<page xmlns="http://projectmallard.org/1.0/"
      type="topic" style="task"
      id="files-disc-write">
  <info>
    <link type="guide" xref="files" group="more"/>

    <credit type="author">
      <name>Michael Hill</name>
      <email>mdhillca@gmail.com</email>
    </credit>

    <revision pkgversion="3.4.0" date="2012-02-19" status="outdated"/>

    <desc>Put files and documents onto a blank CD or DVD using a CD/DVD burner.</desc>
    <include href="legal.xml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XInclude"/>
  </info>

  <title>Write files to a CD or DVD</title>

  <p>You can put files onto a blank disc by using <gui>CD/DVD Creator</gui>. The
 option to create a CD or DVD will appear in the file manager as soon as you
 place the CD into your CD/DVD writer. The file manager lets you transfer files
 to other computers or perform <link xref="backup-why">backups</link> by putting
 files onto a blank disc. To write files to a CD or DVD:</p>

  <steps>
    <item>
     <p>Place an empty disc into your CD/DVD writable drive.</p></item>
    <item>
     <p>In the <gui>Blank CD/DVD-R Disc</gui> notification that pops up
     at the bottom of the screen, select <gui>Open with CD/DVD Creator</gui>.
     The <gui>CD/DVD Creator</gui> folder window will open.</p>
     <p>(You can also click on <gui>Blank CD/DVD-R Disc</gui> under
     <gui>Devices</gui> in the file manager sidebar.)</p>
    </item>
    <item>
     <p>In the <gui>Disc Name</gui> field, type a name for the disc.</p>
    </item>
    <item>
     <p>Drag or copy the desired files into the window.</p>
    </item>
    <item>
     <p>Click <gui>Write to Disc</gui>.</p>
    </item>
    <item>
     <p>Under <gui>Select a disc to write to</gui>, choose the blank disc.</p>
     <p>(You could choose <gui>Image file</gui> instead. This will put the files
     in a <em>disc image</em>, which will be saved on your computer. You can
     then burn that disc image onto a blank disc at a later date.)</p>
    </item>
    <item>
     <p>Click <gui>Properties</gui> if you want to adjust burning speed, the
     location of temporary files, and other options. The default options should
     be fine.</p>
    </item>
    <item>
     <p>Click the <gui>Burn</gui> button to begin recording.</p>
     <p>If <gui>Burn Several Copies</gui> is selected, you will be prompted for
     additional discs.</p>
    </item>
    <item>
     <p>When the disc burning is complete, it will eject automatically. Choose
     <gui>Make More Copies</gui> or <gui>Close</gui> to exit.</p>
    </item>
  </steps>

<section id="problem">
 <title>If the disc wasn't burned properly</title>
  <p>Sometimes the computer doesn't record the data correctly, and you won't be
 able to see the files you put onto the disc when you insert it into a computer.</p>

  <p>In this case, try burning the disc again but use a lower burning speed, e.g.
 12x rather than 48x. Burning at slower speeds is more reliable. You can choose
 the speed by clicking the <gui>Properties</gui> button in the
 <gui>CD/DVD Creator</gui> window.</p>
</section>

</page>