December 10, 2008

Backing up files to a CD

These directions are copied from Windows XP Help.  I added the pictures.  I also tried to simplify it a little.

To copy files and folders to a CD

1. Insert a blank CD into the CD recorder.
   1. There are two kinds of CDs that you can use.  One is CD-R and one is CD-RW.  Both will work wonderfully.  
2. Open My Computer
3. Click the files or folders you want to copy to the CD. To select more than one file, hold down the CTRL key while you click the files you want. Then, under File and Folder Tasks, click Copy this file, Copy this folder, or Copy the selected items.

   If the files are located in My Pictures, under Picture Tasks, click Copy to CD or Copy all items to CD, and then skip to step 5.

   1. Here is the way I like to copy files to a CD.  Find the folder or file you want to backup.
   2. Click File
   3. Place your mouse over send
   4. Click send to CD.
   5. Go to your CD Drive (double click).
   6. Click File.
   7. Click Write these files to CD. 
4. In the Copy Items dialog box, click the CD recording drive, and then click Copy.
5. In My Computer, double-click the CD recording drive. Windows displays a temporary area where the files are held before they are copied to the CD. Verify that the files and folders that you intend to copy to the CD appear under Files Ready to be Written to the CD.
6. Under CD Writing Tasks, click Write these files to CD. Windows displays the CD Writing Wizard. Follow the instructions in the wizard.

Notes

• To open My Computer, click Start, and then click My Computer.
• Do not copy more files to the CD than it will hold. Standard CDs hold up to 650 megabytes (MB). High-capacity CDs hold up to 850 MB.
• Be sure that you have enough disk space on your hard disk to store the temporary files that are created during the CD writing process. For a standard CD, Windows reserves up to 700 MB of the available free space. For a high-capacity CD, Windows reserves up to 1 gigabyte (GB) of the available free space.
• After you copy files or folders to the CD, it is useful to view the CD to confirm that the files are copied. For more information, click Related Topics.

Using Help

This is a great way to learning how to use the computer.

1. Click Start

2. Click Help and support.

3. You can search for a help topic.

4. You can also use the list of topics to give yourself mini-lessons.