Any ideas on why my computer can no longer encode an mp3 from a CD?

[blackbeltninja]

Hey guys

A bit of background: I've always used MusicMatch Jukebox to encode mp3 files from CDs; I am currently using version 8 (although v10 is out, I have a licenced v8 ). I have the same spec of the programme running at home and at work and suddenly my home computer cannot make mp3s.

Basically, MMJB stopped working, so I tried to reinstall it. The install crashes with an error message halfway through. It still works at my office, though, and when I uninstalled and reinstalled it at the office using the same CD, it works fine - guessing it's not the install file.

At the same time, none of my other encoders - AudioCatalyst, among others - will work at home either any more. They start fine and claim to be encoding, but I just get a load of static as the mp3. I have tried ripping from both a DVD-rom and a CD-rw with the same results, so I'm guessing it's not the drives. Also, I can use Win Media Player to make wma files with no problem. I can write mp3 files back to audio CD as well with no problems.

Both machines are running WinXP Pro - in terms of the campus agreement with MS, staff members can upgrade their Win98/Me/2000/XP Home to the university's version of XP Pro, which is what I did. It was a clean install - I bought a new hard disk before putting on XP Pro, and it worked fine from last March until mid-April 2007 when it all went to pot. I do the Win updates at home regularly as well, so I'm sure that updating won't solve the problem.

Net searches have suggested I might need a new ASPI layer, but according to others out there, XP already has ASPI covered.

Anyone got any ideas? I'd appreciate a pointer or two. I've never seen anything like it before and I am desperately trying to avoid reinstalling WinXp from scratch.

Thanks
-d-

 

[Corny]

is your cd drive connected over a small cable to your soundcard, and is this cable still in place?
did you install some cd-emulators like daemon-tools, virtual-drive, alcohol 120% or similar?

 

[blackbeltninja]

Thanks Noelie - will give it a try. I didn't think of soundcard drivers, but I thought it might have stemmed from when I allowed WinUpdate to install IE7. I did roll it back to IE6 2 weeks ago but that hasn't fixed anything

Corny - I haven't popped the casing on the box since I installed the new hdd last March, but I assume the cable hasn't come off. I can still play CDs and DVDs and I presume the CDs at least use that when they play, and also when ripping to wma files. I'm not all that clued up with the differences between mp3 and wma and how the computer writes each file type, so I may be wrong here, but I'll check the cable tonight anyway. A thought - does it matter which drive I connect the cable to? I have a cd-rw and a dvd-rom and I think it's connected to the dvd.

I do have both Alcohol 120% and Daemon tools running, but I have had those running since I put the machine together. I also have both of those running on my machine at the office with no trouble (yet).

Cheers
-d-

 

[Corny]

all my questions aim at the encoders settings, regarding the way it rips the audio from the cd.
it could be the ASPI drivers which sometimes change when you install something like daemon tools, or just another burning program. also your encoder could use very old methods iE over mscdex.exe or analaog and that is where the cable comes into play.
just because you can still "play" the cd, it doesn't mean you can rip them - your encoder could use another method for accessing the music than your player.
as you said you recently installed XP (or better "upgraded" a term not worth anything when using MS products, clean re-intall usually is way better). that could very well have fucked up the ASPI drivers . did you try to re-install audiocatalyst? or toy around with audio catalysts cd-rom-access method? (in settings)

 

[blackbeltninja]

Yeah, i did fiddle with audiocatalyst settings, changing the access methods. thats how i managed to record the static. I got nothing but an error before trying to change settings.

The xp was done onto a new hd. It wasnt an upgrade from 98 or 2k. Its been perfect until about 6 weeks back. The only major change was the upgrade to ie7.

-d-

 

[blackbeltninja]

The soundcard is an old SB Live, currently out of service and support, according to Creative.

The mobo came with onboard audio, and I did try to switch back to that using the Control Panel to see if it was perhaps my SBLive but still no joy.

I have downloaded the most recent driver from Creative before the card went out of service, and I have taken the ASPI thing as well. Will give them a go when I get home and hope for the best.

I am still mystified, though, as to why I cannot get Jukebox to reinstall - it just crashes. Bearing in mind, Jukebox should be able to install/run purely as a winamp-like music player, even if you don't intend to rip anything or write anything back to a CD - as far as I can understand it, anyway. Does a system have ASPI if you don't have a cd writing app like Nero or Adaptec onboard? If no, what does that tell us about the problem, if anything? I am stumped.

Thanks for the help, guys. Will update again tonight with hopefully good news.

cheers
-d-

 

[blackbeltninja]

^Gah! Where did you find this stuff???

I've been sifting through Google and Google Groups since this happened without finding anything this detailed. Brilliant!

cheers
-d-

 

[Corny]

it's all about knowing the right search terms

 

[blackbeltninja]

^Indeed. Although I'd have thought "Musicmatch media jukebox 8 reinstall xp ie7" would have worked... anyway.

Well, the good news is that it worked. New ASPI layer and reg muckout allowed the reinstall and (currently) everything is working beautifully.

Thanks so much for all your help. On the off-chance we find each other in each other's neck of the woods, I owe you both a beer.

cheers
-Dale

 

[blackbeltninja]

you could've at least mentioned chicken entrails and various black magic rituals

I'm delighted that it's fixed - well done blackbeltninja

Nobody is more delighted than me

Incidentally, I tried the black magic. As a result, my next tech question is: how do you get chicken entrails out of a USB port? They're kinda starting to smell...

-d-
PS: I take it you've been to Cape Town, then... alas, I have yet to get even close to the Kilkenny brewery.
PPS: Castle is liquid shit. Our Carling Black Label or imported Amstel or heineken are way, way nicer.