Encoding crashes my machine

[woofb]

Decided to practice ripping/encoding with my West Wing DVD, as eps shorter than films (41 mins). Unfortunately, all of the software fails catastrophically on my system.

My machine is running W2K Pro and has about 40Gb free hard drive space.

More stable releases of FlaskMpeg merely stop the file conversion partway through without reporting any errors, while less stable ones reboot the machine.

XMpeg seems not to reboot the machine, but doesn't seem to manage any audio compression codec, reporting "An error occurred when you tried to generate the file."

If it succeeds, VDub then usually crashes when trying to compress the audio.

I have some audio codecs installed by Nimo as I didn't have many mp3 settings. Device Manager reports I have LAME mp3 codecs, which are working properly.

Gordian Knot crashes/reboots at the point at which it runs Vdub.

I have used Vdub for some time without seeing that sort of crash: it normally reports an error in some sort of debug function.

Since if I use one of my less-good audio codecs it seems to work, is there any less-wonky way than Nimo of adding to my audio codecs?

[The Edge]

First thing you shuld do is stay away from the Nimo packs.
Is it possible to post a log or a screen shot of the error you are getting?

Edge

[Enchanter]

Are you able to complete the encoding when not processing the audio?

[setarip]

1) You have first "ripped" (remove copy protection and copy to your hard drive) the DVD, haven't you? If not, use DVDDecrypter to accomplish this

2) If so, try using the simple MPEG Mediator to convert

[Batman]

For detailed guides, containing detailed step-by-step instructions and pictures, check out divx-digest.com and/or doom9.org