Can you open the cd in explorer and see what is on it? If so, copy a few designs to a temporary file on your computer and try opening in PED basic from there. I often had difficulties opening external files in PED basic and this worked for me.

I've had some designs that were written in later .pes ( newer software) and I have to reformat to older .pes.. Is your basic box updated to 1.07.
Maybe easiest is d/l PEBasic from Brother site & follow instructions ...but first clean all the older install out of your computer. If box is only failing with cd, then I would think it must be formats. Do testing on other designs..be sure the correct frame size is selected before writing.

The Brother USA site has the download for PED Basic 1.07, which allows you to read newer pes formats. 1.06 will only read up to version 4 of pes designs/formats. I can't remember if this is the whole program or an update, but I had to do this for my winXP with PED Basic. PES and pes are the same (Brother format designs) however most designs are now saved in higher versions than version 4.

If after downloading and installing version 1.07 doesn't work for you, then you'll need to try to open the cd contents through windows explorer (My Computer) and copy the contents of the cd over to your hard drive and try to run it from there, and then install the update. hth :)

This is where the confusion sets in for me. I'm new to this. Bought my machine from my aunt who is currently out of town or I'd get her to help, but even over the phone she's stumped. I don't quite understand the different or updated versions of pes formats. I've tried saving one on my computer and changing it. Then going back in and saving it as a pes again. That possible solution was found on another forum. Still nothing.

I have the newest version of PED Basic. I've downloaded it from the cd in the package and I've even deleted it completely and downloaded it from Brother. I've been able to open everything, so far, but this one cd. I have even saved the files to my computer and tried from there. There are 10 and not one will open for me.

I've been on the phone with Brother and not heard back. I've emailed the maker of the Floriani cd and she went as far as sending me all of the pes files from the cd. They don't open either. Yes, I did unzip them. I have literally tried everything I can think of. Literally...

I keep thinking, in the back of my mind, that even though it says largest design uses a 5x7 hoop, maybe they are too big. I'd think the program would let me know.

Sigh...

I do appreciate all the insight. Thank you.