JThug69420 wrote:
> "Saucy Lemon" wrote:
>
>> JThug69420 wrote:
>>> I was just wandering if my Windows XP has a CD-Writer on it cause
>>> someone told me that Windows XP has a CD-Writer already installed.
>>> So i was just wandering if Windows XP does have one or not?
>>
>> CD-ROM means Compact Disc - Read Only Memory
>>
>> CD-R means Compact Disc - Recordable
>>
>> If you go out and get a "CD Burner" then Microsoft Windows - in most
>> cases - will properly recognize it and already has the software that
>> enables you to burn files to it. But these machines usually are sold
>> with drivers and software that provide a full suite of capabilities
>> including disc copying etc. etc., which you probably will want to
>> install.
>>
>> If you do go out and get a "CD-Burner" don't waste your time with
>> just CD .. get a "DVD burner" which are usually backward compatible
>> with CD-ROM/R/RW discs .. plus are capable of handling the various
>> DVD media .. ask the retailer. Now there are DVD burners that can
>> also do labelling as well , a technology called "LightScribe", you
>> may want that feature.
>
> Ok i have the CD-ROM drive so that means i cannot write songs to a
> blank cd am i correct? Underneath the CD-ROM drive its looks the same
> as the CD-ROM drive but doesnt do anything its not labeled or
> anything its just there it doesn't open or close. So with just a
> CD-ROM drive i can't write songs to a blank cd?

No. A CD-ROM [ROM == READ ONLY Memory] drive will only read, not write.
"Burning" means writing files or images to a recorable disc. A CD-ROM drive
will only do "playback" and does not do any creation. For to create CDs, to
write to them and "burn" them, you need a CD-RW drive, or much better yet, a
DVD-RW drive [ RW == Read Write ].

When buying, notice that there is a wide range of devices and prices. Here I
have an LG Super Multi which - so far - works very well and was had at
reasonable cost. It was 'OEM', yet had a package of software to go with it
including Nero Express and a DVD movie player. Be careful to get software.
Windows will not play DVD movies without 3rd party software etc. etc.

Also, when you buy the DVD-R and CD-R discs make sure to get Maxell or
Memorex [or the like] discs. Don't go for any company that doesn't focus on
recording media. Companies that do discs "on the side" don't produce discs
of the higher quality as companies that do.