How Stuff Works!

[neokm]

I gave my grandson a CD Burner for Xmas, (the internal type you install in a tower). It came with CD driver software, 2 blank CD's and an installation manual void of any 'how to' instructions beyond the physical installation.  

Between then and now , his father (my son), finally got around to install it  - - - as I might have guessed, he called me awhile ago and admitted that he was clueless as to how it's suppose to work.  

After a quick google search I stumbled on this site: http://www.howstuffworks.com/cd-burner.htm

I thought this site might be of interest to others on the TS board as well.  I see some nice links and diverse topics. Looks like a site I will be using also (like father, like son)

[kelly]

Nice.  

Was that for a mac or PC?

[neokm]

Dare I say PC (the kind with the crooked 'e') - and the burner I gave as a gift is a Samsung.  When he called this AM he mentioned that he was running a 'refrag' program on his 'c' drive - which sounded to me like 'rebuilding the desktop' sequence - I guess the kids do a number on the operating system. I'm sure they'll figure it out - - - most likely it'll be my grandson that does.  They seem not to be interested in reading 'step-by-step' procedure - but rather the 'trial and error' method of learning.  Usually takes me a day to sort out my desktop after a visit with us.  I'm still finding BMX and extreme sport url's tucked away in various folders long after they leave.

[kelly]

Hey no problems with it being a PC.  

Just might not be as easy to add stuff.

He was referring to Defrag. Unless he was in a Shooter Game where you Frag others.  

Defrag is similar in macs and windows machines.

http://www.askkenny.com/Defrag.htm

http://www.askkenny.com/index.html

[Diana]

Hi,

I can't really tell at what stage the install has progressed, but if one loads the drivers from the CD-ROM before doing anything else, then do the physical installation, there is usually enough Plug-N-Play factor that the CD-burner will be recognized for what it is and be made available.

The one thing they'll still need though is the software that allows them to burn what they want. The CD-burner should have come with some rudimentary burning software..(maybe in the same CD-ROM as the drivers?) They'll have to install that software before it can be actually used to burn CDs.

So, what is their status? Is the hardware installed and not recognized? Is the hardware installed and recognized but burning isn't possible? Is the hardware installed, recognized, burning software installed and they're just clueless where to start from there?

If they're truly needing help, post more details and I bet we can get them going..  

see ya,

[neokm]

Thank you.  As far as I understand things - the driver was installed  but he was in the process of a 'defrag' operation and could not tell me exactly what was showing up on his system.  And also - what is on the CD as far as 'burning' software.  In addition, he is in New Jersey and was on his way to church and I'm in New York about to head out for dinner with friends till about 7:00pm - I'll know more later.

[kelly]

Hey Mike. I missed that you had a question about installing the CDRW.  

http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/answerst...3388783,00.html

Roxio is good. Just like for macs.

http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/product...3394207,00.html

[neokm]

Good Morning:  Thanks Kelly. Actually I did not have a question about installation - I had intended to share what I thought to be a useful "How To" URL.  As usual TS always brings a lot to the table.

Speaking of tables - - -yesterday I posted that my wife and I were about to leave to have dinner with some friends.  Had a great time and had just polished off one-half of the most delicious roast of pork.  Our host  reentered the kitchen to refill the platter to realize that his two dogs had somehow managed to pull the remaining roast to the edge of the counter and successfully obsconded with it  and      polished it off on a persian rug as their table.

I have not as yet found out if my son ever did get the CD Burner up and running.

[kelly]

Amusing about the dogs. I think I saw that on The Three Stooges once.