How to Burn Iso Files on Cd Using Nero 5

ISO files can be great ways to back up your software and applications, but as a general rule they require quite a bit of space on your hard drive and generally will not run as an individual file. While they can be mounted by certain programs and run as though they were on a disc in a CD or DVD drive, this still does not solve the problem of the space that a .iso file requires. The best way to use them is as they are intended by burning them to a CD, but if you aren't familiar with CD-burning software then you might not know how to get the file onto your CD. If you're planning to use Nero 5 to burn your ISO, the process is actually quite simple.

Things You'll Need

• Computer that meets the minimum requirements of Nero 5
• Licensed copy of Nero 5
• An .iso file to be put on CD
• Blank CD-R or CD-RW disc

Instructions

1. The first thing that you need to do is to launch Nero 5 either from a desktop icon or from the Start menu (provided that you're using a version of Windows.) Depending on the processor speed and available memory on your computer it may take a few moments for the program to open.

2. Once Nero 5 has opened, select the wizard. You will be presented with a few different options, so choose "Compile a New CD," which will take you to a new menu. This one will contain only your choices for creating a new CD in various ways.

3. From the "Compile a New CD" menu, choose the option that reads, "Create a CD from an Image File." You will want this option because .iso files are actually a type of image that contains all of the data for the programs or files that they are used to install. When this option is selected, the files on your computer will be visible in the right pane of the Nero 5 windows so that you can choose an image file to burn onto the CD in your CD or DVD drive.

4. When you find the ISO that you are looking for, drag it over to the left pane of the Nero 5 windows; this pane is for the CD that you have in your drive, and anything in it will be burned to the CD. Go to the "File" menu option and click it, and then you can select "Write CD" from the menu that drops down.

5. Once "Write CD" has been selected, Nero 5 will burn the .iso file to the CD and you will be able to access the files contained on it. If the ISO contained an autoexec file then whatever program you placed on the CD will launch automatically when you place the CD in the drive. You can use the same process to make additional CD copies of your original .iso file, and advanced options can be used to allow the CD to be booted by the computer during startup if the disc is still in your CD or DVD drive.

Tips & Warnings

• Take the time to familiarize yourself with the Nero 5 program interface and the options that are available in its various menus

• Make sure to take note of whether your ISO requires booting with the system or if it can be run at any time so that you'll know which options to use

• Make sure that your .iso file is from a trusted source, as any harmful programs included can be placed on any computer you use the software on