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General discussion

How do I burn a data DVD-R from an iBook with 10.3.9?

Jan 1, 2008 6:37AM PST

I'm a Windows guy and completely new to Apple. To help a family member who's even worse than I, I want to know how to burn a backup data DVD-R from his 5? year old iBook running Mac OS X 10.3.9. The iPhoto Library folder to be copied has a lot of family photos and is maybe 3.2 GB.

I have an external DVD-R burner for our Windows computers that expects USB 2.0 connections. I don't have a CD of applications, and I want to hook it up to his iBook. We use Nero on our PC's, but I read that's not good for Apples. Looking for freeware only for the iBook. Does the iBook already have a good burning program to make a DVD-R? (If yes, where do I find it in the iBook?) It's to copy only photo files (data) on one occasion - nothing special is needed.

This is the iBook:

Machine Model: iBook
CPU Type: PowerPC 750 (2.3)
Number Of CPUs: 1
CPU Speed: 800 MHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 640 MB
Bus Speed: 100 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 4.6.4f1

System Version: Mac OS X 10.3.9 (7W9Cool
Kernel Version: Darwin 7.9.0

By the way, does this iBook have only USB 1.0?

FEEL FREE TO EDUCATE ME ON THE BASICS - I'LL APPRECIATE LONG, DETAILED STEP-BY-STEP ANSWERS!! (I can fix our Windows machines but don't want to take any chances on this iBook.)

Many thanks!!

Discussion is locked

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Burning a DVD.
Jan 1, 2008 7:15AM PST

That iBook only came with USB 1.0 which is not the best thing to be burning a CD from. It's not impossible though.
The external connectivity of choice for the Mac is Firewire (IEEE1394) which every Mac is fitted with.

If the DVD burner is recognized by the OS, then it is possible to burn a DVD merely by dragging the files onto the DVD icon that appears on the desktop.

This would be your first line of attack. Plug the DVD burner into the Mac, power up the DVD burner and insert a DVD. Try a movie first and if it appears and the DVD player starts, you are making progress. Move onto a blank DVD. If there is no reaction from the Mac, you will need software to burn the disk. Burning software of choice for the Mac is Toast. This is not free.
You can find a program called Burn Here which works quite well. Your main problem is getting the Mac to recognize the Burner.

Most CD/DVD burning software works is much the same way. Drag the files into the window and click the burn button

I have removed your post from the other forum

Good luck.

P

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Follow-up Q on a Firewire - USB 1.0 link, if any
Jan 5, 2008 9:20AM PST

Dear Mr. macfixit: Thanks for your help. I may try to hook up our DVD burner to that iBook tomorrow. But burning 3.2GB through USB 1.0 may take an eon. Question regarding the Firewire: Is there such a thing as a cable that has Firewire plug at one end (to plug into the iBook) and USB plug at the other end (to plug into the DVD burner? Does that work? I doubt it, but what do I know?

By the way, as far as I can tell, this iBook is "Dual USB" with 12" screen at 800 MHz speed. Still think it's only USB 1.0?

Thanks again.

glnz

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No cable like that
Jan 5, 2008 10:32PM PST

Firewire and USB are totally different protocols and as such there is no easy way to convert one to the other. Certainly nothing as simple as sticking the appropriate plugs on each end.

I still think that this is a USB 1.0 device.
This seems to confirm it

You could test the burning theory by seeing if a CD will mount on the desktop of the iBook. That will, at least, give you hope for the next stage. If a CD does not mount, then the rest of the exercise becomes pointless.

Let us know

P