Writing files, in theory, is not a particular problem for any modern computer user. Here the question is not even how to write files to disk (stationary, external or similar optical media), but rather what software to choose. But it’s quite elementary that you can use the means of the operating systems themselves, which, however, seem to most users, to put it mildly, too limited in their capabilities. Of course, one cannot disagree with this, but when there is not the right program at hand, and you need to copy the information to some medium immediately, they will do.
Writing files to disk: types of discs and basic recording methods
To begin with, we will briefly dwell on what media can be used to store information on them, and what are the main methods that allow the recording process to be carried out. As for the media, everyone knows that they can be divided into stationary and removable.
Removable media includes devices for multiple rewriting (floppy disks, external HDDs, flash drives, memory cards, optical disks of the RW standard) or one-time recording (R-disks). Based on what kind of medium is used to save information at the moment, recording methods differ. For stationary or removable devices that are similar to each other in type, the standard actions provided for in the tools of any operating system are applied. In the case of optical media, third-party programs have become more common, the capabilities of which are much wider than standard Windows tools.
How to write files from a computer to an external drive?
To begin with, a few words about transferring information to media like regular hard drives, which include some removable media. How to write files to these types of disks? The usual procedure may consist of a set of copy (cut) and paste commands, which is most often used.
If you want to transfer files and folders to the root of removable media, and not to other directories that are present on it, the simplest is the “Send ...” command, which is called from the right-click menu of PCM for the items marked in the file manager. Everything is simple here, and absolutely all users know about such actions.
How to write files to a CD-ROM or similar optical media: the most popular programs
The main problem of choosing a method and means of recording concerns mainly only those situations when optical media are used as the final medium for storing the necessary information. Let's see how to burn files to a DVD disc or any other similar media. Now this does not play a special role.
In principle, you can use the system tools. after inserting an empty disk into the drive, Windows will offer to write files to the media (you can also use the direct send command, as is the case with USB drives or external HDDs). It will be enough just to select the necessary elements and confirm the start of the process. Please note that recording after selecting files and folders can be delayed, but then temporary components will remain in the system that will not be automatically deleted. In this case, you will either have to write them down or get rid of them manually. But the tools of the system are extremely inconvenient and very limited in their capabilities.
Whether the case is specially designed for this third-party software packages! Among them, the most popular are applications like UltraISO, Nero Burning ROM, Alcohol 120% and many others.
It is easy to understand that they all relate to applications that are designed to work with disk images and virtual drives. Previously, you could come across programs designed exclusively for recording or cloning discs, but now they are practically not used.
Recording information using Nero Express as an example
Now let's see how to write files to a CD-R or any other empty optical media. As already mentioned, all disks of the R-standard are suitable only for a one-time recording of information, which will subsequently be impossible to remove from the medium. Some users try to enable multisession mode for such disks, but, alas, adding files does not work. Sometimes it doesn’t work even when recording to RW disks, and the added files become unreadable, especially when recording audio and video with an attempt to play on household DVD players.
But we were distracted. So how to write files to disk? Take the Nero Express utility as an example. First you need to decide what type of information will be recorded. In the program, you can quite simply create a regular data disc by including any types of files in the recordable kit, or you can record data of only a certain type (music, video, graphics).
Particular attention should be paid to the fact that when creating a regular audio disc, for example, from MP3 format files, conversion to the final CDA format will be performed automatically. But, since CDA takes up more space with respect to MP3, the number of recordable files will be limited by the capacity of the optical media itself. If you record exclusively an MP3 collection with a standard bitrate, depth and sampling rate (128 kbps, 16 bit, 44 100 Hz), there will be much more such files on the disc. An increase or decrease in at least one of the indicators, respectively, will lead to a change in the free space occupied on the carrier.
But it was an example for multimedia. And you can, after all, initially add the necessary files to the image, and then write it to disk. In this case, the process looks even simpler.
What should be considered when writing different types of data?
How to write files to disk, in general terms should already be clear. Now a few words about the nuances. Immediately pay attention to the installation of finalization in a one-time recording mode (Disk-at-Once). Even for rewritable discs, using this option will mean that adding files will not be possible. The second point concerns multimedia content.
Unlike the maximum recording speed set, for example, for copying office documents, for audio and video it is best to use the very minimum that the disk itself or the program used is designed for. It is considered behind the scenes that, if possible, it is best to set the speed to 2x (maximum 4x, since far from all optical discs are capable of working at such minimum speeds). In almost all applications of this type, there is also a function of checking data after writing to disk (verification). It is also desirable to use it. Finally, even when using RW discs, you should not record on them too often, as this can lead to their rapid deterioration.
A few words in the end
Here is a brief summary of everything about recording information on different media. As you can already see, preference was given exclusively to narrowly targeted applications. But even many audio editors, software music players, word processors or engineering applications also know how to perform similar actions. But why then did we consider the described options for action? Yes, only because if you learn to work with the above packages, dealing with all the rest will not be difficult.