sonic/roxio cd writing software

Hello - two questions if anyone can help...

1 This Dell computer came with Roxio Creator Dell LE for CD/DVD writing. I'm more used to Ahead Nero, but it seems to work much the same. Could someone advise me though - if I'm burning stuff to CD to be transferred to another computer, how can I be sure the CD won't allow anything (ie malware) to be written to it while in the other computer? There was a box for ticking in Nero.

Does Windows (XP home) carry a better/easier package for burning CDs, and if so how can I disable Roxio without uninstalling it?

2 Various software bundled with Dell came without a reinstall CD, I now understand I need to make copies. Is it good enough to just copy everything in each relevant folder in C:\Windows\Program Files ? My instinct suggest not, but i don't know how else to do it.

Many thanks in advance

 

Only what you select will be written to a disk. And as far as I know I don't know how to disable Roxio and plus it doesn't matter if you have it and Nero installed. They won't conflict with eachother.

Within your Nero software you should be able to find a "Copy CD" function and that will sucessfully make a backup of your disk.

 

As long as you don't make a multi session CD, there shouldn't be a problem. The only way malware, etc. could be written to the CD would be with the burning software application and you would have to intentionally, and would only be possible with a multi session CD that wasn't closed.

As for XP's built in burning software, it was written by Roxio, and will not allow you to copy copy righted CD's. Most people don't bother with it, but for basics it is ok.

As for the Dell preinstalled software, just copying the folder won't work, as Windows installs files in many places during setup, and all that you would have is the program folder without the necessary registry entries and such. If your computer didn't come with a restore CD, there may be a partition on your hard drive that contains the files that you need to make your restore CDs. Hope this helps!

 

Thanks Squeaner and Novice

Should have made myself clear - I have two computers running at the moment, one where I know what's on it (the other one) (or would know if it wasn't currently problematic) and this ('new') Dell one which mostly has me baffled! Nero is on the other and the CD says will only work with the CDRW on that computer.

Multisession CD - thanks, I'd forgotten the terminology. That's what I don't know how to prevent with this Roxio - no option shows. Perhaps that's the difference between the LE and the full.

I'll make the CDs again with the WinXP one - sorry for a stupid question. How do I locate it?

There is a Dell drivers utilities file somewhere - thanks for the suggestion. Makes sense now!

 

I'm sort of confused as to what you are trying to do! If the CDRW that you mentioned is the Nero CD, and you are trying to install it on the other computer, then that is understandable. Some drive manufactures limit the Nero software that comes bundled with the burner to only their drive.

XP's burning software should be accessible when you put a blank CD in your drive and close the door. It should be on the list of options that pops up when the blank disk is recognized. If it isn't, then it has been disabled. To enable it again, go to my computer and right click on your burner, then click on the properties tab at the bottom. On the menu that pops up, click the recording tab on the right and make sure that the enable Windows tab is checked. Hope this helps!

 

sorry about the confusion. Let's forget I mentioned the Nero!

Yes, I do get XP's software when I put a CD in. Options are

Add files - Roxio RecordNow Data
Format - Roxio DLA
Open writable CD folder - Windows explorer
Burn a CD - windows media player

When I go to Roxio RecordNow Data and to Roxio DLA (in My Computer) and right click, then propertioes I get three tabs - general, sharing, customise. I don't see an option like you describe. If I open that folder and right click on contents (3 x dll files) I get another menu without the recording tab.

Even stranger, the program I'd been using Roxio Creator Dell LE has a different location C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic Shared\Sonic Central\Main\MediaHub.exe - but even then rightclicking doesn't have the option you mention.

Perhaps I missed something...

Thanks again for your help.

 

Sorry if my post confused you, but you already have the XP native burning software enabled, as the last two options that you show prove this. What I originally wanted you to do was click on the "My Computer" icon. This should bring up a page that shows all your drives. Select whichever drive is your CD burner and right click on it. This should have brought up a menu with properties listed at the bottom. Click on properties, and you should see what I mentioned in my previous post. If you still experience problems, there are some freeware apps in the Back Up section of the Download page that do a great job. DeepBurner XP is one of them.

 

Hi Novice, thanks, my mistake.

It seems there is something malware-ish in the system - if I had realised earlier I'd have not asked these questions - yet. Sorry. When it's sorted I'll do as you suggest and see if that helps.

Thanks again.