Save Project Failure

[dciowa]

I have been using Audacity successfully about once a week since the first of this year to compile and convert audio sermons to MP3. Our church records the sermon onto CD; then the CD tracks are saved as RealPlayer tracks; then the RealPlayer tracks are compiled in Audacity and saved as a single "project," then exported as an MP3 file, and updated on our church's website. This process has been working fine for the last few months.

However, last week I attempted to compile and convert the audio sermon to MP3 using Audacity, but it's not working like it has been. This is what has happened: After saving the audio tracks from the CD in RealPlayer, I opened Audacity, and proceeded to open ("File"..."Open") the first RealPlayer track. The first track I opened, "imported" into Audacity just fine. I proceeded to "save project" ("File"..."Save Project"), by naming the project file, and clicking "save." This is where it's not working. After I attempt to "save project," Audacity appears to freeze-up. It doesn't seem to finish saving, though a "data" audacity file has been created for the project. It does not appear that Audacity will complete saving the project, and allow me to proceed with including the additional tracks onto the "project." I've had to close Audacity, and have received a "not responding" message.

What do I need to do in order to successfully "save project" without it freezing-up on me?

Thank you.

[steve]

How much free disk space do you have on your hard drive?
How long is the "compiled" audio project?

[dciowa]

"How much free disk space do you have on your hard drive?"

On the drive the sermon audio file is located, there is currently 14.4 GB free disk space.

"How long is the 'compiled' audio project?"

There are five (5) RealPlayer tracks included in the compiled project which I have attempted to save as a project, totaling 48:30 (forty-eight minutes, thirty-seconds).

After "importing" just the first (of the five) RealPlayer track into Audacity (10:27 long), I've attempted to "save project," but it freezes on me while trying to save only that one track in the project.

[steve]

On the drive the sermon audio file is located, there is currently 14.4 GB free disk space.

Ouch, that's running pretty close. Windows should always be allowed 10% free space on each drive. This is particularly important on the C: drive as Windows usually has the swap file there and if the computer runs short of virtual memory it Windows will attempt to increase the size of the swap file. If possible, make more free space on that drive and then run "defrag".

After "importing" just the first (of the five) RealPlayer track into Audacity (10:27 long), I've attempted to "save project," but it freezes on me while trying to save only that one track in the project.

Have you tried the other files? Do they all cause the same problem?
What are the file names?