chem -

keep at it - eventually you'll get it and it'll be worth the initial frustration...

have you tried playing an audio CD using the other apps? there are many ways to play an audio CD.

as for xine, video apps can be tricky. doesn't FC3 have a video player on the install disks? if not, have you tried other players? also, try running a search here at LQ and on google.com/linux by pasting the exact error message you get, and you'll likely find others have run into the same thing. good luck.