How to burn CDs with free and open source Infrarecorder

If your new laptop or desktop has a built in CD or DVD drive, chances are you can create your own music, data or live disc. Live discs allow you to boot outside of your Windows operating system to try other operating systems like Linux, or to troubleshoot problems.

Infrarecorder is easy to use, free, open source and will enable you to create a CD or DVD with your data, music or a live disc from an iso file.

First download the installer. If you are running 64 bit Windows, choose the x64 version.  Here’s how you can check if you need the x64 or x86 (also known as 32 bit) version.

Once downloaded, open the downloaded program and install Infrarecorder.  Once installed double click Infrarecorder from your desktop or the Start menu to open it.

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To burn an image file, from the list of options, select Write Image. Browse to the directory where the image file is located.

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Select Open, check or uncheck the options you prefer for burning, then select OK. Infrarecorder will now burn the image file.

To burn a data or music disc, select the appropriate option in the first step above.

For more information, consult your local IT professional.

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Should you install 32 bit or 64 bit software?

Do you need to install new software but do not know whether you can use the 32 or 64 bit version?  In general it is better to use 64 bit software as it can use more physical memory and take advantage of your computer hardware’s other 64 bit features.

You can use 64 bit software if you are running 64 bit Windows.  Here’s how you can check.

In Windows 7 or earlier versions , click the Start button on the lower left and select Control Panel from the menu.

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In Windows 8, drag your mouse to the right of the screen and allow the charms to appear.

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Select Settings and Control Panel. 

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In the Control Panel options, select either System or System and Security then System, depending on the type of menu you are presented with.

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In the System window, the System type field will show you the number of bits Windows is.

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As more and more hardware and software vendors support 64 bit, consumers are able to take advantage of 64 bit features like bigger memory space.  For more information, consult your local IT professional.

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Fix Failed Windows 7 Update

Does Windows keep telling you that the computer needs to restart to finish installing updates even after you have already restarted the computer repeatedly?  Here’s how you can fix the problem.

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It is paramount to install these updates correctly because getting the latest updates means getting the latest security fixes that prevent infections from compromising your system.

Before trying anything else, run a System Restore:

In Windows 7, click the Start button, click the Accessories folder, then System Tools, and select System Restore.

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In Windows 8, use the mouse to swipe the right edge of the screen of the cursor, then click the Search Charm.

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In the box that comes up, type restore point and click Create a restore point.

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Choose the last date your computer worked correctly before the failed update. In the System Restore Wizard window, select the restore point that corresponds with that date. If the wizard doesn’t display the date in question, check Show more restore points. 

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After you have found the correctly dated restore point, click Next. Then select Finish to allow Windows to run the wizard and reboot.

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After rebooting, run Windows Update again.

If Windows fails to update again, malware may be the culprit. Malwarebytes anti- malware is a useful tool that can remove these types of infections that block updates. For more information on how to remove malware, please refer to the following article.

If the failed updates are not the result of malware, try the Windows Update Troubleshooter. It is a free Microsoft diagnostic tool that can sort out update problems.

If all of the solutions mentioned above cannot rectify Windows update, try rebooting one more time. Sometimes temporary problems arise that prevent updates from installing. A simple reboot often clears Windows of these problems.

As a last resort, you can reset windows update. This is a very complicated process that involves precisely following the steps described in this Microsoft support article.

For more information on this or other issues with your PC, consult your local IT professionals.

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