Copy to CD
Windows XP

   

How to Copy to a CD with Windows XP

Please note that it is illegal to make a CD of commercially produced material or material otherwise protected by copyright. This includes MP3 files, videos, TV shows, etc. Small portions may be copied for academic purposes. If you have questions or concerns about copyright law, please speak to an IS staff member. For more information, see http://www.wellesley.edu/Library/copyright_ToC.html

Windows XP provides the option for you to easily copy files to a CD without having to use the Roxio EasyCD Creator software that was distributed in the past with College-owned Windows computers.

What is the difference between CD-R and CD-RW?

• CD-Rs (Compact Disc Recordable) are inexpensive CDs that only allow you to do a one-time copy (or "write") of your files. It is a permanent recording of the files copied, with no ability to change what you stored on the CD. CD-Rs are best used for permanent data storage such as backing up your hard drive, sharing non-editable information, and saving large presentations. Files from the disc can be copied back to any hard drive. You must close the session before you eject the disc.

• CD-RWs (Compact Disc Re-Writable) allow you to erase and write over existing files once files/folders have been copied to a CD-RW. These discs are best used for transporting large files between computers, archiving data, storing large data files while you work on them, updating important files each week, and backing up files from your hard drive. They act just like a zip or floppy disc but hold much more information. They can typically be reused at least 40 times.

Copying files to a CD-R or CD-RW:

  1. Make a note of the storage capacity of the CD you'll be using, then insert your writable CD-R (CD-RW) into the CD drive.
  2. If you are prompted to do something with the CD, click Cancel.
  3. If this is a CD-RW with files already stored on it, make sure you have any files you need copied from the CD and then erase the CD: Open My Computer and right-click on the CD Drive, then select Erase this CD-RW.


  4. Select with a click the files or folders you want to copy to the CD. To select more than one, hold down the CTRL key while you click and select. For help determining what files you may want or need to copy for a backup of your computer, see http://www.wellesley.edu/Computing/Backup/.
  5. Right-click on the files or folders you're copying, select Send To, then select the CD drive in the list that pops up. (Note: if a "Confirm Stream Loss" dialog box appears, check "Repeat my answer each time this occurs" and click "Yes.")
  6. Double-click on the CD-ROM drive in My Computer.
  7. To initiate the record process, click on Write these files to CD on the file menu.
    (Note: if you change your mind and decide you do not want to make a CD of these files and folders, you can start from scratch by selecting "Delete temporary files," which will leave your original files in place but delete the temporary copies created in preparation for the making of this CD project.)


    8. Please note: Do not try to copy more files to the CD than it will hold. Standard CDs hold up to 650 mb. High capacity CDs hold 700 mb. If you do accidentally go over the CD's limit, this error message box will appear directing you to reduce the size of your files.

  8. After you copy files/folders to the CD be sure to check the CD on another computer to confirm that they all copied.
  9. Label your CD for future reference. If you keep a series of backup CD-RWs, consider labelling them Backup 1, Backup 2, etc. and rotating which you use each week, perhaps labelling the sleeve in the CD's case with the current date each time you use the CD.