Can anyone recommend a Mac-based program that will read VCDs? (Preferrably OS 9.1 compatible, though I have a 10.2.8 machine available at work.) I've tried system 9 versions of iMovie and Real Player with no success, and Quicktime and Windows Media Player can't even tell that there are any files present.

So I installed my new motherboard and it all went spivvy until I switched it on. I get as far as the Windows 2000pro Built on NT technology bit then it's blue screen of death with this message:

Have you reinstalled the OS? You're generallty supossed to when you replace the motherboard, although I've gotten away with not doing it once or twice. When Windows is installed it installs some stuff that is specific to your particular machine.

INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE

Which is weird, because it obviously accessed the boot device prior to that. But anyway, if there is an OS-as-previously-installed/new motherboard incompatibility, I'd expect some strange errors.

Try VLC, Matt -- it's worked like a charm under 10.3 for me. Unfortunately I don't know if there's a version available for 9.

There is a demo of MacVCD on [link] Mireth's website. it only plays 5 minutes of video, but at least you can tell if the thing works.

I have a VCD that I've tried playing with it, and I get zip.

there's something called FreeVCD, that I have not tried, yet: [link]

Can anyone recommend a Mac-based program that will read VCDs?

VCDGear should be able to convert the video on a VCD to something you can play with Quicktime Player. They have older versions that work with OS 9.

Can anyone give me a good reason not to buy this laptop for $550? The price just seems to good to be true.

[link]

I don't really know laptops, but it looks like the video and sound is all handled by the main cpu, which is something I don't like, I prefer to get that stuff off the main board onto separate cards to avoid the machine gagging on vid or sound intense apps or sites, but I'm fussy that way.

It also seems like you would want more RAM right away, so that is a bit of a hidden cost.

Otherwise, it seems in your price range. I'm not familiar with the maker, though. Does WalMart have a house brand?

Well the laptop is only for word processing and browsing - no video/sound apps. But I need to look into this RAM thing.

Well the laptop is only for word processing and browsing - no video/sound apps. But I need to look into this RAM thing.

You can get 512MB more of the compatible RAM for this machine for 70-80 dollars. [link]

I like the machine for $150 more, in that it has a DVD/CD/RW drive, but I'm not sure if that, plus the extra RAM and a slightly faster processor is worth $150. And there is some question as to if they are giving the second 128M an empty slot, or making it so you have to remove the 128 to get an upgrade. blecch.

Daniel, aren't those RAM 184 PIN? I think the laptop needs 200 PIN if I'm reading stuff right.

ETA: Find it at the same site. I'm thinking of going with the Corsair or Kingston at ZipZoomFly. Is the Kngston worth a few bucks more?