Got there at last. Lite_On CD R/W now works under both Windows and Linux!

Have just copied a CD using the free X burner software and still have the Gnome on and one other to try - all free too! Maybe when I get all the initial hardware config problems sorted, I will really get to like Linux and be pleased I decided to make it my primary O/S (say's he hopefully...).

As for my problem - took me ages to decide it was a hardware problem as Windows worked and another version of linux (as well of the install for current version of linux) had read CDs. It came down to changing my IDE hard disk cables, etc. and following what error moved with what - anything on Secondary IDE had problems and then removing PCI/ISA cards before finding the problem - one I should have thought of... I use an old SB AWE 32 soundcard to mount a Yamaha DBXG50B daughter board for MIDI because the MIDI on my SB Live is crap (seriously in other ways, I like the card but it's well below the output I get with the nearly 10 yr od Yamaha for MIDI). The problem is that card has its own IDE bus and there becomes a fight for IRQ15...

Oh well, time to save up for a new card - maybe, I can dream... I quite fancy a Yamaha SW1000XG but it's about £300... must ask in the sound recording thread about it...

Jon