Overview
I get asked a number of times how to burn a cd/dvd. here's the basic instructions, in words.
If you still need me to show you how, and you are local I can help you. If you are not local, find somebody knowledgeable about computers in your area that can teach you.
data cd/dvd and MP3 cd/dvd
- get out your cd burning program, and choose to make a data cd or dvd, whichever type of media you are doing (DVD's hold 6x more than a cd).
- click the add files button.
- browse to where your files are and add them (or the folders you want).
- close the add-files dialog.
- save your compilation (optional), so you can do this again if you want to. save it in a place where you know you will find it.
- burn.
data cd/dvd: if you are adding later sessions
you can with nero and roxio, delete files in the previous session, and they will show up, if you put a previously burned disc in. you can also add or update files.
it doesn't work quite this way with cdrtfe I think. I don't think you can delete with that program.
audio cd
- get out your cd burning program, and choose to make an audio cd.
- click "add track".
- browse to where your MP3 or WAV file(s) is/are located and add them.
- reorganize your tracks as you see fit by clicking on a track and using the up/down arrow buttons.
- save your compilation, so you can do this again if you want to. save it in a place where you know you will find it.
- burn.
free end-user cd burning programs
cdrtfe, available from cdrtfe $free (Open Source Software)
works on windows 9x/me/nt/2000/xp/vista/7/8. installer may have an error message installing the first time, so install it a 2nd time (it will work then). after that, you must configure with this cdrtfe.ini (right-click, save as) and put it in
LOCALAPPDATA\cdrtfe\ which might be c:\documents and settings\yourusername\local settings\application data\cdrtfe\ OR it could be in c:\users\yourusername\local settings\application data\cdrtfe\. By default, cdrtfe does not have 103-character joliet turned on, and it does not eject the media (it could though, this is in settings and you can save them). I also like to use ISO-level 3 (which allows for files larger than 2GiB). multisession/multiborder is also turned off by default, probably because it does not work with DVD's.ISO disc duplicator, available from my duplicator page $free
duplicates a folder or ISO file.
pay-for commercial-off-the-shelf burning programs
these programs usually have high system requirements. Roxio bought the Mac Toast.
Nero, available from office supply stores, newegg $
comes in 3 editions, one is the OEM edition, which somes with burners sometimes. that doesn't have all the features of the full version.
Roxio, available from costco, office supply stores, newegg $
comes in 2 versions, plus there's the sonic line.
Sonic, available from sonic.com $?
professional production software for 3D Blu-Ray, DVD and streaming