guy.mansford@virgin.net

Jean, don't quote me on this as I'm far from an expert. As I understand it, cd/dvd cutters all use a standard microsoft driver (unlike your printer etc which has a custom written driver), so that they can be used to boot up from. ie the driver in windows will run any cd/dvd rom drive. So to update the software that runs them, they have an internal memory which can be upgraded. This is called flash memory. If you type your dvd writer and driver into google, you'll come across a programme to upgrade the 'firmware' as its called, in the dvd writer. easy to do, sounds complicated but isn't. But.... actually my problem isn't over. Because I did this and it then worked, I thought... problem solved. It seems that working was a one off abberation and I'm back to the sticking permanently at 99% cut. System doesn''t hang but no usable disk. I'm finding this very frustrating, as software that work once then never again but eats a fresh DVDr each time is the pits! Guy

Tom, thanks for help. Finally sorted it by flashing new firmware to my DVD driver (Lite-on LH18). Now works fine. So thanks for input, Guy

Thanks for comment. Unfortunately it really does hang ie the computer clock stops running and if I leave if overnight it's still in the same place, and needs a full reboot as control alt delete does nothing. At other times the computer hangs in others places on the mpeg encoding or other places. Updating my graphics driver speeds it up until it hangs. Not looking hopeful. My computer is about 3 years old and I suspect the programme doesn't like an ati radeon 9600 graphics card.

Been using pictexe 5 for a while and find it great to use. Just bought the DVD cutting option and this doesn't seem to work. T he system gets started producing the mpeg files then gets on to start cutting dvd. It gets to 99% then hangs. The system is jammed and needs a reboot to get restarted. The DVD disk is cut (ie you can see a physical change on it) but it doesn't play on any system. Any ideas, as I need it to do a presentation at the weekend! Thanks in advance for help.