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Chip, why do you suggest it's the DVD? are they more resource hungry than a CD drive?
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Simple.
From the specs he has about his computer system, there's really nothing else that could be causing this problem. Unless it's all configured really badly (highly doubtful since the machine was configured by MTU), he only has problems when using the drive. There are some VERY distinct differences between DVD and CD Rom drives, add to the fact that some of these customers bring in a burnt discs makes it even worse—like the speed of the burn vs the media it's on, head "drift" based on the age of the burner, etc.
A. He has plenty of memory.
B. Lots of processor power
C. Runs very little in the background.
D. Only crashes when the drive is in use. AND the drive seems to be crashing the peripheral software (winamp).
One other problem here could be winamp itself. IF it's battling hoster for more dynamic memory as it's running, then the party's all over there for winamp. Hoster is using as little memory as it can without compromising playing a track. When you import a track (temporarily), that's a LOT of data that has to be read off a disc in a fairly short time and hoster will attempt to allocate whatever it can find (that's not already in use) for this purpose. IF winamp is doing the same thing (at the same time) then a virtual memory "tug-of-war" is in the works and winamp's losing—and crashing out.
My machine isn't as robust as Harry's yet I run a LOT more in the background and never have a hiccup.
I have 512mb RAM, a 2.4ghz processor, 2 sound cards and running at the same time I have:
1. Hoster
2. BPM Studio (a full-fledged DJ program that "rolls" music constantly in the background)
3. C.O.R.E. Media Player - this allows me to pop up and play full-screen video at any time. (for things like PSA's or just funny videos, MUCH better than Windows media player)
4. SongFinder Reciever — A program that "floats" above hoster and recieves song request from singers via a wireless network. (this program alone, "polls the network" every 3 seconds for new requests and has NEVER interferred with hoster.)
So, I am in effect, doing more with far fewer resources than Harry. For what he has, it has to be narrowed down to the DVD drive.