Bulldogge

If the same CD has the same issue in both drives. There's a chance the top of the cd was printed in error. Sometimes the disks are not balanced after the ink has been applied. Do you find this happening with disks that have more elaborate printing on the top surface? If you do a little looking & googling you can find out how to run a diagnostic check on your optical drive. Your other drive may be perfectly fine.

Artist: Big Sugar Album: Big Sugar

Set up a free account at Logmein and you can control the headless computer thru the web browser on the laptop, or any other computer for that matter. Its the easiest solution for someone who does not want to spend time configuring the setting. You do sacrifice a little speed. This will also be handy if he is using the recording features of Windows Media Center, if he has web access at work and forgets to set a recording, he cam easily login to the computer from work and set the recording. I use it all the time to access my machines from work. I also have it setup for those who I assist with their computers being the main source of IT support for family & close friends. Edit: they have a decent set of instructions on how to setup on their site.

I agree with you, if things are going to fail they usually fail right away. On two occasions I have taken an Apple product (MacBook, & iPad) out of warranty back to the store. The MacBook had issues displaying video out to a monitor (never tested feature while in warranty). The iPad had the rubber seal at the edge of the glass protruding. Turned out there was the smallest evidence that it had been "squished". The MacBook they repaired free of charge, and the iPad they replaced on sight with a refurb. They let me know on both occasions that they were under no obligation to do this. I think one of the things that help with this is they can see your order history if you supply your email address at the time you buy all your items. If you show up as a good customer they are more likely to help you out. I don't bother with extended warranties for items that I'll be likely to replace as they become obsolete anyway. I'd rather take the chance.

Artist: City and Colour Album: Little Hell

I really appreciate you taking the time here. Once I get some sleep I will dig into that article you linked to. (way to tired at the moment.) I to would want to have the option of pulling the Mini up on the screen, seems a little silly not to be able to do that. I guess I will wait a little while for the used current gen Mini's to come down in price a bit. Mike

I was thinking the same about the HDMI. I use to have a MacBook that I tried to hook up to the TV thru the 'mini display port'? (I am not sure on the name of that port) I was never able to get it working. I even took it in to get repaired. I would get the desktop on the screen, however it was compleatly shaded in green. I tried different resolutons, and bought another connector. I was never able to get it working proper. I was concerned to buy one used and find out that the issue was actually with my tv, then I would be stuck with the used Mini. I am still learning quite a bit here, thanks for the tip on the usb/spdif convertor... However I am not sure I really understand the difference between that and a DAC. Would you mind taking a sec to explain to me the difference. If I add this would I be able to split the audio from the HDMI connneciton on the Mini into the recevier? Is it really a 'night and day differnce' in the sound quality? Would the system I have be able to show off the difference? As you can see below, I don't have the most elaborate of set-up's, but it's mine and I really enjoy it, & would like to add more bit by bit. My system is currently as follows 47" LD LCD Denon AVR-591 PS3 slim (HDMI) Xbox 360 original (component video) PC Windows 7 3TB of storage Audigy XFI extreme internal sound card. Network: Apple Airport Extreme, & Airport Express. Paradigm Atom Monitors front (adding Monitor 7's to the front, moving Atom's to surrounds) Paradigm CC-190 Center (will be upgraded after the Monitor 7's are added) Thanks again for the help.

Thanks, that's exactly what I was looking for!

Hello Everyone, Just wanted to say thanks in advance for the sheer volume, & the quality of the information this website, & it's users have provided to date. I am looking to add a Mac Mini to my system as a music/media server. (currently my music server is a desktop PC serving thru a AE)With the requirements for a system like this so low, I figured I would try to save some cash and pick one up used. Apple does not exactly use specific model numbers/names on their Mini's (I am sure they exist, most are not aware of them). My question is how far back in the Mac Mini's lifespan would you recommended to go? When did they bring in optical out etc? I would like to stay with the Intel chipset so I can run windows when/if required... and is there a resource online where I can figure out based on the year the mini was purchased, what was in the models offered. Thanks Mike