I have created a slideshow from a recent trip to Africa. I have included music. I am now trying to copy it to a DVD. It has been in the "writing files" mode since Tuesday. Today is Friday. I spoke with someone at a computer store and they said it does take a while to copy to a DVD, however, I wouldn't think it takes this long. I have a Dell Inspiron 6000, with Celeron M processor/1.3 Ghz, with a processor speed of 1.27 GHz, and 512 MB of RAM, which should be more than enough to get the job done. Anyone run into this scenario, and can you give any additional info. regarding? I would very much appreciate the help.

First off I would suggest that your computer setup is a tad bit on the weak side for EMV work. However, to start with make your slide show using Videowave program and inser all of your photos, audio, text, transitions etc. there and run through a preview of it using the "play" button. When you are satisfied that it is what you want, save it as a "dmsm" file and the open up DVDbuilder program and bring the dmsm production into that program. You can add other options in dVDbuilder also. When you are finished, then you can burn it to a DVD disc or as an ISO file to your hard drive for later burning to disc.

Also, please include additional information about other hardware in your computer (i.e. graphics card, hard drives, DVD/RW drives etc.)

Frank....

Hi...just curious at to whether or not you're finished "writing".

Three days to "write" sure seems excessive to me too. I've heard of people leaving their computers to render overnight but this marathon would be a first for me.

Is there some indication of progress?...light on the drive...a progress bar actually progressing....you sure something isn't hung?

hope this is unnecessary and it's actually done by now....

As a matter of fact, it IS still "writing files". I will definitely cancel and try what was suggested. In meantime, is there anything I can do to " beef" up, short of buying a new computer?

P.S. I did preview the slideshow before I began trying to transfer to DVD, and it proceeded very well.

You can't go wrong following Frank's instructions....

As far as upgrading the computer goes...it would help people to make suggestions if you give a more detailed list of your computer specs, including burner make and model, harddrives (and free space on same),video card if any and so on.

With the info you've listed so far, I can definitely recommend one of the most effective, cheapest, easiest upgrades..... memory. Half a gig is good, a gig is better. A lack of free actual memory can slow things down.

good luck

Total phys. memory 512, w/available 105.34, total virtual 2GB, avail. 1.96GB, hard drive 33.69GB, free 7.04, DVD/RW CD/RW. Does that help?

I don't know if you've read much in this forum, but after a while everyone comes to realize that DVD creation is a very system demanding prospect.
While your computer is a competent one, you'll be happier and probably have fewer problems if you are able to do a few upgrades.
You don't have a great deal of resources available for video work as far as memory or harddrive space goes.
If it's in your budget, I'd definitely put in another 512 of memory and a second harddrive for all your files, and give EMC room to do it's job (temp files, rendered files and so on...these can get big).
You don't mention whether your video is run by an "on board" chip, or a separate video card. I'll assume you're not using a card for the moment. Again, if it's in your budget, a video card will help greatly.
There probably isn't much you can do about the CPU, other than to get a new computer, but it should do a reasonable job if you can upgrade the other components.
In the meantime, try to keep any projects you make reasonable simple and while using EMC, you might want to shut down other uneeded programs or utilities, eg antivirus, antispyware. This will free up more memory for your video creations and hopefully they'll go a little quicker.

good luck

I very much appreciate your input. I'm a newbie, so I haven't really read a lot in the forum. However, I was able to create my DVD's, albeit, with the amount of data I had to manipulate, it was a little taxing. I will definitely be looking into upgrades, VERY SOON, as I am obsessed with creating and assembling media. Thanks so much

Well I'm glad you came back to let us know that you managed to get your DVDs done...no matter that it took a little more time.

By the looks of it you're "hooked" too. Look forward to having lots of fun.

And don't forget all the good folks here that can answer any questions on "how to...".

have fun....