CD/DVD Burning Howto

Every computer in the public labs is capable of burning data files, audio files, and ISO images to CD. Computers capable of burning files to DVD have labels on their monitors reading "HAS A DVD-R DRIVE." There are 3 such linux machines (one in each lab), and one such Windows machine.

CD/DVD Burning in Linux

How to burn a CD/DVD using Drag and Drop?

To burn a CD or DVD, you will need to use the Nautilus CD/DVD burning software. To run Nautilus, open a Terminal and run nautilus at the command line. A window displaying your home directory will pop up. Click Places from the main toolbar and click on the CD/DVD Creator. A CD/DVD Creator window will open, and it is here that you can drag and drop all the files you wish to burn. When you have selected all the files you wish to burn, click Write to Disc in the upper righthand corner of the window.

How to burn an ISO to CD/DVD from the Command Line Interface

  1. Run the following (replacing /path/to/iso-file.iso with the actual disk image):
    • nautilus-cd-burner --source-iso=/path/to/iso-file.iso
  2. Select what device you'll be writing to.
  3. Select "Write"

How to copy a CD/DVD from the Command Line Interface

  1. Run one of (depending if you're copying a DVD or CD):
    • nautilus-cd-burner --source-device=/dev/dvd
    • nautilus-cd-burner --source-device=/dev/cdrom
  2. Select what device you'll be writing to.
  3. Select "Write"

Troubleshooting

  • If your disk didn't eject after burning - run the eject command from a terminal.
  • It burned the ISO file instead of the actuall disk image! - Try following the ISO instructions above. Make sure that you aren't writting the ISO file, intead of making a disc image.
  • If having problems getting an audio CD to play, try playing it with another CD player.

CD/DVD Burning in Windows

What program do I use?

If you just want to copy files from the computer to CD you may just follow the instructions to drag and drop files to the CD drive here. If you want to make an audio CD, burn a complex or create and ISO image, or want more burning options, you will need to locate a computer that has NeroStartSmart and then follow these instructions. Lab computers with this program are labeled with "HAS DVD-R DRIVE." To burn data files to DVD, use Nero StartSmart; ISOs see How to burn an ISO(Disc Image)to DVD.

How to burn data files to CD

To burn a data CD simply open the CD-R(W) drive window - My Computer->CD-R(W) Drive (D:), and then locate the files your wish to copy in another Windows browser and drag them into Drive (D:) window. When you're done selecting files, Click "Write these files to CD" in the left side of the window. If you're having trouble, contact us at comment@cims.nyu.edu.

How to burn an ISO(Disc Image) or audio files to CD

  1. Open Nero StartSmart - Start->Nero StartSmart. An initial wizard will open.
  2. Select CD from the drop-down menu at the top of the window. There will be 6 icons displayed across the top. Click the star icon labeled "Favorites" and select Audio CD if you wish to burn an audio CD, OR click the discs icon labeled "Backup" and select Burn Image to disc if you wish to burn an ISO image.
  3. A file browser window will open. Select the audio or ISO file(s) you want to burn and add them by clicking "Add" or by dragging them from the browser window to the empty window.
  4. Burn the CD - specify options and Click Burn.

How to burn a DVD

  1. Open Nero StartSmart - Start->Nero StartSmart
  2. Select DVD from the drop-down menu at the tope of the window. There will be 6 icons displayed across the top. Click the star icon labeled "Favorites" and select Make Data DVD.
  3. Click Add and browse for the files you wish to burn to DVD. Click Close when you are finished selecting. (All the files you have selected will appear in the sub-window of the Nero window.
  4. Click Next. Name your DVD if you wish, then Click Burn to burn DVD

How to burn an ISO(disc image) to DVD

  1. Open Nero StartSmart - Start->Nero StartSmart.
  2. Click Nero Burning Rom on the lefthand menu and a wizard will open. Make sure the box in the top left corner shows DVD (not CD).
  3. Choose one of the 6 options on the left. Select DVD-ROM (ISO) to burn an ISO disc image.
  4. Click New on the bottom right corner.
  5. Select the files you wish to burn by navigating the file browser and dragging the files to the empty sub-window.
  6. Burn the CD - specify options and click Burn.
  7. When the DVD has finished, a popup notification will be displayed and the disc will be ejected.

Disc Types

To burn data files, audio files, or disc images to CD, you will need one of the following, both of which can hold approximately 700MB:

  • CD-R
  • CD-RW

To burn data files, audio files, or disc images to DVD, you will need one of the following:

  • DVD-R
  • DVD+R

The standard capacity of DVDs is approximately 4GB, but the size can vary. The capacity of your DVD can usually be found on the disc itself or on the box it came in.