JThug69420 wrote:
> "Saucy Lemon" wrote:
>
>> JThug69420 wrote:
>>> "Saucy Lemon" wrote:
>>>
>>>> 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.
>>>
>>> Where can i buy a CD-R or CD-RW? can i buy it at a local store or
>>> anything
>>
>> That I will leave to you. You can buy one at a local computer store,
>> or a bigger "office supply" or "electronics" store. You can also
>> order computer components from all kinds of places "online".
>>
>> Shop around and get a good deal $$ and remember, even if you buy
>> "OEM" from your local computer shop, to get one that includes all
>> the software. I would recommend you get a DVD RW because so much is
>> done with DVD these days that CD-RW is a bit antiquated. Talk to a
>> few retailers and they should be able to set you up good. I use the
>> LG Super Multi www.lge.com but I'm pretty sure there are other
>> good makes and models you might look at as well.
>>
> Could i possibly download the software online like from microsoft or
> from another website?

Some yes. There are some tricks even that you might pull to get free DVD
movie playback. But you will have to discover these for yourself.

Better would be to go to a reputable local computer shop that sells DVD-RW
units 'OEM' but that includes a software package which has, say, NERO [for
burning] and PowerDVD [for movies]. You should be able to get the whole
thing for a reasonable price.