HP TouchSmart tm2-2200 Notebook Essentials - Windows 7 - Page 33

Chapter 5: Using software Creating or burning a CD or DVD If you have an optional external optical drive that supports CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD+RW discs, you can burn data, video, and audio files, including MP3 and WAV music files, using software such as Cyberlink Power2Go. Observe the following guidelines when burning a CD or DVD: ■ Before burning a disc, save and close any open files, and close all programs. ■ A CD-RW or DVD-RW is generally best for burning data files or for testing audio or video recordings before you burn them to a CD or DVD that cannot be changed. ■ A CD-R or DVD-R is usually best for burning audio files because after the information is copied, it cannot be changed. ■ Because some home and car stereos will not play CD-RWs, use CD-R to burn music CDs. ■ DVD players used in home systems usually do not support all DVD formats. Refer to the manufacturer's instructions that came with your DVD player for a list of supported formats. ■ An MP3 file uses less space than most other music file formats, and the process for creating an MP3 disc is the same as the process for creating a data file. MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players or on computers with MP3 software installed. To burn a CD or DVD, follow these steps: 1. Download or copy the source files into a folder on your hard drive. 2. Insert a blank CD or DVD into an optional external optical drive. 3. Click Start, click All Programs, and then click the name of the program you want to use. 4. Select the kind of CD or DVD you want to create-data, audio, or video. 5. Right-click Start, click Explore, and navigate to the folder where the source files are stored. 6. Open the folder, and then drag the files to the drive that contains the blank optical disc. 7. Initiate the burning process as directed by the program you have selected. Ä CAUTION: To prevent loss of information or damage to a disc, observe the following guidelines: ■ Before writing to a disc, connect the computer to a reliable external power source. Do not write to a disc while the computer is running on battery power. ■ Before writing to a disc, close all open programs except the disc software you are using. Do not copy directly from a source disc to a destination disc or from a network drive to a destination disc. Instead, copy from a source disc or network drive to your hard drive, and then copy from your hard drive to the destination disc. ■ Do not use the computer keyboard or move the computer while the computer is writing to a disc. The write process is sensitive to vibration. Notebook Essentials 27