Checklist: Nero Express Basics

From the desk of: Sam C. Chan

Checklist: Nero Express Basics

April 10, 2006 (Updated: August 31, 2006. Added Disc Duplication, and Tips section)

This checklist covers the 3 most common operations: burning a data disc, duplicating a disc, and an burning an ISO image to disc. It is based on Nero Express 6.6.0.16, the final build of 6.x version. It might also apply to earlier versions, with slight discrepancies in wording and menu sequence.

Burning a Data Disc:

Insert blank CDR or DVD+R disc.
Which recorder? Select CDRW or DVD device* accordingly.
What type of disc? Select Data, then Data Disc (1st menu, 1st option).
Disc Content screen:
- Use Add button, or
- Drag & Drop the files/folders you want into the window
Watch the scale near bottom. Verify max space, and total in-use does not exceed the yellow line. Trim selections if necessary.
Click the Next button.
Disc name: Enter an electronic label for the disc, ex: MyPhotos
Writing speed: (dropdown) 24x for CDR, 4x for DVD+R (these are safe choices)
Check the box: Verify data on disc after burning
Click the Burn button.

Duplicating a Disc:

Insert the disc you wish to copy (data, audio, VCD, or some DVD) to the drive.
Select Copy Entire Disc (4th menu item)
Verify the source & destination drive (no need to specify CD or DVD)
Writing speed: (dropdown) 24x for CDR, 4x for DVD+R (these are safe choices)
Check the box: Verify data on disc after burning
Click the Copy button.
The original will be copied into a buffer, and you'll be prompted to insert a blank disc.

Burning an ISO Image to Disc:

Obtain the ISO image file and store it on your hard drive.
Insert blank CDR or DVD+R disc.
Which recorder would you like to use? Select CDRW or DVD device* accordingly.
What would you like to burn? Select Disc Image or Saved Project (5th/last item)
Navigate/browse to the ISO image file, select it, and click the Open button.
Writing speed: (dropdown) 24x for CDR, 4x for DVD+R (these are safe choices)
Check the box: Verify data on disc after burning
Click the Burn button.

Tips:

Optical disc burning is a relatively complex and unreliable process. Many potential problems could arise, and some of them are not easily noticed.

Clearly label all discs immediately, using a wide felt tip permanent marker.

You should always turn on the Verify data on disc after burning setting, for routine, multiple archival copies.

Even with the Verify data on disc after burning setting checked, you should still reinsert the disc after successful completion, to visual confirm that the copying is done correctly, with the content you expected, by browsing thru folders, and checking the total size.

If the disc is being sent away for something critical, you should use a special utility to compare file-by-file against the source; or better yet, use the disc as it is intended to be used: such as installing the program on it, or test use of the data files it contains.

* If you don't have DVD burning capability, this step is not applicable. (Note: A so-called DVD combo drive can read DVDs, and can burn only CDs not DVDs.)