m so slow.

[Tojo]

Ms Uther what program do you used to burn DVDs?

I spent months wrestling with the Windows XP CD burning, then went to my dealer, who handed me 'Nero CD burning' Since then I've never had any trouble. You can format a DVD or CD, copy or move files onto it, take them off again & so forth.

I can also burn music CDs which will play in my CD player. MP3 files should play on a CD player.

Note- a 4.75 Gig is a DVD, not a CD. Cds only hold about 700MB.

As far as I know, you need a CD to play in a CD player- a DVD will only work in more modern players.

Yeah I wouldn't recommend formatting your HDD on the PC, unless you know a bit about it. Have you done a defrag?

Also, have you thought of putting another HDD in your PC- you can easily double your storage space like that.

Check out this site- you can read Q&A without joining, but need to sign up to ask specific questions. You can do a search for specific info.
http://www.tech-forums.net/

WinRAR works really well, but as RedEva says, just break the folder down a bit.

Hope that helps-have fun!

Tojo

[MsUther]

Ms Uther what program do you used to burn DVDs?

I spent months wrestling with the Windows XP CD burning, then went to my dealer, who handed me 'Nero CD burning' Since then I've never had any trouble. You can format a DVD or CD, copy or move files onto it, take them off again & so forth.

I can also burn music CDs which will play in my CD player. MP3 files should play on a CD player.

Note- a 4.75 Gig is a DVD, not a CD. Cds only hold about 700MB.

As far as I know, you need a CD to play in a CD player- a DVD will only work in more modern players.

Yeah I wouldn't recommend formatting your HDD on the PC, unless you know a bit about it. Have you done a defrag?

Also, have you thought of putting another HDD in your PC- you can easily double your storage space like that.

Check out this site- you can read Q&A without joining, but need to sign up to ask specific questions. You can do a search for specific info.
http://www.tech-forums.net/

WinRAR works really well, but as RedEva says, just break the folder down a bit.

Hope that helps-have fun!

Tojo

Thanks for responding and helping me out on this

I have tried both Windows media player, Windows whatever for pics and stuff and also Nero. Its the same problem with them all.

I`ve done defrag and emptyed temp files, the defrag seldom gives much space, i think the pc fix most of the holes as it goes.

I will go have a good look at that tech forum you linked me to, thank you

And the fun part..... yeah, i hope it comes soooooon! Actually, ridding me of all the music files...loads and loads...felt kinda good, it was a mess

[_ID_]

To change any sound format from what it is, to something else you want it to be I use http://www.goldwave.com/ Its free.

Also If your CD player does not play MP3 it wont play WMA or WAV. It will only play CD format. You will need a program that converts the individual song from MP3 or WMA to CD. I think the pro version of winamp will do this. There are others out there as well.

As far as copying files, are you trying to copy whole folders full of pictures, or individual files that are that size. If its just folders, reduce the amount of data to fit onto the size of media your moving to a CD is like 700MB not very big, but will work. As mentioned a DVD disk will hold more, if your computer has a DVD burner that is.

[MsUther]

To change any sound format from what it is, to something else you want it to be I use http://www.goldwave.com/ Its free.

Also If your CD player does not play MP3 it wont play WMA or WAV. It will only play CD format. You will need a program that converts the individual song from MP3 or WMA to CD. I think the pro version of winamp will do this. There are others out there as well.

As far as copying files, are you trying to copy whole folders full of pictures, or individual files that are that size. If its just folders, reduce the amount of data to fit onto the size of media your moving to a CD is like 700MB not very big, but will work. As mentioned a DVD disk will hold more, if your computer has a DVD burner that is.

Thanks for responding and helping out
and I will check out the Goldwave, thanks for the link.

I`m a bit confused to what files my cd player plays. Up until recently i useed windows media player, on windows xp, and burned downloaded files or ripped cd`s and could play everything on my cd player. Then as some problems ocured in filesharing over msn, I by advice changed the mediaplayer settings so it would store/play/ files as mp3.
Then, when i the other day wanted to burn a cd, i hadn`t done that since before i changed the mediaplayer settings, the music got burned in mp3 files and i could play the disc on my pc but not on my cd player.

Regarding the pics, its particulary one huge folder i`ve tried to copy, its totaly 5.8 GB. I`ve tried a double layered dvd (pc have dvd burner) but got the message that the dvd wasn`t alowed- does this mean my pc cant handle double layered discs..I dont know.
I`ve tried to split the file in two, so to fit it into two 4,7 GB single layered dvd`s --- I got the message that a problem has ocured. I`ve tried to copy single folders(600 MB or so) into normal cd`s with 700 MB storage room, and also got the same message.

Now, i have deleted lots of music and stuff from my pc, it now have 14GB free storage room---and still, its the same problem, whatevre sort of disc i try and however big or small the folder is.
I have downloaded full albums the last days, i cant copy those either over to a cd or a dvd
What i could copy, however, was all the pics i`ve copied from this site

Im totally confused about this.

[Warbaby1943]

Another thought is to try a "Backup" instead of a "Copy" All Window OS come with some version of backup. A backup of music will not play on your CD player but it may allow you t make more room on your computer and then selectively restore files as you have the space to do your copying. More trouble but it should allow you to make room on your hard drive as Rabbit suggests may be your problem in the first place. Just get into the Help file and type "backup" to see how your version of Windows handles it.

Once you have a valid backup you can delete the files you just backed up to make room on your hard drive. After you get everything backed up and deleted then restore them one at a time to try to copy them as you originally wanted. If you can then copy them, after the copy is completed delete them again to make space available for you next files you want to copy to disk.

It's a lot more work but may be a viable solution to your problem if it is, in fact, disk space limiting your ability to copy correctly.

[MsUther]

Another thought is to try a "Backup" instead of a "Copy" All Window OS come with some version of backup. A backup of music will not play on your CD player but it may allow you t make more room on your computer and then selectively restore files as you have the space to do your copying. More trouble but it should allow you to make room on your hard drive as Rabbit suggests may be your problem in the first place. Just get into the Help file and type "backup" to see how your version of Windows handles it.

Once you have a valid backup you can delete the files you just backed up to make room on your hard drive. After you get everything backed up and deleted then restore them one at a time to try to copy them as you originally wanted. If you can then copy them, after the copy is completed delete them again to make space available for you next files you want to copy to disk.

It's a lot more work but may be a viable solution to your problem if it is, in fact, disk space limiting your ability to copy correctly.

Thanks for posting and helping me out here

Thats mainly what i have done, with the few folders i could manage to copy. They are mostly on mp3, so i cant use them, but theyare deleted from my pc and stored on the disc so i can go back and upload them again later on.
So now i have over 1/3 of the HDD free.

I will go look at the backup option, I havn`t used that, just copyed.

Thanks!

[_ID_]

To take care of your storage space problem, all files not required to run a program could be moved to an external hard drive. This will leave all the needed space free your computer needs to operate. I use a USB external, its 250GB. Have only used about 1/3 of the space on there as of yet. I have about 12GB of music, and I have no clue how much in video and pictures. Additionally if your computer crashes, it doesn't do anything to the external. Ontop of all those features, should I want to take my collection of music, videos or pictures somewhere, and dont want to transport an entire computer, this makes them quite mobile.

V/R
ID

[MsUther]

To take care of your storage space problem, all files not required to run a program could be moved to an external hard drive. This will leave all the needed space free your computer needs to operate. I use a USB external, its 250GB. Have only used about 1/3 of the space on there as of yet. I have about 12GB of music, and I have no clue how much in video and pictures. Additionally if your computer crashes, it doesn't do anything to the external. Ontop of all those features, should I want to take my collection of music, videos or pictures somewhere, and dont want to transport an entire computer, this makes them quite mobile.

V/R
ID

This is what i should do and I will do that when i get the chance, it will also save me from a slow pc when it starts to fill up,lol.

[_ID_]

This is what i should do and I will do that when i get the chance, it will also save me from a slow pc when it starts to fill up,lol.

Your welcome for the help. I hope it turns out well.

V/R
ID

[Tojo]

Just a thought Ms Uther- I've never been able to get CDs to work on a CD player, unless they're R/W CDs.

Just a thought.


Tojo

[MsUther]

Yeah, ty Tojo. But i use the same cd`s as i have always used, and this problem has never ocured before

[OttifantSir]

I am by no means up to the same level of computing as the others that have answered this, but I recently bought a DVD-burner (for TV) myself, and the advice I got at the shop was to buy DVD +R or +R/W, as they are generally supported by more TV-DVD-players than the -R and -R/W format. This also applies to CDs. From what I got told, the -format is generally more for computers and +format more for players.
It is however, somewhat concerning that it just happened after you had changed some settings. If you remember the old ones, maybe try to set them back? Also, I would advise against using Windows Media Player to do any burning. Nero is by far much better, as others have said.

[MsUther]

Thank you for the input, OttifantSir, I will check it out after I have had some sleep, lol, its in the middle of the night, as you know
I have no idea what the settings was before, sorry to say.