i have a computer w/ the following: windows xp, pentium 4, cpu 2.26gh ... when i play a dvd, i get a cracking/popping sound but the video is fine... i made a major discovery (i think)... the popping sound occurs when the light on the tower flashes (denoting that it is reading the disc?) ... i've not always had this problem since i bought the computer in 2002, only starting about a year ago, but not been interested in watching dvds until i discovered 24 yesterday (can't wait to see what jack does to the guys who kidnapped his daughter...