Saving files to CD/DVD

[Tefler]

We've recently bought a Dell 2400, which has a Philips DVD+-RW DVD8631 installed.  I can successfully copy disks wholesale, using software called Sonic RecordNow!, but I can't quite work out how to copy files onto a CD or DVD.  Basically, all I want to be able to do is use a CD or DVD RW as a big floppy disk.  I thought I'd just need to go to Save As and ask it to save into the D drive, but I get messages saying the file d\filename does not exist.  I know it doesn't - I'm trying to create it.

As you can see, I'm rather confused.  Any help would be gratefully received.

[Fitzer]

You can't (without extra software) use a CD writer like a floppy, the system doesn't see it as somewhere you can save files to. What you need to do is use a CD writing software such as Nero (your PC will probably have something similar installed on it) to create a data CD containing the files you want. Use a CD-r for files that aren't going to change much and a CD-RW if you want to keep overwriting them. There are softwares available to format a CD so that the system will see it like a big floppy, can't think of the name of any off hand I'm afraid.

[Ralph]

What your looking for is "packet writing" software. Have a look at http://pages.prodigy.net/jdjd/cdr/packet.htm which explains things well. I used to use the DirectCD it talks about and it was good. The Nero version called InCD falls desperately short of even being rubbish IMHO. The latest versions will work with DVD R/RW discs.

[peanut]

If all you are looking to do is create backup discs you need to open your sonic program and select "Data Disc" then drag and drop the file into the window and select burn.

[Closer]

XP allows you to drag and drop to a CD, then you just click 'copy to CD' and voila. Alternatively get a USB flash drive, then you can re-use it :-)

[peanut]

yes Closer that will work too, but im not sure you can do multiple files all at the same time onto one disc.

[Tefler]

Thanks, all.  I think I'm getting the hang of it now.