Using the Computer

Using the CD or DVD Drive

Your computer may have one or two

optical drives — CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, and/or DVD+RW/+R drives — depending on the model you purchased. Some computers have a combination drive (known as a combo drive), which combines the functions of two drives into one. These drives feature either a DVD+RW/+R drive and a CD-RW drive, or a DVD-ROM and a CD-RW drive. Optical drives allow you to perform several different activities, such as storing information, listening to music, or viewing and creating movies.

DVD-ROM and DVD+RW/+R drives take longer to begin playback than CD drives because they must determine the type of media being played. If any of the drives fails to play a disc, check to make sure that the disc is inserted with the label facing up and properly seated in the drive.

Getting Started

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