Package to CD does not write to my CD burner, can someone help?

[Frank]

I am trying to use Package to CD with PowerPoint but when it starts to write
to CDit seems to hang. I waited 3 hours the other day and finally had to
shut the computer down. I need help.

 

[David M. Marcovitz]

Even though it seems like the obvious choice, Package to CD is usually not
the best way to go. Try Package to Folder instead. Then, use your normal CD
writing software to write the folder to the CD (on Windows XP, this might
simply involve dragging the folder to the CD drive under My Computer and
clicking the button for writing the files to CD).
--David

David Marcovitz
Author of _Powerful PowerPoint for Educators_
http://www.loyola.edu/education/PowerfulPowerPoint/

 

[Sonia]

Don't try to write directly to a CD. Instead, use Package to Folder and then
use your CD burning software to move the contents of the folder (not the folder)
to the CD.
--

Sonia Coleman
Microsoft PowerPoint MVP Team
Autorun Software, Templates and Tutorials
http://www.soniacoleman.com

 

[Sonia]

Slight correction. Don't drag the folder to the CD. Do drag the *contents* of
the folder to the CD. The autorun.inf and Viewer files MUST be in the root
directory of the CD in order for autorun to work.
--

Sonia Coleman
Microsoft PowerPoint MVP Team
Autorun Software, Templates and Tutorials
http://www.soniacoleman.com

 

[Frank]

Thanks to both of you, but does this mean that I can only do it this way, and
"package to CD" does not work the way it should? This was the main reason
for me upgrading to Office 2003. I have some presentations that I need to
burn to CD and have them autorun.

If possible can you give me detailed instructions? I use XP and Roxio is my
main CD burning software.

Thanks, Frank

 

[David M. Marcovitz]

Check out "Make an AutoRun CD" from the PPT FAQ:

http://www.rdpslides.com/pptfaq/FAQ00037.htm

To answer your other question, yes and no. Package to CD does what it is
supposed to do, but it is very limited. For one thing, I believe that it
does not recognize all CD burners. Given it's limitations, it is probably
a bad idea to use it, particularly when you have much more sophisticated
CD burning software already. However, using Package to Folder and copying
all the contents of the folder should work just fine for you.

--David

--
David M. Marcovitz
Director of Graduate Programs in Educational Technology
Loyola College in Maryland
Author of _Powerful PowerPoint for Educators_
http://www.loyola.edu/education/PowerfulPowerPoint/

 

[Sonia]

If you look closely, the function is Package *FOR* CD. PowerPoint doesn't have
the capability to write to a CD. It hands the files off to Windows for the
writing to CD task. If Windows doesn't recognize your drive, or if your CD is
not blank and formatted correctly, it won't write.

If you use Package to Folder, all of the really critical things are done for
you. All you need to do is go to the folder and copy its *CONTENTS* to the CD.
I don't use Roxio, so I can't tell you how to use your software, but it's not
difficult.