I am not a computer wiz, and I don't understand some of the 'terminology', but I do know a bit if I'm given the right instructions/directions. My problem is that I have just downloaded the newest version of AnyDvd and Clone Dvd 2 and I managed to copy one DVD that was roughly 2 hours and 46 minutes in time and it took about that much time to copy it or even longer!!?? Right after that, my cd/dvd drive (which is an Optiarc DVD RW AD-7170A) appeared as a CD drive only. When I restarted the computer, it appeared as it normally should. I tried to copy a dvd that was almost 3 hours and after two hours of it only being at 61% of the 'creating DVD files' portion, I cancelled it. I also have DVD shrink installed, and I'm working with Windows Vista. Also, I have read about updating something called Firmware...for which there apparently is one, but I've also read it can fry your drive altogether if not done properly. The computer is still under the manufacturers warranty, so maybe I should just get them to take a look at it?? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.