Merging audio/video while mp3 encoding

[RacerX]

This is my first attempt at ripping a DVD. It was going pretty smooth until it came time to merge audio/video tracks. I used PX3 to convert the ac3 audio track to wave. After that completed I still had to add the file extension .wav manually for VirtualDub to find it. The following is my set-up using VirtualDub:
Open video file- choose wave audio- full processing mode
Under video menu I selected direct stream copy
Convert audio to 44100hz
Compression- MPEG Layer-3 128 kBits/44,100hz stereo
Then I save with my new file name. Here I expect the process to begin but instead I get this VirtualDub Error Message:
ERROR INITIALIZING AUDIO STREAM COMPRESSION
I attempted it more than a few times to be sure I followed steps.
Can anyone help please? I'm on the edge of my first one dammit =) thx

[setarip]

1) have you first played the WAV file you created, to make certain that it works?

2) "Open video file- choose wave audio- full processing mode"
Did you load the WAV file into VDub?

All of the other steps that you've indicated are appropriate and should yield a properly merged .AVI...

[RacerX]

The wave works. I played it in winamp along side the avi. And when I select wave audio in VirtualDub it pretty much tells me to select my wave file. I thought this would load it for me. I tried again, but received the same error message =(
Thanks for the response setarip, I guess I'll keep at it. Maybe start the whole process over again using other apps.

[setarip]

My apologies for having overlooked one (perhaps THE MOST) crucial thing in your initial post.

When you are about to load in the (silent) video file, FIRST change "Audio" to "No audio". After you've loaded the video file, THEN change "Audio" to "WAV audio" and load your .WAV file!

Again, my apologies - Do let us know of your success ;>}