How to Choose Between CD-R and CD-RW Burners
CD-R and CD-RW drives (also called burners or recorders) can make permanent (write-once) recordings on blank CD-R discs. CD-RW burners can also make erasable recordings on blank CD-RW discs. The two technologies have different strengths and weaknesses.
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Instructions
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Consider a CD-R burner if you mainly want to archive photographs, scanned documents or other large files.
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Choose a CD-R burner if you wish to make music CDs or if you will use your CDs in other computers. Some CD players and CD-ROM drives have trouble with CD-RW discs.
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Consider a CD-RW burner if you mainly want to back up your hard disk.
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Buy a CD-RW burner unless price is a critical consideration.
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Tips & Warnings
CD-RW drives cost more than CD-R drives.
Blank CD-RW discs often cost more than CD-R discs.
All blank CDs can hold 650 MB of data or 74 minutes of audio.
Although CD-R discs cannot be erased and reused, you can add data until the disc is full.
Many CD-ROM drives and audio CD players cannot read CD-RW discs. Some CD drives and players have trouble reading some CD-R discs.
Copying audio CDs and CD-ROMs might violate U.S. copyright laws.
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Comments
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Nov 22, 2005
Almost always, when you create a CD using a burner, you should create a "disk image" on your hard drive first to avoid problems. Then, create a CD from your image. With the Adaptec software, click the File menu to do this. -
Nov 22, 2005
Stick the disk in the microwave for 5 seconds. It will totally destroy the data on it. There will be an electric arc show for the duration. This is harmless. This is how we destroyed CDs when I worked in the military.
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Nov 22, 2005
Almost always, when you create a CD using a burner, you should create a "disk image" on your hard drive first to avoid problems. Then, create a CD from your image. With the Adaptec software, click the File menu to do this.
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Nov 22, 2005
It might be more useful to consider just how much speed you need. If you burn CDs often, you'll probably want a newer drive. But if you would use it only once in a while, maybe an older one (possibly even used) would be better.
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Nov 22, 2005
Memorex has come out with 700 MB CD-R Discs, 80 minutes, and I believe other name brands have also introduced this format.
