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Frequently Asked Questions   

bullet Problems playing DVD movies 
bullet How do I run the new CD Ripper? 
bullet Unable to Rip (Record) Audio CD tracks 
bullet Converting MP3 to WAV 
bullet MP3 encoding 
bullet What happened to the "SL" (CD player only) version? 
bullet Screen frozen (gray background only) 
bullet Problems with Windows NT 4.0 
bullet Command Line Options 
bullet Registration / upgrades FAQ 
bullet CD-Runner License Terms 
bullet Specified device ID out of range 
bullet PC hangs during initial setup 
bullet General installation problems 
bullet Problems playing QuickTime, Video CD and MPEG (including MP3) files 
bullet Problems with CD Changers 
bullet Context Sensitive Help 
bullet Troubleshooting and General Help 
bullet Contacting Technical Support 
bullet Privacy Policy

 

If you are having trouble playing DVD movies using CD-Runner, check the following:
In the CD-Runner Setup, DVD tab, enter your correct DVD drive letter, click "OK" and re-start CD-Runner.
You must have a 3rd-party DVD decoder loaded onto your system (not included with CD-Runner). If you've bought a PC from a major supplier with a DVD drive included, you should have received a utility CD containing a DVD decoder for your system. If you've bought a DVD drive and added it to your system, you should have received a similar utility CD. Locate the DVD decoder software on this CD and  install it. 
For more information on DVD decoders and DVD movie playback including some helpful links: TechTV DVD Decoder Information

 

To run the CD Ripper, load an Audio CD into your drive and when the Audio CD Runner is displayed click the "Record" button (right-most button, next to Play, Pause, Stop). You may also click the "Rip" button under the keypad or use the popup menu (right click faceplate).

 

Several things can prevent you from successfully recording Audio CD tracks, including:
Incompatible CD-ROM, DVD or CD-R/W drive
Incorrect or missing ASPI manager; to record Audio CD tracks your system must have an ASPI manager (usually the wnaspi32.dll file found in your Windows\System directory). Some versions of ASPI do not detect IDE CD-ROM drives, so try to get a later version if you see a message indicating that there was an ASPI error. Windows 95/98 normally come with a version of ASPI that works for both SCSI and IDE drives; for Windows NT you must obtain and install your own. Some ASPI managers to try:
ASPI manager for 95/98/Me/NT4/2000/XP
ASPI manager for 95 ONLY
ASPI manager for 98/NT4/Me/2000/XP
Nero ASPI manager for 95/98/Me
Nero ASPI manager for NT4/2000/XP
Adaptec ASPI manager for 95 ONLY
Adaptec ASPI manager for 98/NT4/Me/2000/XP
Select a different Copy or "Rip" Mode in the Settings / Advanced section; available modes are Normal (default), Synchronous, Burst and Analog (MCI Compatible).
If you have more than one CD-ROM, DVD or CD-R/W drive, try using a different drive to record the Audio CD tracks; select a different drive in the settings section.
If your drive supports DAE speed adjustment, try ripping at a slower speed. Also try different ASPI settings. Read accuracy depends on both the system hardware and software. Click the box "Synch data transfer" under Start button > Settings > Control Panel > System > Device Manager > CD-ROM. Click the box "DMA" under Start button > Settings > Control Panel > System > Device Manager > CD-ROM. (Only available for IDE drives). Move the CD-ROM drive to the secondary IDE, and let it be the only device on that IDE channel.

 
To copy MP3s back onto a CD-R so that they are playable on normal home or car CD players, you need to convert the MP3 to a WAV file. 
The latest CD Ripper supports MP3-->WAV using the LAME encoder/decoder; download LAME and copy into your C:\Program Files\CDRunner directory, then access the CD Ripper and click the MP3-WAV button.
To make WAVs from MP3s and WMA's, go to: http://www.geocities.com/cdrippers/mp3tocd.html
To make audio CDs directly from MP3s, go to: http://www.zy2000.com/.
A decent freeware program that converts between WAV, WMA and MP3 (in either direction, MP3 to WAV, WMA to MP3 etc), download: dBPowerAmp.

 

To encode WAV files as MP3s, you will need an external MP3 encoder. Check the Links page for freeware MP3 encoders. Although we have developed our own MP3 encoder, we cannot include it with the CD-Runner package. This is because two companies (Fraunhofer IIS and Thomson Consumer Electronics) have in some countries been granted patents on MP3 encoding. They demand expensive royalties for every distributed MP3 encoder, no matter if it is distributed for free or as a commercial package. Their claims are in many cases questionable since the legislation in many countries (including the whole of Europe) clearly states that (1) patents only cover commercial use of the patented technology and (2) software-only implementations are exempt from patents. Since we can't afford to have this case tested in court, the best option is to use one of the many external MP3 encoders available over the Internet.

 

The "SL" (CD player only) version of CD-Runner has been discontinued for a variety of reasons, including far fewer registrations, and confusion between the two different versions of CD-Runner. In addition, the latest Media Runner included in the complete version has been so popular with support for MP3 and movie playback, MP3 ID3 utilities and new WMA support that many customers who previously registered the SL version have upgraded to the full version. This will also allow more development time to be spent directly on the complete version of CD-Runner.

 

If the screen appears to "freeze" or "hang" when accessing the Setup or Music Library sections, then it is likely that you have an older, incompatible and/or corrupted Windows\System (OCX or DLL) file. In some cases these files are in use or damaged during the initial installation and are unable to be updated as necessary. To correct, press "Ctrl+Alt+Del" to display the Windows close program box, then close everything except "Explorer". Then rerun the CD-Runner installation.

 

If you are having problems with Windows NT 4.0, try the following:
Log on as "Administrator" before installing CD-Runner
Run Scandisk or a similar utility to ensure that your hard drive is OK
Run a virus scanner with the latest virus DAT files to ensure that a virus is not your problem
Download and install the latest service pack 5 (sp5) from Microsoft
If the volume sliders do not operate properly, use the "Force Windows Compatible" volume option in the CD-Runner setup section; note that you must have the standard Microsoft "SNDVOL32.EXE" in your Windows directory for this force mode to work
If multiple instances are a problem, try the "Exit CD-Runner when CD ejected" option in the CD-Runner setup section, Advanced 1 tab
Close all other programs using the task manager to see if another is conflicting
Download and install the latest NT4 drivers for your Video and Sound Boards

 

Command Line Options - CD-Runner allows various command line options to be used with Windows shortcut icons. To use the command line options below, setup a Windows shortcut icon (right mouse click the Windows Desktop, New, Shortcut) and specify the path to CD-Runner using the Browse button (e.g. C:\Program Files\CDRunner\cdlaunch.exe). Create the icon, then right mouse click on it and go to Properties; in the Target box, add the desired option below after the path (e.g. c:\program files\cdrunner\cdlaunch.exe media). The following command line options apply to the complete version only:
CDROMLIB - go directly to CD-ROM or Audio CD Runner depending on CD type in drive
CDLITE - as above, but minimize faceplate and play
RDLIB - go directly to RD Runner
AUDIOCD1 - go directly to Audio CD Runner
MEDIA - go directly to Media Runner
TRACKxx.CDA - go directly to Audio CD Runner and play Audio CD track xx (where xx=01, 02, 03 etc.)
xxx.EXE, xxx.COM, xxx.BAT - run program xxx and close CD-Runner
x.AVI, x.MMM, x.MOV, x.DAT, x.M1V, x.MPA, x.MPE, x.MP1, x.MP2, x.MP3, x.MPG, x.WAV, x.MID, x.RMI, x.AU, x.IFF, x.QT, x.SND - go directly to Media Runner and play file x

Command Line Notes:

Double click the media files (above) or the Audio CD "CDA" files in Windows Explorer to play the file with the correct Runner
CD-Runner SL supports "CDA" and "EXE / COM / BAT" command line options

 

Registration / upgrade frequently asked questions:
Q.  I have purchased CD-Runner version 2001, do I have to pay the full price for the latest version 2004?
A.  Registering CD-Runner guarantees you a minimum of 6 months of free upgrades! Any new CD-Runner version released during this time period will be free for you (your existing user ID key will work). If your purchase was more than 6 months prior, we offer all registered users a 50% discount on all future purchases.
Q.  Why not just offer CD-Runner free, or at least offer all future versions free for registered users?
A.  Frankly, we are in business at a minimum to cover our expenses (and hopefully to make a small profit). As much as we would like to give away our product to promote ourselves and good will, we would probably lose interest in support and adding new features without some monetary motivation. We try to follow the same business model as the software giants (e.g. Microsoft, Lotus, etc.) - new users pay the "street price", upgrades for existing users normally get some type of discount.
Q.  Why not offer non-expiring "honor system" shareware?
A.  As the saying goes, "been there, done that". We have learned from our earlier "Star Menu" for DOS / Windows product that this form of shareware just doesn't work; we found that relatively few of the actual users will register unless they have to.

 

If while attempting to access the Audio CD or Media Runner(s) you receive a message which indicates "Specified device ID is out of range", your sound board probably is not recognized by CD-Runner. To correct this, access the CD-Runner Setup and try enabling (checking) the "Force Windows Compatible" volume option, or disable the internal volume sliders altogether. We have also found that installing the latest driver for your board (usually available for download over the Internet) resolves many of these problems; in some rare cases, we have also found that installing an older driver which matches the revision or "vintage" of your sound board works when the latest driver does not.

 

If your PC hangs during the initial setup, try the following:
1. Disable the automatic drive ID during installation.
2. Select the correct video board and/or monitor type(s) in the Control Panel / Display / Settings / Advanced section, and if necessary install the latest driver(s) available (usually available for download over the Internet).
3. You may also need to install the latest service pack update from Microsoft for the version of Windows which you are using (95, 98, NT4, 2000, ME, XP).
4. See the help message above on "Screen frozen..."

 

CD-RUNNER LICENSE TERMS:
CD-Runner is licensed to you "AS IS." Beyond Software makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the installation, compatibility, operation and un-installation of CD-Runner.

BEYOND SOFTWARE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO CASE WILL BEYOND SOFTWARE BE LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES OR FOR ANY LOST PROFITS, OR LOST REVENUES.

 

General installation problems: First run a hard disk utility (e.g. Scandisk) to ensure that your hard drive is OK (no cross-linked or corrupted files), and fix if necessary. Then close all other Windows applications by using the "Ctrl + Alt + Del" keys to bring up the Windows "Close Program" dialog box; close all except "Explorer", then run the CD-Runner installation program. 

 

If you are having trouble playing QuickTime (QT), Video CD (DAT), or MPEG (MP3, MP2, MPG etc.) files, download the latest Microsoft DirectX and Windows Media Player. This has resolved the playback problems on many systems (by replacing and/or updating corrupted and/or incompatible system files) and is free from the Microsoft Web Site. If the Microsoft Media Player can play these files, then CD-Runner will also play these files.
DirectX for Windows 95/98/Me/NT4/2000
Download latest Windows Media Player

 

CD Changer problems: as discussed elsewhere, the CD-ROM Runner supports up to 23 drives - this has been found to be very reliable with most brands of CD changers. The Audio CD Runner *may* not work with some brands of changers however. This is because manufacturers use custom hardware and software to access their drives. While we make absolutely no guarantee that the Audio CD Runner will work with changers, some users have been able to setup their primary CD-ROM drive as the first drive letter, followed by their changer drives. In addition, others have been successful using their first changer drive as their primary Audio CD drive. "Your mileage may vary though", so be sure to "try before you buy!"

 

For help in any CD-Runner screen, simply press function key "F1" and a context sensitive help screen will appear.

 

For troubleshooting or general help, access the CD-Runner help section, and go to the troubleshooting section for detailed help information & common fixes.

 

If all else fails, feel free to email us. Please include as much information as possible (brief problem description, your PC hardware, software drivers, version of Windows which you are using [95, 98, NT, 2000, ME, XP, etc.], which (if any) service packs have been loaded, etc.).
Contact CD-Runner Tech Support
...or manually enter our email address (supportcdr@cdrunner.com) into your email program

 

Privacy Policy: 
The confidentiality of your information is important to us. The information you may submit to us will never be released to any third party, and is for billing verification only. Also, your name will never be put on a mailing list as a result of registering any of our products.

 

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