Thanks for the links - any more different ones will be appreciated. I currently run Windoze, but am looking to set up a Linux box eventually.

One of the files that spat the dummy is a wav file - I have no way to know WHAT codec it wants - I get no specific error message, just a general one - no matter what sound tool I use - I did a recent reload of Win98.

I did ask if anyone can advise of any utils or the secret techie ways of finding out what codec is needed - the info must be embedded in some 'magic' in the music file somewhere! Also any easy way - including any util to tell what codecs I already have loaded. Also an easy way (including any known utils) to back the buggers up for when things crash and burn, as often happens with MS!

The latest specific one was the
Cooking_Breakfast_For_The_One_I_Love_(Maria Muldaur).wav mentioned in another thread here recently.

The "_(Maria Muldaur)" bit was added by me to the original filename! and it was not specifically mentioned here by filename, just a link to the site.

Robin