About ASPI layer and different softwares

[MartinVA]

Hi everybody,
I have recently found this forum and discovered there are experienced people here who might help me with the following topic.
I have a Toshiba notebook (XP SP2 Home) with a multidrive DVD RAM Matshita UJ820S, and the entertainment software I usually use is InterVideo WINDVD Player, DVDFAB Platinum, Sonic Record Now and Windows Media Player. All this system + software has been (and is) working well.

A few days ago, I decided to give a try to DVD Cloner II, and realized that during installation the software asks me to upgrade the ASPI layer. (I must say that this was the first time I heard of this kind of file). People trading this software have told me that DVD Cloner II works with ASPI V4.60.
It is very important for me to know if the installation of the ASPI layer (requested by DVD cloner II) may affect the other mentioned programs I usually use.

1) Do all programs that read/write on a CD/DVD drive use an ASPI layer? If the answer is yes, well, I might assume that for example, Sonic Record Now (CD burner program) employs an ASPI layer version different to the ASPI layer version requested by DVD Cloner II, so if I accept the ASPI layer version requested by DVD Cloner II, a conflict might arise when using Sonic Record Now. Is it possible?

2) A fair answer to my question might be: "try it". But, if a problem comes out, will Windows XP allow me to restore the previous ASPI layer file (in case there was one present before)?

3) I think that Windows XP does not have any ASPI layer. Is this correct? Installing an ASPI layer, may it affect Windows XP?

4) After reading other threads in this forum I found that there are two sources where one can get aspi layer files to install in Windows XP: from Nero and from Adpatec.
Again, if for example, I installed the ASPI layer from Adaptec (V 4.71), would this layer be compatible with the ASPI layer DVD cloner II needs (V 4.60). I have read that Nero installs an ASPI layer which is compatible with many softwares. Is this correct?

All this issue is beyond my basic knowledge of computers and softwares. Perhaps there is someone who may clarify about this topic.
Thank you for you kind help.
Cheers,
MartinVA