Freebie MP3 Ripping Software???

[svosen]

Anyone know of any?

I've got a program that came with my Creative Labs MP3 player, and it seemed to work really well until recently.

I'm wondering if my drive hasn't conked out on me; I'd like to try using a different software first. If a second ripping software doesn't work either, I suppose it is the drive.

For whatever reason, the last several tracks on disks are not ripping well. The Creative software is very limited in offering the ability to change the rip settings. I've messed around with that to the extent allowed by the software...

Unfortunately, eMachines tech support is lacking. They respond quickly, but they don't actually read the emails. It appears they skim through the emails, then offer advice that is not applicable to the actual situation.

Arg.

Oh, in case any of you techies might be able to help:

It's a DVD dual layer burning drive. It will PLAY cds and dvds just fine. And it will allow my software to rip MP3s from most of any given cd. But it won't let the software rip MP3s from the last few tracks of a given cd, and it won't let me burn anything at all.

It's almost gotta be the drive, but I want to try other software first.

Oh, and before you ask, yes, I've downloaded and installed the latest drivers and firmware.

Like I said - Arg.

[Norrec]

I use a program available from downloads.com called CDex, it works pretty well after you setup how you want it to rip the files. Remember to get the CDDB options setup so you can use it, or else it might be a pain.

[Pocky Fiend]

I use Fairstars Cd Ripper, never had a problem with it, easy to use, and is the fastest I've ever had.

[sabbas]

I use iTunes simply because I like how it sorts ALL of my music in one convenient place, easy to find, etc. I have been pretty impressed with the the "Import" (ie. ripping) feature of it though. It can rip a cd SUPER fast, often within minutes. The burning feature is also very easy to manage as well. I like iTunes for its simplicity, others may not, but it's worth a shot I guess if you're interested...

[svosen]

No time to mess with it now, but I appreciate your responses, guys.

I'll let you know if I get a chance to try them out.

[farfus]

Ive had my Creative Nomad and its software since March of 2004, and especially for the price and quality its definitely the match of anyone. Ease of use and just pure quality all around, i havent had a bit of trouble with mine, Svos...

[svosen]

I'm really inclined to think it's the drive and not the software, but I still haven't had a chance to mess with the other software you guys recommended.

As far as the player goes, I really like it. If I did it over, I MAY get the 1GB instead of the 512 MB model, but I'm not certain.

I only have had one problem. After about two weeks' use, it suddenly started "skipping" (regularly-spaced scratching noises) in all songs. I simply downloaded and installed the latest firmware - problem solved.

I'm not really sure why it happened, or why the download fixed it, but hey, it ended well, so all's good.

[svosen]

I just downloaded Fairstars, installed it, and am currently taking the maiden voyage.

I must say that I like the layout of the interface much more than Creative's ripper. We'll see how well it works though (so far so good, but I'm trying to rip an audio book, and the longer files - 10 minutes or more - really wreaked havoc on Creative's software; either that or on my drive, we'll see which soon enough, I guess).

[svosen]

I don't get it.

Fairstars did better with ripping the audio book, but it still failed (glitched) in a few spots on the later tracks.

I ripped a long album (22 songs), though, and it had no problems.

Other than to surmise ripping long songs (large files) is difficult, I don't know what to say about this problem. I'm not really sure if it's my drive or not...

Arg.