Introduction¶

This document describes how to FIXME. You can always obtain the latest version of this document from: http://www.arch.cam.ac.uk/comp/FIXME/

(Jump to step-by-step instructions)

(Jump to common problems) Introduction

Please note the following:

• Do not insert your blank CD until the computer prompts you to do so
• Writable CDs are not like other removable media (e.g. floppy discs, ZIP discs): you cannot just insert a blank CD and drag files to it.
• Not all CD drives are the same, and so you need to be careful about the parameters you use when burning CDs
• You may find it useful to review the CD-R FAQ available at http://www.cdrfaq.org/
• CD-RW (Re-writeable CD) is not supported in the Department

Summary

Burning a CD goes something roughly like this:

• Start a CD creator application
• Specify the files you want to add to the CD
• Specify the kind of CD you want to create
• Tell the CD creator application to create the CD
• Insert your blank CD-R
• Wait
• Check that it has worked

Step-by-step Instructions

It is possible to create multi-session CD, i.e. you can keep adding data to them until they are full. However, some CD drives have problems reading them. These instructions cover the creation of a single-session or closed CD.

Do not insert your blank CD-R

When burning a CD the computer must be apply to supply data to the CD-R drive quickly and without interruption. If the source files (i.e. those files that you want to end up on the CD) are on a network drive this is often not possible. Also, if the computer is working on other things this will also interfere with the burning process. Before burning a CD restart your computer by pressing [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[Delete] and choosing [Shutdown] then [Shutdown and Restart].

When you have logged in you will need to copy the files you want to appear on your CD to the system temporary directory C:TEMP, shown below. Within C:TEMPcreate a new directory named after yourself and copy your files there. Ensure that you copy the files, not move them:

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Do not insert your blank CD-R

Having done this, start the CD creator program which in this case is called Adaptec Easy CD Creator. Click on the Start button:

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Choose PWF Programs and Information:

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Choose CD RW Software:

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Choose Easy CD Creator (Jewel Case Creator is a utility for creating labels and inserts—I know nothing about it):

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Easy CD Creator will start as shown below. The top two windows display the discs and files available to you. The bottom two windows display the details of the CD that you are about to create.

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In the top two windows, find the files you want to put on the CD, then drag them to one of the lower two windows (this does not actually move the original files):

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Right-click on the CD icon in the lower left window and choose Properties from the context menu that appears:

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You can specify a Volume Label (name) for the CD and choose a file system here. Generally, JOLIET should be fine but you can choose ISO9660 for maximum compatibility (note that ISO9660 only supports filenames in the 8.3 form, so any of your files with names longer than 8 characters plus a three character extension will have truncated names on the CD).

It is well worth selecting `Automatically verify file system’. Mode 1 CDROMs should be readable by almost any CD drive (except very old ones).

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Click OK to dismiss the Properties dialogue box and click the Create CD button. Do not insert your blank CD.

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A dialogue box will appear: click the Advanced button to expand it:

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In the Write Method area choose Close CD. You will not be able to add additional data to this CD but it should be readable by most CD drives. Setting the Write Speed to 4x rather than the maximum value offered should ensure that you do not experience any buffer under-run problems.

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Click OK. Easy CD Creator will prompt you to insert a blank CD. Do so and then click Retry. There will be a noticeable pause before the burning begins. Do not do anything else. Do not repeated click the Retry button. Do not start to read your mail. Do not press [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[Delete]. Wait.

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Whilst the CD is being created the CD Creation Process window will show you how it is getting on. Leave it alone.

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When the creation process is completed you will be told. Click OK to finish.

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You will be asked if you want to save the CD Layout: don’t bother unless you intend to make multiple copies of this CD.

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Before leaving, check that the CD is OK by opening My Computer and opening a file from the CD.

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Before leaving, remove your files from C:TEMP, partly to leave space for other people and partly to ensure that other people don’t get free copies of your work. Common Problems

If Easy CD Creator reports that CD creation has failed, your blank CD is a useless hunk of junk.

Ensure that you insert your blank CD the right way up.

If you take your CD to a different computer and it cannot be read, check the following:

• Did you check that the CD could be read by the computer that created it?
• Is the second computer dead old? Some old CD drives simply cannot read CD-Rs. Some old CD drives cannot read CD-Rs that have not been closed. Some operating systems cannot read CDs that have been created with the Joliet file system.

If you put your CD in a Macintosh you may find that whilst the CD is readable, the files are shown with blank icons and the names have been mangled. This is a function of the way Macintoshes do things, rather than indicative of a failed CD. You should be able to open your files by starting the relevant application (e.g. Word) and then choosing Open from the File menu in Word.

Consult the CDR FAQ for more information.