MP3
( Play Instructions & Burn CD )

Test Playing an MP3 File (via IE Browser & Windows Explorer)

• mp3_test_file_128k.mp3 - Click on this link to play a small 8 second mp3 file.
• You have 2 options to play the mp3: 1) Download, then play or  2) play from my web site
  • Download to your PC, then play.  If you have dialup or a slow connection to the internet this would be a good idea.
    • Right click on the link, then click "Save As".  You can now use Window Explorer and double click on the .mp3 file to play it if you have installed a MP3 Player.
    • If you have download problems with XP do the following:
      • Tools, Internet Options, Security Tab, Custom Level
      • Find the following attributes and change.
      • ActiveX Controls, click on the "Enable" box for "Automatic prompting for Active X controls"
      • Downloads, click the "Enable" box for "Automatic prompting for file downloads".
• Change the Default Media Player
  • XP
    • Click "Add or Remove Programs".
    • On the left side of the screen click "Set Program Access and Defaults"
    • Click the "Custom" option.
    • Under "Choose a Default Media Player" select the Media Player you desire (ie: Windows Media Player).
    • Note:  If you choose "Use my current media player" then you will need to look at the sections below to change the current media player for IE or Windows explorer.
• Changing the Player used for IE (Browser) - make sure you close all browser windows after you make any of the following changes.
  • Windows Media Player - v10
    • Launch Windows Media Player (Start, "Windows Media Player)
    • Click on the small down arrow (selection button) to the left of the Window Minimize, Maximize, Close buttons.
    • Click on "Tools", "Options"
    • Click on the "File Types" tab.
    • Check the "MP3" box.  Click "Apply", then "OK"
      If it is already checked, the do the following steps:
      • Uncheck the box.  Click "Apply", then "OK".
      • Come back to this screen and then re-check the box.  Click "Apply", then "OK".
      • Note:  This way WMP (Windows Media Player) will become the default player.
    • Close all browser windows and then test again.
  • Real Player
    • Launch Real Player (Start, Real Player)
    • Click on "Tools", "Preferences"
    • On the left click on "Media Types" which is in "Content".
    • Check the box for "MP3 Audio".  Uncheck the box if you don't want Real Player to play the .mp3's.
    • Close all browser windows and then test again.
  • Quick Time Player
    • Lauch Quick Time (Start, Quick Time)
    • The application may ask if you want to use Quick Time as the default player. 
    • Click "Edit", "Preferences", "Quick Time Preferences", "Mime Types"
    • Under "MP3" check "MP3 Audio File".
    • Close all browser windows and then test again.
  • MusicMatch Jukebox by Yahoo
    • Launch MusicMatch Jukebox
    • Options, Settings, General Tab.
    • Check the box for "MP3 files".
• Windows Explorer's Default .mp3 player (not IE's default player).
  • Download the .mp3 file above to your local PC.
    • Right click (not left click) on the link above.  Choose "Save As".
    • Note:  You will use this file to test your changes.
  • Launch Windows Explorer (right click on "Start" and choose "explorer")
  • Click on "Tools", then "Folder Options"
  • Click on the tab "File Types"
  • Find & click on the File Extension:  MP3  (File type = MP3 Format Sound)
  • Now click on the "Change" button.  Now find "Windows Media Player" and click on it.
    • Note:  Or you can click on "Advanced" and then the following:
      Edit the actions "play" and/or "open".  Save (copy down) your current information incase you want to undo the next step.  Next, place the following in the field "Application used to perform action":
      "C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmplayer.exe" /prefetch:6 /Open "%L"
  • Now click "Close"

Media Type Files

Legal Note

• You are welcomed to download all of the MP3's at my site.  You may use the .mp3 for your listening pleasure and place them on any media that you desire (mp3 player, CD, etc...).  You may also give a free copy to your friends.
• You may not sell or record any of the copyrighted songs (.mp3's, etc...) without permission ( Contact Information ).

Link Options (Windows PC)

• Virus Note:  It is advisable to always scan anything all .mp3 files that you download for viruses before you play them.  The .mp3 at my site should not have viruses, however you never know if they have been hacked in some way.
• Right click on the link, then click "Save As".  You can now use Window Explorer and double click on the .mp3 file to play it if you have installed a MP3 Player.
• Double click on the link.  You now have 2 options: Open or Save.  
  • Open - you will not have the options to scan for viruses.  If you have a MP3 player installed, it will open up and play the song.
  • Save - you can save the file to your local drive and then use Windows Explorer to open and play if you have installed a MP3 Player.

Download a MP3 Player

• Windows Media Player - www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/ - by Microsoft. Free.
• Winamp - www.winamp.com/download/ - by Nullsoft.  Free.
• RealPlayer - www.real.com - In the bottom right corner look for the free version or you may buy a version.  On the other web pages do the same looking for the free version.  This site really tries to get you to buy their product.
  • Can stream the audio instead of downloading first - , depending on your internet connection speed.
• Quick Time
• www.soundclick.com/software/ - SoundClick.  Free.
• www.musicmatch.com/ - Music Match.  Free.  (Also converts a .wav to .mp3)

Burn a CD

Burn a CD - Windows XP - Windows Media Player v10

• Start Programs, Windows Media Player
• Get the files you want to burn in the Play List.
  • Click on the "Now Playing List" select button.
  • Choose "Open Playlist", "From File"
  • Then select the .mp3 that you want to add to the playlist.
• Right click on the file you want to burn to a CD and choose "Add to", "Burn List"
• Now click the "Now Playing" button in the upper left corner.
• Repeat this process until you have all the files you want to burn in the "Burn List".
• Click the Button called "Burn" at the top of the screen.
• Insert your CD-R into the CD Drive.
• Press "Start Burn" in the upper left corner.