Since it insists on Quicktime being installed, I'm guessing QT.

It still could be that QT is only needed for AAC files. Apple would still require QT (I'm guessing) because AAC is the default for encoding songs and the file format for iTunes.

Have you checked for spyware lately? Something could be interfering.

Yep.

Did anyone suggest checking for drive fragmentation? an interrupted cache could be as bad as a too-small one. A fragged System Paging file can happen, too.

When I copied the files to a new physical drive, they defragmented themselves.

what does iTunes use to play mp3s - Quicktime, or whatever DLL that came with XP?

How would I find out?

How would I find out?

As a guess, I'd check the iTunes registry and the list of installed audio codecs. Which I'll do at work tomorrow, if you haven't fixed the problem by then and if I have the time.

Do you have wi-fi on this PC? If so, try disabling the wi-fi adapter and see if that improves matters. One thing I found googling was that someone's wi-fi was searching for available networks, which was interfering with the audio playback.

Reinstalling Quicktime may also be of use.

Do you have wi-fi on this PC?

Nope.

Let me know what you find, tommy.

anybody around who can tell me how to boot an ibook (g3 700 mhz) from a cd/dvd? on my treo or would look it up myself.

Turn it on, insert a CD or DVD, then quickly hold down the C key on the keyboard.

I'll see if Apple Tech support says any different.

I fixed up my home network this weekend so that everything but my son's computer is hooked up to the net. One two Windows XP machines, one Windows 2000 machine, one Linux machine that is proving it's worth as a video encoder, two Geexbox video players, and a notebook (old and slow but good for wireless remote controlling other computers).

I've got nothing on that MP3 playing problem, that's odd.

Thanks for the info last night, Daniel. I was doing 'D' instead of 'C'.

I managed to back up my most important data, but the hard drive is definitely dead, a month after mt Applecare ran out and 6 months (or less) before new iBook models available. Sigh. I'm about to plunge into buying a 100GB replacement drive that will probably make my computer last a lot longer IF I can get it installed.

Anybody ever replace a hard drive on a white G3 iBook? It looks pretty difficult, but doable, according to this guide.

I've done the replacement. It is very intricate and you have to be very patient. Also I highly recommend a very clean workspace and very clearly labeled places to put all the parts as you remove them.