The company behind the popular CD-burning software Easy CD Creator, Roxio, is to have another stab at avoiding compatibility issues with Microsoft operating systems. It is releasing a Windows XP upgrade for its latest version - Version 5 Platinum.

There is no WinXP version as yet and Roxio is only pulling Version 5 of its software into the new operating system. Those with Version 5 will be able to download the upgrade free of charge from tomorrow (25 October), and new WinXP users get a $30 rebate if they buy Easy CD Creator 5.

The company will be dearly hoping that the upgrade works without problems this time or the software package may not see another version.

When Version 5 came out in May this year, users were dismayed to find that the software was killing Windows 2000 machines stone dead. A key element of the package - TakeTwo - conflicted with external drives.

When we publicised the issues, hundreds of readers told of similar problems with a range of Microsoft OSes and with previous versions of the software.

Roxio had rushed out Version 5 without sorting out compatibility issues with the previous version. A lack of backwards compatibility also angered thousands of users and many vowed to use competing products. In a recent posting in which the latest patch was made available, the company warned users that "If the system is hanging you may need to wait until Windows finally boot (may take up to 4 hours)".

Roxio is betting the Easy CD Creator brand on the latest version, telling users of WinXP that versions 3.0 and 4.0 will not be supported. ®

Related Link

Roxio's latest patch for CD Creator 5

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