Importing Singer's CDG

[MackieRocks]

I am having a problem with importing songs from singer's CDG's.
I am currently running a Dell Inspiron 9100 with 2GB RAM, Windows XP Home with all the latest updates, and a Plextor Premium-U external drive (used exclusively for importing new songs or songs from singer's own CDG).

When I go to load a singer's song off their own CDG, it locks up every time and I have to reboot. It doesn't tell me what's wrong, it just locks up.

Any ideas???

[ddouglass]

Have you ever used this drive for importing CDGs? It could be the drive can't read CDG.
Are the singer's discs original discs or copies?

[MackieRocks]

I have used this drive exclusively to download CDG's in the past with no problem. Then, one day, it wouldn't work. The CDG's I've tested have been both original & backups. Doesn't matter.

[ddouglass]

This could be from a software addition or upgrade, OS upgrade. or the drive going bad.
When exactly did it quit reading them? What had you done to the computer just before this?

[MackieRocks]

Dale,
It appeared one day after I upgraded Hoster. I can't remember from which version to which version. I'm kinda thinking it might be the burner but, I'm not sure how to rule that out.

[ddouglass]

Are you using 4.09d? If so then yes a couple people did find this also but I am thinking it was externals that quit on them (I'll have to research that). I know that a bug was found and corrected but the new version isn't ready to come out just yet which will have the fix.

[MackieRocks]

I am using 4.09d but the problem has persisted since about two upgrades before that and the Plextor is external.

[ddouglass]

This showed up in 4.09 so if you mean by two versions before as 4.09B and 4.09C. Then yes they would be included.

[mindonstrike]

Try it with the 3.4 that came with 4.xx. If it doesn't work with 3.4 than you've got some other issue going on

Sam

[JNS02]

Could possibly be a bad USB Cable

[MackieRocks]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. This is what makes this forum so great!

I did try loading an individual song under 4.09d & it locks up. I did try 3.4 and it worked fine. I guess I'll just have to wait for the fix. Thanks again!

[MackieRocks]

I'm about ready to get a new laptop. Can someone suggest a good, dependable internal CDG burner/player and/or video card?

[billyo]

you'd be better off buying an ext. drive, i have e/omagic a slim design cd/dvd drive that i bought from compusa ( tiger direct ) for $78.00 and it works fine, i think theres only a few options when buying a laptop with the built in cd/dvd drive, and in my opinion i think ATI video card is better that other v/card and make sure it's MADE by ATI RADEON, not powered by....and if you still can ( maybe by a long shot ) get an xp

[MackieRocks]

Thanks for the input, billyo! I'll look into those options.

[ddouglass]

I don't know about any of the others but Dell is still offering XP on some of their small business computers. I have a Dell Latitude 5500 and everything works right on it, including the internal drive. I don't know how much longer they will be offering XP since Windows 7 will release in October.

[MackieRocks]

Dale (ddouglass),
I have (2) questions for you.

(1) Do you recommend Vista or XP? I know that I'm putting you on the spot & the MTU Team has done a great job in addressing all the Vista issues and a fine job they have done! I'm still a little nervous changing operating systems.

(2) What internal CD+G drive would you recommend, if any? I watch your postings all the time and feel confident about your advise.

Thanks

[ddouglass]

I only have one laptop I use for my back-up system. It is a Dell Latitude and an internal drive that works for CDG. It is always a shot in the dark because laptop makers use whatever they can get that is cheapest for them. I don't have any recommendations other than that for laptop internal drives.
All of my other systems for karaoke are custom built by me in small (Shuttle type) cases. Laptops to me are too prone to failure from heat due to compacted size. If you do have a failure a laptop needs to go to specialists who can change out the parts. With my systems I can change out the bad part very easily. I also can get exactly what I want for my components and not be stuck with what a manufacturer chooses for me.
I always recommend XP and you are not putting me on the spot because I thoroughly agree with MTU on this. I will not have a Vista system ever. Every system I have used or built have been XP since it came out and I refuse to bow down to the Microsoft God that wnats us to use Vista. XP is more stable, less complicated to run and is compatible with a lot of programs that Vista has major problems with.

[MackieRocks]

Thanks, Dale. I appreciate & value your input!

[bryant]

Originally Posted by ddouglass

I only have one laptop I use for my back-up system. It is a Dell Latitude and an internal drive that works for CDG. It is always a shot in the dark because laptop makers use whatever they can get that is cheapest for them. I don't have any recommendations other than that for laptop internal drives.
All of my other systems for karaoke are custom built by me in small (Shuttle type) cases. Laptops to me are too prone to failure from heat due to compacted size. If you do have a failure a laptop needs to go to specialists who can change out the parts. With my systems I can change out the bad part very easily. I also can get exactly what I want for my components and not be stuck with what a manufacturer chooses for me.
I always recommend XP and you are not putting me on the spot because I thoroughly agree with MTU on this. I will not have a Vista system ever. Every system I have used or built have been XP since it came out and I refuse to bow down to the Microsoft God that wnats us to use Vista. XP is more stable, less complicated to run and is compatible with a lot of programs that Vista has major problems with.

I agree with Dale 100%. My wife uses a shuttle we custom built too. When I'm out during the week doing a few shows I bring and use a Dell laptop, but, as Dale said, they can be unreliable, and I have had my share of troubles with other DJ programs too, who all do NOT recommend the use of laptops. If you do use a laptop, you have to know that thing inside out and have a backup one right there at all times, as I do.

An f.y.i., my wife dropped the shuttle last week and it knocked the video card around enough so that we did not get a picture, she took it apart right there with a "phillips", pushed the card back in, unbent the frame a little and all was fine. That would have cost about 400 dollars with any laptop at a shop that "knows" laptop repair.

[billyo]

i've been thinking of building my own pc, the only problem i have was logging an ext. monitor, and also my wife will kill me if i get another pc, i have 7 total, 4 laptops, and 3 optiplex workstation pc's