Using Roxio Easy CD Creator

Using Easy CD Creator | Burn Data | Burn Audio | Copy CD | Burning Tips

CD burning is currently the fastest and easiest way to back up data and transport large files. It is also very useful in creating music CD's. Easy CD Creator makes it easy to record CD's with its intuitive wizard interface, even for someone who has never used a CD burner before.

1. Creating a data CD allows you to store files exactly as they appear on your hard drive. This is useful for backing up files of any type, including pictures, documents, and music. For data CD's you can use CDR's, or CDRW's. CDR's are probably the best choice because they're very cheap, offer the fastest writing capability, and are compatible with any CD drive.
    
2. After installing the program, click Start, then Programs. In the Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 folder, select Project Manager. This is the wizard interface for the program, and the easiest way to learn how to burn CD's.
    
3. Select Make a CD, and then click the Data CD button.

   
    

4. This is the real heart of the Easy CD Creator Program. The top window is the Source Window, it points to files on your hard drive. The one on the bottom-left is the CD Project Folder Tree, which lists all the folders that are going to be burned in the current CD. The one on the bottom-right is the CD Project Folder, where the files that are going to be burned appear.

   
    

5. Now you can simply drag files and folders from the Source Window, into the CD Project Window. The amount of space you have free on the CD is monitored by the bar at the bottom of the screen.
   Note: The amount of space you have on the disc depends on the length of the disc, which is either 74 minutes or 80 minutes. Most discs now are 80 minutes, you can also tell the length by looking at the label on the disc.
    
6. You can rename the disc ID by right clicking anywhere in the CD Project Folder Tree window, and select Rename. This affects what the disc is called whenever it is read by a computer.
    
7. Once you are ready to burn the disc, insert your recordable CD into your CDRW drive. If you are using a CDRW, you must format the disc before you can use it. See the help file in the program for more information.
    
8. Click the File menu, then select Record CD. Make sure that your CDRW drive is selected. Select the fastest Write Speed available, and choose how many copies you would like to make. Click the Options button, and make sure Record CD is selected under Record Options. For more information on the items under Record Method, see the program's help file, otherwise leave them at default.

   
    

9. When you are ready, click Start Recording.

   Having trouble after you start recording? Head down to the Recording Tips section.

1. Burning audio CD's is useful because they are playable in any CD player. You can only use CDR discs to burn music, CDRW discs can not be read in CD players.
    
2. Start the Project Selector from the Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 folder. From there select Make a Music CD, then select Music CD Project.
    
3. The Easy CD Creator interface for audio CD's consists of two windows, the top window is the Source Window, which are the files on your hard drive. The one on the bottom is the CD Project Window. You can drag any MP3 files from the Source Window into the CD Project Window. The amount of space you have left on the disc (in minutes) is tracked by the bar at the bottom of the screen.

   
    

4. Feel free to create a title for your new audio CD mix, also make sure that the songs are placed in the track order that you want.
    
5. When you are ready to record, click the File menu, and then select Record CD. If you have not done so yet, insert a CDR into your CDRW drive.
    
6. Make sure that your CDRW drive is selected, and the drive is set to write at maximum speed. Under Record Method, make sure that Disc at Once is selected. If you want a more detailed explanation of all these options, see Step 8 above. Otherwise, click Start Recording.
   Note: Burning audio CD's usually takes longer than burning data CD's.

   Having trouble after you start recording? Head down to the Recording Tips section.

1. Start the Project Selector from the Roxio Easy CD Creator 5 folder. From there select CD Copier, then select CD Copier again.
    
2. The CD Copier program will launch. In the Source and Destination tab, select your CD-ROM as the "Copy from" drive, and your CDRW as the "Record to" drive. If you only have one drive, then it will be the source and destination.

   
    

3. Now click the Advanced tab. Set the CD-Recorder Speed to the highest number available. Make sure that Copy is selected, and that Disc at Once is checked. If you are using one drive to read and record, you have to copy the source to the hard drive first, otherwise it is optional.
    
4. When you are ready, click Copy.

Recording Tips

If you are having trouble recording, there are a couple things you can try before giving up all hope. If you have a slow system, then these are all the more applicable, and possibly even necessary.

• Close down any other programs that are running, let the computer concentrate on the burn!
• Similarly, don't do anything on your computer while it is burning!
• Lower the recording speed. This pushes much less data through your system.