The Dell computers have the capability for an individual to create his or her own data or music CDs.  Creating CDs (or “burning”) has never been easier, and can be done from any of the Dell Optiplex GX150s on campus (the black tower machines).  Following this brief introduction are some easy steps for creating your own CDs!

First things first – an explanation of the different types of writeable CDs.

There are two different types of writeable CDs: CD-R and CD-RW.  CD-R CDs allow you to write to them only once, but you can read from the CDs over and over again.  CD-RW CDs allow you to rewrite on the CD many times, as well as read from them an unlimited number of times.  Both types of CDs can be used with Easy CD Creator 4, just make sure that you aren’t writing on a CD-R more than once!

1. Go to “Start” -> “Programs”-> “Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4”, and click on “Create CD”.  A screen like the one shown below should then appear.

2. Click on the “Data CD” button.  A splash screen advertising the software will appear for a few seconds, and then the program will launch showing a screen similar to the one below.

3. In the Explorer window in the upper left hand corner is a list of the drives available on your computer.  Go to the drive and the location where the data you want on the CD is located.  In this example, the data is located on my H: drive, in a folder called “Off Campus CD”.  All of the files and folders within that location will now appear in the window to the right of the Explorer window, as shown below.

4. Highlight the files in the right hand window that you would like copied onto your CD.  You can highlight all of the files in a folder by clicking on the first file in the upper right window, holding down the “Shift” key, and then clicking on the last file.  You can also select files by holding down the “Control” key, and clicking on the files you want to select.  Then click on the “Add” button to add your selected files to the CD layout, as shown below:

5. Once you have added all of your files, click on the “Create CD” button.  The “CD Creation Setup” screen should then appear.  Make sure that the CD is in the CD drive, and click on the “OK” button.

6. Then a system test screen should appear, testing the transfer rate from the drive containing your files.  Click on the “Cancel” button to continue.

Note:  If you are using a CD-RW CD that has been used before, the following box will appear before the Easy CD Creator starts creating your CD.  Click on the “Yes” button to continue.

7. You may then get a compatibility warning like the one shown below.  If you get such a message, click on the “OK” button to continue.

8. Now you will get the screen that shows the progress of the CD being created, like the screen shown below.  When the Easy CD Creator is finished creating your CD, then the “OK” button will become highlighted.  Click on it to finish creating your CD.

9. When you are finished creating CDs, exit out of the Easy CD Creator by going to “File” -> “Exit”, and the following box should appear

You can choose to save your CD layout for future use, or you can just click on the “No” button to exit.  You will have then successfully created your CD!