Burn Data Files to a DVD+R

[sickboy_xl]

I have several folders and files on my computer that I would like to burn to a DVD+R just for storage purposes. I have Nero 6 (it came with my computer and has Smart Start and Nero Express), and when i go to burn Data, it will only accept CD-R's. I even went into the configuration and selected the DVD over-burning option. Still no luck, it just tell's me to insert a CD-R. I've heard of people burning Data DVD's no problem with Nero 6. Do i have a basic version or something? or am I just doing something wrong? Any ideas?

[byteguy]

First the stupid question, are you SURE that your drive can WRITE DVDs and not just read them? I have a laptop that is like that. It can read/write CD but only read DVD.

Otherwise, it could be that the version of Nero you have is crippled but I'm still betting on the drive issue.

Go and get the excellent (and free) CDRtools Frontend

Click on the "CD Info" tab
Click "Device Info"
Click on "Start"

You will get a long report that includes something like this:

  Does read CD-R media
  Does write CD-R media
  Does read CD-RW media
  Does write CD-RW media
  Does read DVD-ROM media
  Does read DVD-R media
  Does not write DVD-R media
  Does read DVD-RAM media
  Does not write DVD-RAM media
  Does support test writing

That will tell you everything you can and cannot do.

Also, the tool is excellent for doing all your burning and the author is very responsive. He just fixed an odd little Audio CD issue for me (the same day I pointed it out to him).

[sickboy_xl]

Yes I absolutely have a burnable drive. I've been burning movies on DVD+R's with no problem whatsoever. I just simply want a program that can burn data files to DVD+R's. Maybe my version of Nero is messed up, but I am not about to go and spend money buying a new version of Nero. It works fine for everything else (although it does freeze up once in a while). Any ideas of a freeware program i could use? or maybe a suggestion as to how to get Nero to burn data without problems?

[SingSing]

Nero 6 supports bot CD and DVD. You have to choose what media you want to use. Click the top left corner drop down menu, and change the media type from CD to DVD.

[Jim44]

Any ideas of a freeware program i could use?

ImgBurn 2 in "Build" mode works perfect for this. Just backed-up ~15 DVDs worth of stuff using it.

(I also use it for all my DVD Video burning as well.)

Jim

[redwudz]

Another dumb question. You did change the pull down setting from 'CD' to 'DVD'? (Upper left in 'Nero Burning ROM') Then you select 'DVD-ROM(ISO) for making a data disc.

You can also use ImgBurn for this: https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=313860&highlight=imgburn

EDIT: You guys are ahead of me.

[fritzi93]

Any ideas of a freeware program i could use?

Sure, try CDBurnerXPPro. It's actually pretty good. I ditched Nero a couple years ago and went with RecordNow. But one fine day I needed to create a bootable disc and RN can't do that. So, CDBurner having been recommended here numerous times, I tried it. Still have it on my machine.

As to Nero, you could uninstall and run the NeroCleanTool available at their website. Run a registry cleaner afterwards for good measure. Re-install Nero and for goodness sake don't install InCD (or any other packet-writing apps). Also, Nero has a history of software conflicts with other burning programs, e.g. Roxio, RecordNow, etc. Not everyone experiences such problems by any means, but a significant minority anyway. Best not to have too many other burning applications on your machine if you stick with Nero.

Good luck.

[byteguy]

Any ideas of a freeware program i could use?

CDRtools Frontend can burn DVD Data disks (and CD data, and CD audio, and rip audio, and burn DVD Video, and give you info on your drive or media, and...) and it's free AND it is portable (no install needed and a portable-mode switch to leave system ini files alone).

[sickboy_xl]

Yup. It looks like I have a fragmented version of Nero 6, because I simply have Nero Smart Start and Nero Express as my only options to open the program. Nowhere is there a screen like the one that SingSing displayed in his posting. I guess I will try deleting it fully and reinstalling a proper version of it, as NeroClean didn't seem to help at all. I think I've seen used copies for fairly cheap at my local computer shop. I'll give it a try, as well as a couple of the other freeware program suggestions you guys suggested.

[Tom Saurus]

sickboy_xl: Thanks for creating this topic. I just made a couple of data DVD's with ImageBurn2.0 and it appears to have turned out well.

Jim44: Thanks for informing sickboy_xl that ImageBurn can be used to create Data DVD's. I use it to build ISO files, and then burn them for my DVD Authoring Projects. I had no idea that it was capable of making Data DVDs as well.

[jagabo]

From Nero Start Smart select Nero Burning ROM. When Nero Burning ROM starts up it gives you the New Compilation dialog (the one that SingSing pointed out). If you don't get the New Compilation dialog (it can be disabled in Nero's preferences) select File -> New to bring it up. Change the top left pulldown from CD to DVD. From the list below that select DVD-ROM (ISO) the press then New button.

[SingSing]

Nero express is the version of nero comes free with many DVD burner.
You can get to the screen I showed, by clicking the [Nero] button on the bottom left corner.

[SingSing]

You can choose DVD or CD right on the Nero express start up screen.
Just click on the drop down menu on the top right corner.

[sickboy_xl]

I followed SingSings' advice for clicking on the NERO tab to open up the main screen. I had never used that tab before, and when i clicked on it, it simply shut the whole program down. After trying this a couple times, I deleted the entire thing, and gave ImgBurn a try and loved the results. Really simple and straight forward (and free). Just today, after passing by the local computer shop I inquired about an actual copy of Nero 6 on CD, and was able to obtain a used one for under $10. I installed it and everything works the way it should, main screen and all. Yes! I am in the process of burning Data DVD's without any problems or issues (alternating between both programs actually just to figure them each out a bit). It's nice to have some extra free space on the ol' HD. Thanks for all your help folks. This forum has never failed me...ever. Keep it up!

[Jim44]

Jim44: Thanks for informing sickboy_xl that ImageBurn can be used to create Data DVD's. I use it to build ISO files, and then burn them for my DVD Authoring Projects. I had no idea that it was capable of making Data DVDs as well.

No problem, glad to help.

Also, you can burn DVD Video via "Build" mode as well, without needing an ISO, if you like. Just select the parent directory (the one that contains the VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS folders) and off you go.

("Build" mode was new for Ver 2, and has been how I've used the program the majority of the time. It works equally well for creating my Data & Video DVDs.)

Jim

[sickboy_xl]

Oh Oh! Nothing ever quite goes smoothly does it?!?! After reinstalling Nero and getting it to work properly (or so it seemed), i got around to using NeroVision Express. I've used this program numerous times to insert avi files to transcode and burn to DVD without any problems. Today, using it for the first time since I reinstalled Nero I ended up with this message.....any ideas what happend?

[SingSing]

There are about three application packages in Nero 6. Install all of them.

[redwudz]

I don't think I would recommend installing the 'InCD' component of Nero, unless you have a specific use for it. And if you uninstalled Nero, you need to run Nero Clean Tool to remove Nero remnants that the regular uninstall doesn't get. You can find it at the Nero website.

[sickboy_xl]

I gave it one more try. I uninstalled EVERYTHING and ran the Clean Tool I got from the Nero website. I then reinstalled all application packages in Nero 6 (avoiding that pesky InCD). I rebooted and had the same problem when running Nero Express once again. I don't understand what happened. It worked fine before i originally reinstalled it, and now that everything else works perfectly, NeroExpress won't transcode. I'm really stumped here.

[sickboy_xl]

I got a copy of an OEM version that was supposed to come with my DVD ROM. It only has half the features, but works again. However it won't burn data...Oh well I'll stick with ImgBurn and keep my half assed Nero.

[hech54]

I use Prassi Ones for my data backups and burning VIDEO_TS folders...quick and painless and very inexpensive.