I believe you need to have at least .net Framework 2. That is why you need to periodically do the Custom updates. It isn't just a one time thing.

Pardon my ignorance, but what is .Net Framework2?

I periodically go through my device manager and right click on each device to update the drivers...I frequently update my virus protection software, frequently run the virus scan, defrag at least once a week and run disk check and windows updates...

Sorry Dale..My last post should have said .Net Framework 3.0 Service Pack 1 .:s...However It seems the issue is fixed. I've loaded 15 or so songs without any drop-outs.
All I did was.. Remove 3.317..Downloaded Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Ran Clean Disk & Defrag (which I do frequently)
Installed Hoster 3.321...
Running smooth.....Again I am using a MTU Drive, Maybe just needed a clean install :?

.net Framework is a Microsoft background program/process not a device. Look in your Add or Remove Programs on your control panel. If you don't have it and need it you will find it listed on Microsofts Update page under the Custom Updates.

I have been having this problem for the past 2 years using Hoster from 3.1 to 3.317. It wasn't my Drive, because I could play a Singer's Disk using another program, but could not add it to the Playlist in Hoster. Before I found that other program, I carried a separate CDG Player just for playing Singer's Disks. (I still do)

I attribed my problem to using an old laptop that just wasn't fast enough. But now I have a dual-core with all the bells & whistles & still Hoster crashes when I Add a Song from a Singer's Disk at the same time Hoster is running a Show.

:) I have never had this problem on either of my laptops. I do use an MTU supplied External burner for adding the cdg's though. I use hoster 3.316 and it also worked fine in earlier versions.

I used my Ext. Plextor drive with the old laptop & it always crashed when trying to ADD a song from a Disk while Hoster was playing another song. However, I have not yet tried this with my new/faster laptop. I'll try again!

I don't know Sky, Admin makes it pretty clear in this post:
http://forum.mtu.com/showpost.php?p=74216&postcount=14
that the CD/DVD drive you use is very important. I too have used Hoster for years but like hwheele43r, without any import problems.

If I had to buy a different CD/DVD drive to stop carring a CD+G machine, I'd pull out my credit card so fast it would set my pocket on fire. :e :r My motto is "Travel Light", carring that extra machine would be a pain to me.

Just Trying To Help

Jim :g

I don't like carrying that extra machine either. But I already have an external Plextor drive & my old laptop still could not Add very many songs to the Playlist, while running a Show, without crashing. So, it just seemed easier. My old laptop was only 1.0 Ghz with only 512 RAM (could that have been the problem?) The good thing about having the extra machine, is that if/when Hoster does lockup, I can still play music while waiting for the computer to "reboot".

I haven't tried using my Ext.Plextor since I got my new laptop with 2Gigs of RAM. However, that still means carrying an extra machine. I just hated to spend more money for an "internal" drive when I already spent the money on an "external" drive - guess it's time to think about it........

Can you plug your new external drive into your old laptop? Wait, I reread your post and see you tried this. :s Or did you?

Jim :g

Actually I bought the Ext. Plextor before I put Hoster on a laptop. It's the 716UF which MTU says is still good to use. To answer your question, Yes I used it with my old laptop but could only upload a few songs before crashing, so that's why I thought it was not enough RAM.

I still need to try it with my new laptop. I wanted to make sure everything else was working properply with Vista before I tried doing more. I had hoped that my new laptop would have a better drive, but I've read all sorts of complaints on the internet about it & there are no Updates available. So, using an Ext.HD is still an extra machine & having the CDG machine already hooked up, it was just easier to continue that way.

Gotcha, just trying to help.

Jim :g

I can't make it break with my laptop that has XP operating. But I have problems with the Vista laptops. My Vista will crash from time to time, but it is more sporatic than every third CD. I have a bigger problem with skips in the song that is playing and the bigger the skip the more the words are out of sync with the music.

I guess I'm going to show my ignorance, if my problem is not having all the custom updates, defragging, and the updates to the disc drivers thing, maybe someone could give me some help with that and see if my problem goes away. thanks, Stu

Stu..Have you done the custom updates? What version of .Net Framework do you have? Are you using a MTU certified drive? What Version of Hoster?

Try your sound adjustments. It sounds like the audio hardware acceleration is too high for your card to work without causing breaks in the audio.

3.321 and no i'm not sure how to do all the custom updates or how to defrag.

For the updates click on Start and find the Windows Update on the menu and click on it. When you get to the Microsoft Update web page, click on the Custom button. The web site will check your computer and then tell you what is available. Install everything .

To defrag, open My Computer, right click on the C drive and go to Properties. Across the top of the Properties window find the Tools tab. Defragment is the middle one. Click on the button and that will take you to it.

Both of these operations will take some time but are well worth it.

thank you i'll give that a try and report back here if that fixes the cdg problem.

I appreciate all the help, thanks again

First, as can be seen, it is not clear that Hoster 3.321 is failing. However, since a number are experiencing the "3" import and then crash, there does seem to be something going on. I've scheduled it to be reviewed this coming week. We're closing in on Hoster 4.0 release.

I'll be looking for your post as to what happens when you do CUSTOM update of Windows.

Proof that this problem is not a simple bug in Hoster. It is system related, and that's harder to diagnose.

Low RAM can cause all sorts of unexplainable problems. Since we are importing a CDG track, that can require 30-90MB RAM during the import, the actual track being imported may also be significant. Shorter duration files may work and longer ones not.

Since some others don't experience it, the strong indication is there is some system dependency is at play here. 512MB RAM today, with all the Windows Updates that continually are downloaded and installed, could explain the problem.

The fact you have had a problem with this for 2 years is painful to hear. I thought everything was smooth with this CDG import. :e

Is it possible to upgrade your RAM to 1GB?