Ripping music from CDs

What's RSS?

This document provides answers to frequently asked questions about Microsoft Windows Media Player for Windows. It focuses on questions about Windows Media Player 11 and Windows Media Player 10, but it also includes information relevant to earlier releases. See other Windows Media FAQs.

Are the audio formats in Windows Media Player 9 Series or later compatible with earlier versions of the Player?

All the audio formats are compatible with Windows Media Player 7 and Windows Media Player for Windows XP. However, content based on the Windows Media Audio variable bit rate and lossless formats requires a codec download before you can play the content in these versions of the Player. Note that the latest Windows Media Audio and Video codecs are downloaded automatically the first time you play content created with the codecs. You can also download and install the codecs. To do so, see Windows Media Download Center. For the best results for playback in Windows Media Player 6.4, use the Windows Media Audio format. Audio content in Windows Media Audio variable bit rate format will play in Windows Media Player 6.4 after a codec download, but may have glitches or periods of silence. The Windows Media Audio lossless format is not supported in Windows Media Player 6.4. For more information about codecs, see the Using codecs FAQ.

Why do I get the error "The system cannot find the path specified" or "The file name, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect" when I start ripping?

There is a problem with the path to which you are ripping the music. Either type or browse to the correct path and folder by doing the following:

click to expand Windows Media Player 10 or later

1.	On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Rip Music tab.
2.	In the Rip music to this location area, click Change.
3.	Type or browse to a valid path and folder.

click to expand Windows Media Player for Windows XP and Windows Media Player 9 Series

1.	On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Copy Music tab.
2.	In the Copy music to this location area, click Change.
3.	Type or browse to a valid path and folder.

click to expand Windows Media Player 7

1.	On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the CD Audio tab.
2.	In the Archive area, click Change.
3.	Type or browse to a valid path and folder.

Why isn't there any audio in the tracks that I ripped?

If you are using analog ripping (available in Windows Media Player 10), make sure that the analog audio output port on your DVD or CD drive is connected by a cable to the analog audio input on your sound card. This requires opening the case of your computer. If you hear background noise in the tracks, mute the Line In setting in your system volume settings. Also, make sure that digital CD audio is not enabled in Device Manager by doing the following:

1.	Open Device Manager. (For more information about using Device Manager, see Windows Help and Support.)
2.	Right-click your CD drive, and then click Properties.
3.	Clear the Enable digital CD audio for this CD-ROM device check box.

Can I rip music from my CDs and convert the music into MP3 format?

Yes, if you upgrade to Windows Media Player 10 or later. For Windows Media Player 9 Series, you can rip to the MP3 format by obtaining an MP3 encoder pack. To get the encoder pack, see MP3 Creation Plug-ins. (If you experience trouble ripping to MP3 format, check for an updated version of the MP3 encoder pack from the same Web page.)

Why do I get the error "Cannot rip files" when I try to rip music into MP3 format using Windows Media Player 10?

There may be a problem with a registry setting on your computer that is preventing Windows Media Player 10 from ripping into the MP3 format at a quality setting of 128 kilobits per second (Kbps). You can switch to a different quality setting, or you can delete the registry setting if you prefer to use the 128 Kbps setting. To switch to a different quality setting, do the following:

1.	On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Rip Music tab.
2.	In Audio quality, move the slider to a setting that is different than 128 Kbps.

To delete the registry setting, do the following:

Warning

Incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system. At the very least, you should back up any valued data on the computer before making changes to the registry. For information about backing up and restoring the registry, see Windows Help and Support.

1.	In Windows, click Start, and then click Run.
2.	In the Open text box, type regedit, and then click OK.
3.	In Registry Editor, click the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\MediaPlayer\Settings\Mp3Encoding
4.	In the pane on the right, right-click the LowRateSample value, and then click Delete.
5.	If you get a message asking you to confirm you want to delete the value, click Yes, and then close Registry Editor. If you get a message "Are you sure you want to delete this key and all of its subkeys?", then that means you are trying to delete the wrong item. Click No, and then repeat step 4.

Why are there pops in the audio of music that I ripped?

Variables such as the type of CD you are trying to rip and the speed of your CD drive can affect the quality of the ripped file. Although you are ripping digital information from a CD, you may not get an exact copy. For example, you may notice some minor flaws when playing ripped files, such as faint scratches or pops in the audio. This is normal and is caused by the method your CD drive uses to read information from the CD.

My question isn't answered in this FAQ. What can I do?

If you do not find an answer to your question in this FAQ, try the following resources:

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See Windows Media Player Help. To access Help, start Windows Media Player and then press F1.

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For other Windows Media FAQs, including other versions of the Player, see Frequently asked questions about Windows Media.

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To find additional support and troubleshooting resources, see Troubleshooting Windows Media Player.

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Submit a question to the Windows Media Player newsgroup. Please note that the newsgroup is maintained by a community of knowledgeable users offering peer-to-peer assistance. It is not an official Microsoft technical support resource. As such, Microsoft cannot guarantee that your question will be answered. When you ask a question on the newsgroup, be as specific as possible. For example, be sure to include the following basic information:

•	Windows Media Player version. (On the Help menu, click About Windows Media Player.) For example, the version might be 10.00.00.xxxx.
•	Windows operating system version. (Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.) In your question, include the full version name (for example, Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2).
•	The task that you were trying to accomplish prior to encountering the problem.
•	If an error message is displayed, note the error message text. (For example, it might say "Windows Media Player has encountered an unknown error.")
•	If an error message is displayed, note the error message ID number (for example, "C00D11CD"). You can determine the ID number by clicking the Web Help or More Information button when the error message is displayed.
•	If the problem only occurs when you use a particular file, Web link, or URL, provide details about that item.

How do I find information about error messages?

To find the error code identification number for a particular error message, on the error message, do one of the following:

•	Click the Web Help button. A Web page is displayed. The specific error code identification number is mentioned in the first sentence (for example, C00D1197).
•	Click the More Information button. A Help topic is displayed. The specific error code identification number is mentioned in the title or at the bottom of the topic (for example, C00D1197).

For information about Windows Media Player error messages, see Troubleshooting Windows Media Player Error Messages.

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