File Compatibility/CD burning problems/Airport Express Issues

S

Steve Downer

Registered
Hi! I've got a few iMac issues that have been bugging the heck outta me lately... I solved one of them reading the previous threads here, but these 2 seem to be something else again...

First off, files burned to a CD from my computer don't seem to work on other computers, be they Macs or PCs. This baffles me. The files in question seem to be in order when opened on my computer or emailed to others, even down to the file extension in most cases. Apparently they're burning incorrectly? I used the native Mac OS "Burn" command in the Finder or iTunes, and lately I've been using Toast. This seems to only have appeared recently, but before I started using Toast. However, a PDF newsletter I sent to a printer worked fine on their PCs. Most of the complaints have come from people who are semi-computer-literate at best, so it could just be idiocy on their ends.

Next, I have my USB printer hooked to an Airport Express about 12 inches from my computer. I know, that's pointless, but there was a reason. Anyway, ever since I first used the Airport Express, (about 8 months ago) the indicator light blinks amber instead of a solid green. However, it functions normally most of the time, although it arbitrarily seems to cut out when I print sometimes. I have to print with the printer connected directly to the iMac. The Airport Express seems to restore itself when I'm not looking, and things return to normal for the time being.

I hope it's not an inconvenience for me to be lumping 2 problems into one thread.:eek: Thanks! –Steve
 
Steve Downer said:
First off, files burned to a CD from my computer don't seem to work on other computers, be they Macs or PCs. This baffles me. The files in question seem to be in order when opened on my computer or emailed to others, even down to the file extension in most cases. Apparently they're burning incorrectly?
Click to expand...
One of two things may be happening. Either you aren't burning your files in a format that can be viewed on both Macs and PC's, or you are running into a buffer overrun problem.

To see if it is the former problem, download this free utility and see if CD's that you burn using it work okay for your friends:

BurnX Free has several useful features that Apple's built-in CD-burning software does not offer, or that aren't implemented well. BurnX can burn CDs in a hybrid format for cross-platform compatibility and it can also erase CD-RW media. It supports multiple session burning, and drag-and-drop of files and folders for burning. BurnX Free is free for Mac OS X 10.2.3 and up.

<http://www.hernansoft.com/products.html>

If that doesn't solve the problem, download the free demo of this utility:

iDefrag
http://www.coriolis-systems.com/iDefrag.php

The free demo of iDefrag really can't be used to defragment your drive, but that's not what I am suggesting that you do with it. Use it to create a chart of your drive's fragmentation. OS X automatically defragments files, but what you are looking for is whether there are any large free *contiguous* chunks of free space on your hard drive. (That is, you are looking at free space fragmention.) If there aren't, that is the source of your problem. You need to either purchase the full version of iDefrag to defragment your drive to gain enough free contiguous space to be used for scratch files, virtual memory, etc., or you need to get a new, bigger, hard drive.
 
Thank you for your reply, Mr. Singer! However, I'm not sure if either of those would help... I've been using Roxio Toast for burning, and have always made sure the "Both Mac and PC" box is checked.

Secondly, I've got a 400GB hard drive. I'll give them both a try, though, just in case. Thanks for your time!
 
OK. My CD burning problem seems to be solved. However, I've got another issue; the Airport express.

I just tried it for Airtunes, but I'm getting nothing. I set up a new network with the Airport Express Setup Assistant, and iTunes recognizes the new network, but the Airport is just blinking amber. I've got it hooked up to my cheap Wal-mart stereo/CD player/casette player with a Radio Shack cord. I'm not sure what setting to use on my stereom, either- there are buttons for radio, CD, and tape.

I got the gist that it doesn't matter- the music will play no matter what your setting. Is that right? So I'm wondering if my Express is defective. I used it for wireless printing, however, and although it blinked amber all the time, it still fuctioned fine. When I plug it into the outlet, it lights up green for a second, then solid amber for a few minutes, then it blinks amber. Help!
Also, I don't have a base station- just an Airport card in my iMac G5 and the Express.
Thanks,
Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top