Sometimes I burn a CD and then try to play it, or send it to a friend as a gift, and he/she can 't play it on their home or car stereo. Even for myself, it might play on the Marantz (small entertainment-type stereo) but not on the more elaborate home system. Seems very bizaare. Anyway, I use Nero, my system is Windows XP professional, everything works fine. I'm puzzled by the inconsistency of the Burn process end product - it only happens once in a while. I use brand name blanks, as well.

   You must use CD/Rs.
   CD/RWs will not work on a CD player (the type that are not a part of a computer).  CD/RWs will work on a computer CD drive and will work on the newer CD players in cars, but not on the older standalone CD players.

Thanks!