Sphinx, thanks for you ideas. I have a comment and a couple of questions. The comment: all MP3-80kbps file which I have downloaded will not play, so I do not think the problem is corrupted files. I have had to trash at least 20-30 such files. I am using a Soundblaster PCI card, which came originally with my PC. How do I check this card to see if its the card driver's problem (all other files seems to play just fine when I am using it). Last question: how does one "trim" an MP3 file?

Thanks for the additional help.