Friday, December 4, 2009

How To Use An External CD Burner

Using an external CD burner is easy and these burners are an attractive option for those that have older computers. Most new burners will connect through the use of a USB port. If you have an older computer, they should connect by serial or SCSI (Small Computer System Interface) cable. Always be sure that the power to your computer is turned off before you plug in the burner. After plugging it in, reboot the computer, insert the installation disc and follow the instructions that come up on your screen. Make sure that the external CD burner is sitting on a flat, sturdy surface, as you do not want the burning process to be compromised.

CD burning software should come with the external CD burner; however if it did not you can download some software programs for free like Windows Media Player, Cheetah CD Burner or ISO Recorder. At this point you can launch your CD burning software and then choose the project that you want to create. You will be able to copy audio, programs, document files and videos and games. You can then add the files that you want to burn to the CD, click Add Data and then select the Add Files option. Use the Look in drop-down field to choose the folder where the files are saved and click Add to add the files to your project. Insert a blank CD into the external CD driver, click on the Burn (or Write) button, click on the Done button and you are finished. The driver will actually run you through the process and it really is quite easy.

Thanks to the new technology that has created external CD burners, it really is this simple for a person to burn files or music. You can even save your website, if you have one, on an external CD burner. This is a great feature as you can prevent loss of data if your computer were to crash. This would certainly save you a lot of headaches. This is true of any work you have accomplished that you may need to back up.

Many of the newer external CD burners will also include DVD burning capabilities. This is another very nice feature that will enable you to copy your favorite DVD to a CD. In this way, you can share it with a friend or coworker. You will also be able to burn a movie to DVD that you downloaded off the internet and view it later on your computer or on your television. And since an external CD burner is portable, they are great to have if you own a laptop. It would be wise to check around on some online sites for pricing and features before you make your decision. Also remember to check out the manufacturer’s warranty, shipping charges and return policy. The ease with which an external CD burner can be installed and the value of its many uses makes it a device that is sure to be used frequently, and that will also provide hours of entertainment.