Windows Media Player skips when you play a CD.

If you get "skippy" performance, try switching your CD drive to analog playback. Choose Tools, Options, and then click the Device tab. Select your CD drive and click Properties. In the Play-back section of the Properties dialog box, select Analog. If this doesn't solve the problem, select Digital again, and then try selecting Use Error Correction ( in  the same dialog box.)

Taken From Microsoft Windows XP  Inside Out 2nd Edition

Written by Ed Bott Award-winning computer journalist.

Carl Siechert Windows documentation expert.

Craig Stinson, Contributing Editor, PC Magazine.